Underrated Places to Visit in the Pacific Northwest
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While there are many places to visit in the Pacific Northwest that have probably been on your bucket list for forever, there are quite a few underrated spots in the Pacific Northwest that you should add. These are likely to be a little more difficult to access than others, but it also means that they tend to be a little less crowded than the super popular places like Mt. Rainier, Crater Lake, and Olympic National Park.
Permits and Fees Required for Must See Places in the Pacific Northwest
Passes and Fees
There are four passes that you might encounter/need depending on which of these Pacific Northwest travel destinations that you pick. They are as follows:
- Interagency/America the Beautiful Annual Pass – This pass is also known as the “national parks pass” but it offers so much more. It also allows use of many US Forest Service sites, recreation areas, and Bureau of Land Management land. It is currently $80 for 12 months.
- Northwest Forest Pass – This pass is not necessary if you already have the Interagency/America the Beautiful Pass as this pass gets you access to everywhere that the Northwest Forest Pass does. However if you are local and not planning to visit any other federally-managed lands outside of Oregon and Washington, you will save money by purchasing this pass. It is currectly $30 for 12 months.
- Oregon State Parks Pass – For state park areas in Oregon you can purchase an annual pass for $30 or 24 month pass for $50. Here is the link. Daily Oregon State park permits must be purchased on site.
- Washington Discover Pass – Similar to the state parks in Oregon, Washington has its own parks pass for its state parks called the Discover Pass. Daily passes and annual passes can be purchased online at this link here.
For more information about these passes including fee-free days, check out these links: Oregon State Parks Pass, Washington Discover Pass, Washington Trail Association “What Pass Do I need FAQ”, and US Forest Service Pass information.
What to Wear when Exploring Pacific Northwest Hidden Gems
You never know just quite what you might get in the Pacific Northwest, but it really depends on the season. This area can be pretty wet (especially in the fall, winter, and spring) – so not surprisingly you may need different gear than when you hike in other areas of the country. In addition to the ten essentials, make sure to pack a rain jacket, wear waterproof shoes, gloves, and bring extra layers – I prefer wool baselayers from WoolX Wool.
Leave No Trace
A really important piece of exploring these underrated places in the Pacific Northwest is protecting the nature that you are visiting. The best way to do this is to learn and follow the 7 principles of Leave No Trace. These are:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
If you want to learn more about these principles or find out ways that you can give back, check out the Leave No Trace website here.
Underrated Places to Visit in the Pacific Northwest
Painted Hills in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Painted Hills is located about 2 hours east of Bend, OR. Because it is a little more diffcult to get to, it is not as highly visited as you would expect making it one of the best underrated places to visit in the Pacific Northwest.
Painted Hills is one of the “Seven Wonders of Oregon” and it is definitely worth the visit as it lives up to its name. The Painted Hills are brightly colored red mounds that will certainly have you feeling like you were transported to the American Southwest. Check out this post if you want to know the best Painted Hills Trails. When you are done in Painted Hills, be sure to check out these things to do in Bend, Oregon.
Riverside State Park
Eastern Washington is definitely and underrated place to visit in the Pacific Northwest. One of the best hidden gems is Riverside State Park near Spokane, Washington. This park is beautiful and you will be so surprised to learn that it is only about 15 minutes from downtown. Riverside State Park has hiking trails and a campground. Especially impressive is the Bowl and Pitcher area of the park and it is featured as the main photo of this blog post. Check out this post if you are in the area and want a list of things to do in Spokane.
White River Falls State Park
White River Falls State Park features an incredibly impressive waterfall that is almost never talked about. This is likely because the waterfall itself sits alone about two hours east of Portland with very little else around it besides farmland. The area is remote and it even reminds you of that before you begin your hike down to get a better view of the falls. White River Falls is one of the best waterfalls in Oregon and certainly should make it on your list of places to visit in the Pacific Northwest.
Leavenworth, Washington
Ready to visit a Bavarian-inspired wonderland? If so then head up into the Cascade Mountains of central Washington and enjoy all that the city of Leavenworth has to offer.
See, this is one of the best places to visit in the Pacific Northwest with a wide variety of chalet-style buildings that sit all along Front Street.
In fact, many of these businesses are home to German restaurants that serve authentic German food and beer.
However, you can also stop by The Nutcracker Museum and see historic nutcrackers on display before heading out to the Waterfront Park.
The latter is a lovely little spot on the Wenatchee River where you can watch Ospreys and Eagles in their natural habitat.
If you can, try and visit in October for Oktoberfest since many local micro-breweries in the area, like Icicle Brewing Company and Blewett Brewing Company, host a wide variety fo festive events.
Pro Tip: Christmas is another great time to visit since the decorations and atmosphere of the town are incredible.
North Cascades National Park
The North Cascades really is something else and in my opinion it is one of the best national parks on the west coast. It is one of the least visited national parks in the country making it a very underrated must see Pacific Northwest destination. This national park is about as close as you can get to Canadian views but still in the US. There is no cell service, food or gas in the park so make sure to plan your trip in advance. Bug spray and sunscreen are essential for this park.
