Explore Washington's outdoor playground in Methow Valley, 4 hours from Seattle. - Axios SeattleLog InLog InAxios Seattle is an Axios company.
Explore Washington' s outdoor playground in the Methow Valley 4 hours from Seattle
Summer and winter are my favorite times to visit the Methow Valley, but springtime isn't too shabby for a family hike through wildflowers. Photo: Lewis Kamb/Axios.Few places can match the scenic beauty, year-round recreational opportunities and sheer magic of the Methow Valley — Washington's outdoor playground less than a four-hour drive from Seattle.The 28-mile jaunt through the valley along Highway 20 — from in the northwest, to in the Southeast, with Western-themed smack in-between — offers a variety of lodging, leisure and dining options for visitors. What to expect: Washington's version of Montana's Paradise Valley, dropped next to the rugged North Cascades.Outdoor fun in any season, with hiking, biking, climbing, camping, fishing, rafting, skiing and plenty of seasonal events. My thought bubble: My friends and family have been visiting the Methow (pronounced MET-how) Valley for years. My favorite times to visit:During the high-heat of summer, when the Methow River drops low enough to wade and runs clear enough to sight fish.In the deep snows of mid-winter, to take advantage of its.My family last voyaged to the valley in May, with wildflowers still in bloom across the Cascade foothills. Where to stay
Rentals, motels and campgrounds abound. Some options:, with individual cabins near Mazama., for easy car camping on a big lake near Winthrop. a hip, newly renovated hotel on the banks of the Twisp River. What to do
Take a hike. The nonprofit rates its favorite area trails. Go for a bike ride. offers gear and advice about road, mountain and fat biking. Ski or snowshoe the winter trails. Check out in Mazama for rentals. Fly fish the Methow. Sun Mountain Lodge's has gear, guides and fly tips.Hoping a fish will rise before the sun sets, my kid chucks another fly onto the Methow. Photo: Lewis Kamb/Axios. What to eat and drink
For breakfast, try 's bagels and baked goods. Lunch at on homemade sandwiches and draft beer. Try happy hour at in Sun Mountain Lodge for cocktails and sweeping views. Supper? Burgers at the in Winthrop, washed down with pint of local brew. The bottom line: It's a big valley; explore it — whether it's your first visit or your hundredth. Related Axios guide: Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member. More Seattle stories
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