Alpine Skiing & Snowboarding

The Chinook Byway is home to the state’s only destination alpine ski resort, Crystal Mountain. Come ski where the snow is deep and the terrain vast enough to keep even the most advanced skiers and snowboarders busy all season long.  First-rate skiers are drawn to the challenging expert runs comprising nearly half of the terrain and the 1,000 acres of skiable backcountry areas.  Beginners find the gentler terrain the perfect grounds to gain their footing. Crystal Mountain boasts 57 marked runs, half a dozen basins and stunning views of Mts. Rainier, St. Helens, Adams, Hood, and Baker. This premier ski area is commonly found on lists of top North American ski resorts. Bring the family, kids 10 and under ski for free! Find rentals, a ski school, children’s programs and clinics for all ages and skill levels. Relax and catch your breath at the Campbell Basin Lodge or dine at the top of the mountain at the Summit House Bistro. With over 350 inches of snowfall annually it’s a skier’s paradise.

Bird Watching

The graceful flight of a blue heron. The rat-a-tat-tat of a woodpecker. The excitement of finally discovering that hard to find species. Bird-watching is a favorite hobby for many in the Pacific Northwest and the Byway is an excellent place to spot feathered friends of all kinds.  With the varied landscapes across the Byway, a rich diversity of birds can be spotted. Popular locations for birding along the corridor include Federation Forest State Park, Sunrise in Mount Rainier National Park, Tipsoo Lake at the summit of Chinook Pass, and down the Bumping River Road.  Whether you consider yourself a serious birder or simply a casual observer, this activity is an outstanding option for connecting with nature.

Bird Watching Sites

Boating

Located in the heart of the William O. Douglas Wilderness Area, the crystal clear waters of Bumping Lake offer fun and sun on the water. Come explore this eighteen mile long lake and look upon the great craggy peaks that remain snow-capped till late June. A small marina open May to September offers supplies, boat rentals and a boat launch. From swimming and water skiing to a joyride across the open water, feel that sense of freedom that comes with boating. Make a day of it or stay a week. Camping and picnic areas are located nearby.

Camping

Whether you seek the peace and quiet of camping away from it all or use your campsite as a hub for days of outdoor adventure, you’ll find what you’re looking for along the Byway. Myriad of campgrounds exist along the corridor offering a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Pack up the tent or ready the family RV and set out for a few days away in the woods. A popular option is the Dalles Campground, about halfway along the Byway. It offers camping amongst old-growth forests with nearby fishing, hiking, nature trails and a view of the giant Granddaddy Tree. Travel down the Bumping River Road and choose from five different campgrounds. This area is brimming with recreation including water sports on Bumping Lake. With so many outdoor options for fun all around, you can’t go wrong with camping on the Chinook Byway. Come stay a while and discover the beauty and adventure of this wilderness paradise.

Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing

Arguably the most peaceful of winter sports, cross country skiing and snowshoeing showcase the snowy white wonderland of the Byway during the winter season. Quiet forests blanketed with fresh snow offer solitude, while the snowcapped mountain views are simply stunning. Watch for wildlife, or their tracks left behind in the snow. Six non-motorized sno-parks along the Chinook Byway offer miles of groomed trails for your recreational pleasure. Immerse yourself in the season’s beauty with a trip into the heart of the forest. Whether you prefer the crunch-crunch of the snow under your shoes, or the shooshing glide of cross country skis, these trails will have you returning year after year.

Fishing

Cast your line, then sit back, relax and wait for the magic to happen .…A multitude of fishing options exist along the Byway from quiet streams and fast moving rivers to large lake fishing.  Come reap the reward of a peaceful and simple day with your fishing pole. Streams and alpine lakes near the Byway are home to many varieties of trout.  For creek fishing, visit Nile Creek and Rattlesnake Creek where the cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing is good.  Or catch your dinner on the American and Naches Rivers, fishing for Rainbows, Brook and Cutthroat Trout.  If you’re looking to take your boat out on the lake, consider 1300-acre Bumping Lake, known for fine fishing of Rainbow, Cutthroat, Silvers and Whitefish.  Launch your boat for a small fee at the marina and enjoy a peaceful respite on this crystal clear lake.

Golfing

Visitors with a need to swing their clubs can satisfy their cravings at two popular golf courses located near  either end of the byway in Naches and Enumclaw.  Nestled in a small valley at the eastern end of the Naches Valley, Suntides Golf Course is surrounded by residential homes, bountiful fruit orchards, the scenic Naches river, and nearby dramatic rock cliffs inscribed with ancient Indian petroglyphs. Just east of Enumclaw on the byway, go for that hole in one amidst one of the most natural golf settings in the state at the Enumclaw Golf Course. Wildlife abounds in the shadow of Mount Rainier at this 18 hole golf adventure that has Boise Creek meandering through it. Both courses are sure to provide visitors with a memorable day of golf along the Chinook Scenic Byway.

