Getting to the Methow Valley
The Methow Valley is tucked into the east slopes of the North Cascades, in North Central Washington. We are a 4 1/2 hour drive from both Seattle and Vancouver B.C., and a 3 1/2 hour drive from Spokane. From approximately late April through mid November, the scenic North Cascades Highway, the most desirable route from Seattle or Vancouver BC, winds through beautiful North Cascades National Park and offers specatular scenery. You may want to allow some extra time for exploration! (The North Cascades Highway is closed in winter.) Driving from the west...Via North Cascades Highway (Hwy 20)From the north or south, take I-5 to Burlington and follow signs to Hwy 20 east, North Cascades Highway. Hwy 20 will take you through the towns of Sedro Woolley, Concrete, Marblemount and Newhalem before climbing Rainy Pass and Washington Pass, and then dropping down the east side of the mountains into the Methow Valley. There are no major services after Marblemount so be sure to fill your gas tank! (We also recommend stopping at Cascadian Farms just before Marblemount for some delicious homemade ice cream or fresh organic berries.)
Via US-2 (Stevens Pass) or I-90 (Snoqualmie Pass) and Hwy 97 (Blewett Pass) US-2 (Stevens Pass): Take US-2 over the Cascades, and continue through the city of Leavenworth. Just before Wenatchee, exit to US-97 towards Okanogan and Spokane. Keep going straight and cross the bridge over the Columbia River. (You can also take Hwy 97 alt. for a sidetrip through Chelan.) After crossing the Columbia River, turn left (north) on US-97. When you reach Pateros, turn left on Hwy 153 to Twisp and Winthrop, and North Cascades National Park. Hwy 153 will merge with Hwy 20 just before Twisp. I-90 (Snoqualmie Pass) and Hwy 97 (Blewett Pass): Take I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass, and just after Cle-Elum take the exit for Hwy 970 to Wenatchee. Hwy 970 will merge with Hwy 97 and take you north over Blewett Pass. When you reach the stop sign at US-2, turn right. Just before Wenatchee, exit to US-97 towards Okanogan and Spokane. Keep going straight and cross the bridge over the Columbia River. (You can also take Hwy 97 alt. for a sidetrip through Chelan.) After crossing the Columbia River, turn left (north) on US-97. When you reach Pateros, turn left on Hwy 153 to Twisp and Winthrop, and North Cascades National Park. Hwy 153 will merge with Hwy 20 just before Twisp.
Driving from Spokane...Via Grand Coulee (this is the shortest route, and takes you across the Columbia Plateau, as well as past Grand Coulee Dam)Head out of Spokane on US-2 West. In Wilbur take Hwy 174 towards Coulee. In Coulee, continue on 174 towards Bridgeport. 174 will merge into 17. Continue to Brewster, and then turn left onto Hwy 97 to Pateros. At Pateros, turn right on Hwy 153 to Twisp and Winthrop, and North Cascades National Park. Hwy 153 will merge with Hwy 20 just before Twisp.
Via Colville and Republic (this route is more mountainous and a bit more scenic, but also longer) Head north out of Spokane on Hwy 395 to Colville. Turn left (west on Hwy 20) and continue through Kettle Falls, over Sherman Pass, and through Republic, ending in Tonasket. Turn left on Hwy 97 south to Omak and Okanogan. In Okanogan, turn right onto Hwy 20 west to Twisp and Winthrop. You will go over Loup Loup pass, and drop down into the Methow Valley.
Flying...If you are flying, the nearest major airports are Seattle or Spokane. From Seattle, you can book a connection on Horizon Air to Wenatchee. You would then rent a car for the 2 hour drive to the Methow Valley from Wenatchee. Or, consider renting a car in Seattle and enjoying the gorgeous drive over the North Cascades Highway.Alternately, Catlin Flying Service offers chartered flights directly to the Methow Valley from Seattle. We'll be happy to pick you up and drop you off at the airport once you're here. However, keep in mind that there is no car rental available in the valley!
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