Winthrop, Washington is a beautiful small town on the eastern side of the base of the North Cascades. Winthrop epitomizes the vibe of the Wild West and small town arts and culture. Besides being the gateway to the North Cascades, there are plenty of other things do in Winthrop, Washington. It is an outdoor lover’s paradise, a fall lover’s dream, a summer and winter paradise, a cabin connoisseur’s delight, and even a foodie’s haven.
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History of Winthrop, Washington
Winthrop was, of course, originally settled by Native Americans living along the banks of the Methow River. Eventually fur trappers and then gold miners came to the area, permanently settling in the 1880’s. The Duck Brand Saloon built in 1891 was the only surviving structure of a fire in 1893, after which the town was rebuilt and is now the town hall. Most gold mining had ended by 1915. In the 1970’s, Highway 20, also known as the North Cascades Highway, was nearing completion and Winthrop would be on that route. Community leaders began planning how to make their town stand out and settled on the idea of a Western theme restoration. They utilized the same design architect as the Bavarian themed town of Leavenworth, Washington. I’d call their plan a success!
Getting to Winthrop
The small town of Winthrop, Washington is along the scenic North Cascades Highway, aka Highway 20. From the West side of Washington, it can be accessed from I-5 to Burlington and exiting for 20 East. From Eastern Washington, you begin your Highway 20 journey by first traveling to Omak.
Things to do in and Around Winthrop
The population of Winthrop is quite small at just under 400. There is essentially one main street through town. But it is packed with shops and an eye catching American frontier aesthetic that captures the imagination. Shops feature local artists and crafts, clothing, outdoor gear, beer and wine, and a variety of food.
Stroll the Winthrop Boardwalk
Throughout the main street of town on both sides are a wood plank boardwalk so it even sounds like you’re in the old wild west. You’ll find unique shops like glassblowers, locally made crafts, clothing, iron works, hats, and outdoor gear. When you purchase something from a member of Methow Made, it’s created locally from locally sourced materials.
Fun things to do around town include having a coffee and a baked treat at the Rocking Horse Bakery (or coffee next door at Lariat), getting a facial, massage, or wax at Nectar, getting ice cream and fudge at Sheri’s Sweetshop, grabbing a beer at the Old Schoolhouse Brewery, or having a beautiful healthy salad on the deck at Jupiter.
Hike in the North Cascades
The North Cascades are quite possibly my favorite place on earth. They are arguably the most beautiful place in Washington state. And although the North Cascades have an overwhelming number of hikes and sites to visit, you can certainly see some of the best of it in one day. Of all the things to do in Winthrop, none is more unmissable than a visit to the North Cascades.
Simply driving the North Cascades highway from Winthrop to the Diablo Overlook is one of the prettiest drives there are. Some of the best scenery and trailheads are roughly 30 minutes from Winthrop. Don’t pass up this opportunity to do a hike in these mountains. You won’t regret it (unless you sprain your ankle or something. Then you’ll possibly regret it).
Best Hikes in the North Cascades
This could be a blog post in and of itself, but I’ll keep it simple. For a shorter, easier hike with a big reward, try Blue Lake. It’s a fantastic fall hike to see larches and not too strenuous. Shown below:
For a longer, moderate day hike, try Heather Maple Pass Loop. This one is particularly magical in the fall during larch season. See below:
For overnight backpacking hikes, two of the most beautiful are Cascade Pass and Sahale Glacier Camp and Hidden Lake Lookout. Both are more difficult and require a permit for camping. See Hidden Lake then Cascade Pass below:
Keep in mind, none of these hikes are accessible until late June at the earliest and sometimes late July if it’s a late summer and by October, they’ll possibly be snowed in.
Visit the Shafer Museum
The Shafer Museum was the home of one of the original families of Winthrop, the Warings. Known as the “Waring Castle,” the home was prominently large and impressive for the times. In 1948, it was opened as a museum to display the history of the Methow Valley to the public. Admission is by donation and the indoor museum is closed during winter. Tours are given in the summer on Saturday mornings. I’m so glad we took the time to visit this last time. All the old machinery, appliances, and tools were quite fascinating!
Methow Valley Activities
The Methow Valley has the largest system of cross country ski trails in North America! You do need to purchase a trail pass in the winter, however in the summer you can bike the trails without a pass. CLICK HERE for trail maps.
Other outdoor adventure activities include mountain biking, River Rafting, Golfing, and Horseback Riding, guided fly fishing, and much more.
Smokejumper Base
The Methow Valley is the birthplace of smokejumping in 1939 as a way to quickly and efficiently reach remote forest fires in difficult terrain. Seasonally (and when Covid restrictions aren’t in place), you can tour the base. Only a small group of people each year are chosen to be hired as smokejumpers and they go through rigorous training.
Pearrygin Lake State Park
Pearrygin Lake is a small pretty lake with picnic tables and camping about 4 miles outside Winthrop. It’s a classic Methow scene. With snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and fat tire biking popular, it’s a spot for all seasons. In the summer, you can fish, camp, kayak, paddle board, and boat here. There are also 6.5 miles of hiking trails. A Discovery Pass is required with some exceptions.
Barnyard Cinema
I haven’t actually attended a movie here, but the Barnard Cinema looks like such a neat place to see a new film. They also have a lounge with beer, wine, and espresso that opens and closes 30 minutes before and after a show – perfect!
Where to Stay in Winthrop
There are a handful of hotels and Airbnbs in town and plenty in the areas surrounding town. You can find some of those HERE but Airbnb actually has a more extensive selection.
If you want to be within walking distance of all the businesses in town, which I usually prefer, take a look at Hotel Rio Vista. The location can’t get much better. If you’re looking for something with a kitchenette and a hot tub, check out River’s Edge Resort.
If you need dog and budget friendly check out the Gardner View Cabin or the Observatory Inn. If you want charming and quirky, you must stay at Park Place Apt located above Purple Sage. It is pink and perfectly located.
An obscene amount of rustic cabins and not so rustic cabins can also be rented near the tiny town of Mazama, which is even closer to the North Cascades entrance.
Where to Eat in Winthrop
For such a tiny town, Winthrop has a disproportionate amount of good places to eat, in my opinion.
For fine dining, try Arrowleaf Bistro or Copper Glance. For a tradition “saloon” experience, try Three Fingered Jack’s or the Old Schoolhouse Brewery for a unique setting. For healthy lunch, definitely Jupiter. For great coffee try Lariat or the Rocking Horse Bakery (which also has amazing baked goods) and is so cute inside. And for ice cream, fudge, and candy, check out Sheri’s Sweet Shop right on the corner of the main street. It’s always a bustling spot in town. They even have a Western themed miniature golf course.
Bonus: Where to Boondock in Winthrop
Literally one of my all time favorite spots we’ve dispersed camped in the van was outside Pearrygin State Park with a view of the rolling hills and distant jagged peaks. You take Bear Creek Road past Pearrygin Lake then take a left on forest service road 100 into the Methow Wildlife Area. There’s a small creek crossing that was quite shallow and straightforward. The road was in good condition and there are a few different areas that made good overnight camp spots. Remember to always leave no trace!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this summary of things to do in Winthop, Washington. It’s such an underrated area of the state with so much beauty! Please save this post for your visit in the future!
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