Suntides Golf Course, Town of Naches

Hiking

To truly immerse yourself in the rugged beauty along the Chinook Scenic Byway, tie up a pair of sturdy hiking boots and hit the trail.  From easy nature walks on groomed surfaces to thigh-burning uphill climbs, limitless trails are yours to be discovered.  On the western end of the Byway, choose Federation Forest State Park for an easy walk through magnificent stands of old-growth forests.  At the summit of Chinook Pass, hike a section of the world-famous 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. And on the drier, eastern side of the Byway, the Bumping Lake Recreation Area is crisscrossed with trails for all skill levels.  Choose a hike along a babbling creek, wander through a wildflower meadow or meander through quiet forests.  With three designated wilderness areas, two national forests and a national park, come back to hike again and again and never see the same place twice.

Hiking in the Mt. Rainier National Park Area
Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park

Horseback Riding

Ride amongst quiet forests, along meandering rivers and through wildflower fields blanketed in blossoms.   Take in the unspoiled beauty of Chinook Pass and its surrounding wilderness on horseback.  Several trailheads offer specific horse facilities although most trails within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National forests are generally open to horse users.   On the eastern end of the Byway, Rattlesnake Trailhead, Crow Lake Way Trailhead and Deep Creek Horse Camp all offer camping as well as hitch rails.  For those traveling down Bumping River Road (FS 1800), Fish Lake Way Trailhead and Swamp Lake Trailhead are popular options for camping and riding.  And don’t forget your Northwest Forest Pass!  This pass is required in most camping areas along the Byway.  For those looking for a day out on the trail with a guide leading the way, contact Chinook Pass Outfitters, offering guided day and overnight trips.  For more information on riding in the wilderness, contact the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

Mountain Biking and Cycling

If the adrenaline rush of a fast paced ride through the forest is your idea of outdoor fun, look no further than the Chinook Scenic Byway.  The forest roads along the Byway offer miles of heart-pounding routes with varying lengths and levels of difficulty.  In the Greenwater area, Skookum Falls is well known as one of the best routes of extreme single-track in the state, while nearby Sun Top offers a classic mountain biking adventure offering stunning Mt. Rainier views and thigh-burning climbing.  In the Cliffdell area, Fife’s Ridge and Little Bald Mountain offer rides on the drier side of the Byway, coursing their way through scenic stands of Douglas fir, ponderosa pine and western larch.  Remember to keep in mind that bikes are prohibited on trails within Mt. Rainier National Park and all national forest wilderness areas.

Off-Road Vehicles

Leave the pavement for an adventure off-road!  Visit the Byway and discover the freedom and fun of an afternoon on a motorcycle or 4x4.  Down the Bumping River Road, find the Mud Springs and Sweet Home trails for your 4x4.  On motorbike, Quartz Mountain and Indian Flat offer fun for advanced riders.  For those new to the sport, try Little Bald Mountain and Gold Creek; great routes for beginners.  Many area routes lead to scenic vistas while others offer exhilarating forest treks.  Come join the fun on the Chinook Scenic Byway.

Naches Ranger District ORV Trails

Picking and Gathering

Each year, the forests surrounding the Chinook Scenic Byway offer up the bounty of nature.  Huckleberries and mushrooms are ripe for the picking!  Venture out into the wilderness and reap the rewards that Mother Nature provides.  Huckleberries can be harvested during late summer and early fall around the Little Naches River on the eastern side of the Byway.   Morel mushrooms can be found in the Greenwater area and non-commercial mushroom picking is allowed within Mt. Rainier National Park.  Be sure to check the regulations and forest guides before harvesting, and note that picking and gathering in designated wilderness areas is prohibited.  Take what you need and remember to leave some behind for the wildlife that rely on them. 

Forest Products - Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Permit Information

River Rafting & Kayaking

Combine whitewater and wilderness for a refreshing day of fun and adventure on one of the Byway’s beautiful waterways.  See the beauty of the Byway while floating down one of the area rivers. The White, Greenwater, and Clearwater Rivers offer opportunities for whitewater rafting and kayaking.  From exhilarating whitewater to the serene and calm passages, if you love being on the water, you simply must pay this area a visit.  Opportunities exist throughout the spring, summer and fall. 

