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.
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:
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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!
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