Some of my favorite trails are: Thunder Knob, Blue Lake, Maple Pass, and Cutthroat Pass. The road closes in the winter so check before planning your trip and late season snow lingers at higher elevations into the summertime. The best times to visit are summer and fall – and the fall has beautiful larches which are incredible.
Mount Rainer National Park
Also located in Washington, Mount Rainer National Park sits just southeast of Seattle and covers an area of around 369 square miles.
It is home to Mount Rainer, an iconic local mountain covered in a glacier that stands at 14,410 feet tall.
However, if you’re not in the mood to hike then you can always drive 6,400 feet into the air to Sunrise and take in excellent panoramas of Mount Adams and Mount Rainier.
You could also stop at Paradise Overlook too and see meadows filled with vibrant flowers all summer long.
Just don’t forget to visit the Paradise Visitor Center too so that you can get handy visitor info after enjoying the views.
Other fun things to do include hiking Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls, seeing the 380-foot-tall Comet Falls, and enjoying a sunset hike to Fremont Lookout.
Columbia River Gorge (Washington Side)
The Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge is home to so many beautiful waterfalls that it frequently overshadows the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. This is why the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge is one of the most underrated places to visit in the Pacific Northwest.
Some of my favorite hikes in the Columbia River Gorge include Dog Mountain (weekend permit required during the spring-fall), Wind Mountain, Beacon Rock, and Coyote Wall. This side of the Columbia River Gorge is also known for some excellent wildflowers in late spring. Check out this post for more information on the best wildflower hikes in the Columbia River Gorge.
Olympic National Park
Located in Washington state. Olympic National Park is one of the best places to visit in the Pacific Northwest if you’re looking to explore old-growth forests, temperate rainforests, and see incredible mountains.
Yes, the weather is a bit challenging since it rains quite a bit. But, that just means that you should plan to spend at least 2+ days here.
This way you have plenty of time to backpack through the rainforest and climb to the summit of Mt. Olympus with its many glaciers.
You should also hike to Hurricane Ridge so you can enjoy the sweeping views all around you before heading to Lake Crescent to do a bit of boating.
Finally, visit the small town of Forks which is home to Hoh, one of the biggest temperate rainforests in the country, and the legendary Hall of Mosses Trail.
Underrated Places to Visit in the Pacific Northwest FAQs
What is the Best Time to Visit the Pacific Northwest?
The best and most popular time to visit the Pacific Northwest is any time between June and early October, with early September through early October being my favorite time to visit.
After all, this weather is great and the natural landscape comes alive with vibrant flowers and greenery. Just be aware that wildlife season starts in July and lasts through September.
What is the Pacific Northwest Best Known For?
The Pacific Northwest region is best known for rainy weather, a stunning coastline, lush forests, and epic mountain ranges.
What are 5 states in the Pacific Northwest?
The Pacific Northwest includes the states of Washington, Oregon, California (northern section), and Alaska.
It’s also a region that includes the Canadian provinces of the Yukon and British Columbia.
Is the Pacific Northwest Beautiful?
Yes, the pacific northwest is exceptionally beautiful. It is a region that is known for its dramatic coastline, vast mountains, exquisite rainforest, rich lakes, raging waterfalls, and sweeping forests.
Underrated Places to Visit in the Pacific Northwest
Hopefully this list of hidden treasures in the Pacific Northwest helps you plan an excellent trip to the region that is full of both the classics AND the spots that are not quite as crowded. Have you been to any of these must see Pacific Northwest spots? Or are they on your list? Let me know in the comments!
You May Also Enjoy These Posts:
- Best Waterfalls in Oregon
- Hiking the Enchantments in Washington State
- Best Waterfalls near Portland
- 10 Places to Visit in Oregon
- Best Wildflower Hikes in the Columbia River Gorge
- Best Columbia River Gorge Hikes
- Best Hikes near Portland Oregon
- Easy Hikes near Portland Oregon
- The Perfect Oregon Road Trip Itinerary
Let’s Stay in Touch…
Andrea Cannon is a pharmacist, triathlete, gratitude practicer, and avid traveler. For both business and pleasure, she has taken more than 250 flights yearly for the past 3 years. In addition to being a travel hacking enthusiast, Andrea enjoys hiking and spending time with her husband (Austin) and dog (Dex). You can connect with her via her blog www.beaUTAHfulworld.com or on Instagram @andreafcannon .
5 thoughts on “Underrated Places to Visit in the Pacific Northwest”
So many gorgeous places! I hope to take the RV there next summer!
Summer is an excellent time to visit. I hope you have a great trip.
Those all look so beautiful!! I hadn’t heard of the first two, but I’ve wanted to see the Columbia River Gorge for a long time. Thank you for all the helpful tips!
Wow! All of them look lovely. You gave me a serious dose of wanderlust!
All of these places are gorgeous. I was never a fan of hiking until recently. Your pictures sum up why hiking is excellent: the breathtaking views are just perfect.