Rock Climbing

Strength, control, finesse and a sense of outdoor adventure…each characteristic is intrinsic to the sport of rock climbing.  And if you fit this description, then check out the opportunities along the Byway.  Just a stone’s throw from the pass, trek up Naches Peak for an excellent Mount Rainier panorama, while nearby Yakima Peak is another ridge ramble worth taking.  From Sunrise, climb The Palisades and Marcus Peak accomplished in a loop trip offering a satisfying ramble among interesting cliff formations and that unforgettable fresh mountain air.

Snowmobiling

For the snowmobilers, it’s all about the speed and the adrenaline rush of racing through the snow-covered forests.  Eleven sno-parks surround the Chinook Scenic Byway with miles upon miles of trails.  The Greenwater Snowmobile Route off Forest Road 70 is a fantastic option, providing a 42-mile loop into the forest.  Feel the cold, fresh mountain air in your face as you race along the trail.  Experience the free feeling as you skirt across meadows and weave through the trees.  Discover this beautiful snow-covered backcountry and find out for yourself why it brings people back year after year.  A note:  be sure to familiarize yourself with your snowmobiling location and be aware of the restricted areas at all times.

Waterfall Viewing

Some people go hiking in search of wildlife; others seek mountain views and wildflowers. But just as many visitors to the Cascade Mountains go looking for waterfalls—and the Byway doesn’t disappoint. To stand awestruck at the sound and fury of nature, start with the 250-foot drop of Skookum Falls, visible from SR 410, just across the White River.  Further up the road, a moderate hike leads to 450-foot Snoquera Falls, at full force in the spring.  The half-mile hike to sweet little Goat Falls, deep in the forest, is a great family pastime.  Seekers of waterfalls can enjoy their passion all the way over the pass to Naches, visiting Union Creek Falls and West Quartz Falls, both 100-footers. The Naches Ranger District provides a complete list of east-side waterfalls.

Waterfalls in the Naches Ranger District

Waterskiing

Crystal clear water, consistently warm summer temperatures, scenic forested shorelines and the lake’s inviting glassy surface…  Come experience the exhilaration of waterskiing on Bumping Lake.  It’s hard to beat the thrill of cruising on the water while the refreshing lake water cools you from the sun.  Launch your boat from the lake’s small marina.  And if waterskiing isn’t for you, try wakeboarding or tubing.  Pack your boat, grab your gear and get ready for an unforgettable day on the water.

Wildflower Viewing

Meadows along the Chinook Scenic Byway provide a summer-long art show of nature at her most colorful. Lovers of wildflowers know that high in the Cascades gorgeous carpets of waving flowers await -- from Avalanche Lilies and Hooker Fairybells to Lewis’ Monkey Flowers and Alpine Astors.  Photographers in the know claim the summer display of alpine flowers at Tipsoo Lake, near the top of Chinook Pass, rivals any flowery meadow.  Or take a quick side trip up to Sunrise, the highest driving point in the Mt. Rainier National Park, for a walk amongst swaths of Lupine, Paintbrush and Red Mountain Heather. Flowers begin to bloom in late June and continue through August, depending on  snow melt, elevation and weather.

Wildlife Watching

Many times it’s the highlight of a vacation…spotting a deer lazily grazing in an open field, or watching a fox dart into the trees.  To view an animal in its natural habitat is a thrill that can stick with an individual for a lifetime.  Check out the numerous opportunities to view wildlife along the Byway.  Pack your binoculars, bring your camera and keep your eyes peeled.  At Fife’s Peak Viewpoint, look for mountain goats climbing the mountainsides.  Near the top of the pass at Tipsoo Lake, view hoary marmots playing in the meadows and browsing mule deer.  Stop in at Pleasant Valley Campground and watch the river for Chinook salmon each August when they make their way upstream to spawn.  Be on the lookout for elk, bears, hawks, eagles and many others; all area residents of the Byway.

Oak Creek Wildlife Area - Elk Feeding in the Winter

Wine Country Travels

Just beyond the eastern reaches of the Chinook Scenic Byway is the gateway to Yakima Wine Country. A breathtaking drive across the mountains brings you to the oldest grape-growing area in Washington State. Stop at a restaurant along the Byway and you're likely to find several delectable varieties of wine produced in the Yakima Valley. Three wineries are located within miles of the byway's eastern end in Naches.  Enjoy a glass of wine at a tasting room right on Highway 12 in Naches and two more just up into the hills overlooking the scenic Naches Valley.  Continue traveling east and the wineries dot the countryside with over 80 establishments in the Upper and Lower Yakima Valleys, just beyond Naches. A leisurely day (or more!) spent in Yakima Wine Country is the perfect compliment to a restful and relaxing vacation along the Chinook Scenic Byway.

Rattlesnake Hills Wine Trail