Nestled under the base of Mount Rainier National Park and surrounded by the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Packwood is the perfect destination for those looking to escape to the mountains and relax in a cozy charming cabin. From summer wildflower hikes in Mount Rainier to hitting the winter slopes at White Pass Ski Area, this authentic small mountain town has plenty of year-round outdoor adventures to choose from.
Where to venture
Packwood is an outdoor playground for mountain enthusiasts. In the summer, the ohanapecosh entrance to Mount Rainier National Park is only 15 mins away. Our favorite hikes in this area are Box Canyon, Grove of the Patriarchs and Silver Falls. If it’s your first time to the park, the popular Sunrise and Paradise areas are 1-hour away from Packwood in the summer and early fall months.
If you don’t want to battle crowds and prefer quieter trails, Packwood Lake and 4 miles of trails in Skate Creek Park welcome you nearby. If those mountain areas aren’t enough, Goat Rocks Wilderness, Tatoosh Wilderness, Mount St. Helens, or Mount Adams offer endless hiking and exploring within a short drive away.
In winter, Packwood is the base camp to hit the slopes or ski 18 kilometers of nordic terrain in the White Pass Ski Area. This winter wonderland offers snowy landscapes and majestic views of Mount Rainier.
Where to hang out in town
After a day in the mountains, Packwood is filled with authentic small-town character. Recently featured in the Wall Street Journal, Packwood is gaining nationwide attention as an under-the-radar spot for mountain adventures. But little do people know that tourism and recreation have always been part of Packwood’s identity.
To learn more about Packwood and the area’s fascinating history, start your trip with a visit to the White Pass Country Historical Museum in town. This museum offers educational programs, hands-on exhibits and plenty of historical artifacts, photos and documents detailing the history and culture of White Pass to Kosmos, Washington.
Aside from those recommendations, Packwood also features Nachos Mexican, Basecamp Coffee, White Pass Taqueria, Packwood Spirits & Quilts and other small businesses to support.
Where to stay
While there are a few local hotels and lodge options, you’ll want to find a cozy cabin to complement your mountain escape. Packwood has become a little cabin land to rent Instagram-worthy A-frames, modern mountain homes, or classic log stays.
[Photo Credit: @solephoto]
For A-frames, stay at our “The Mountain House,” an A-frame chalet that celebrates mountain life with a rustic-chic PNW style (staythehouses.com), “Heartwood,” a modern new A-frame, or the “Little Owl Cabin” (littleowlcabin.com) featured in the ‘Cabin Porn’ book. Either way, there is a wide range of cabin rentals for every type of getaway, style, group size, and budget found on Airbnb or VRBO.
[Photo Credit: @riparide and @backcountrybohemians]
When to visit
While there is plenty to do all year round, each season offers unique experiences, unlike the others. Winter offers fantastic skiing and snow activities at White Pass Ski Area. Spring is quieter as the Chinook and Cayuse passes and some roads to visit Mount Rainier are still closed but perfect for a nature escape at a cozy cabin. Summer is busy season with wildflowers at Mount Rainier paired with sunshine weather. And fall is the right time to escape the crowds with full access to Mount Rainier.
During Memorial Day and Labor Day long weekends, the largest flea market in the western US happens in Packwood over four days. Shop for bargain antiques and artisan gifts or just enjoy various fair food vendors. For more visit details visit packwoodfleamarket.com.
Start planning Packwood as your next vacation spot to world-class hiking trails at Mount Rainier National Park or crowd-free ski runs at White Pass Ski Area. It’s even a destination for non-outdoorsy people that come for unique cabin stays that match this one-of-a-kind mountain town.