One of Washington’s great travel experiences…
Explore small communities, river valleys, foothills, and alpine county including Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens.
Yes, the White Pass Scenic Byway is a beautiful drive… But, the best reasons to visit the byway are for the things you can DO here, more than the things to SEE. From East to West, West to East, the byway offers World Class recreation. For many visitors within the region or around the world, the byway is a route for exploring Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens and Mt Adams. For those in the know – either canny locals or niche recreationists from around the country – there are amazing recreational opportunities all along the byway, in every season.
Trophy fishing the Cowlitz… catch and release fly fishing the Tieton… boating Riffe and Mayfield Lakes… hiking the Pacific Crest Trail… camping in dense forests… Mount Adams mountaineering… watching elk at Oak Creek Wildlife Area… wilderness horsepacking… backcountry skiing… rock climbing along the Tieton… downhill skiing at White Pass… snowmobiling… rafting the Tieton… mushrooming the Gifford Pinchot… Visit again and again – there’s plenty to see and do. There’s no place like it in Washington State (or anywhere else!).
ROAD TRIP!
The byway of course is a tremendous tour in itself. But not far off the byway lie some of the state’s most beloved volcanoes, wild backcountry, historic locales, lakes, waterfalls…for starters.
Mt. St. Helens Windy Ridge
Immerse yourself in the heart of the Mt. St. Helens Blast Zone and experience the stark contrast between the lush old-growth forest and the blown-down forest. To experience the many beautiful and fascinating hikes […]
East Side Loop
Explore the east end of the White Pass Scenic Byway and discover the dramatic and rugged beauty of this wilderness area. Spend time touring spectacular Mt. Rainier National Park. Witness unique geologic formations and […]
Mt. St. Helens Johnston Ridge
Forever changing over 200 square miles of rich forestland into a gray, lifeless landscape, the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens has had an impact so powerful, you have to see it to believe […]
Mt. Rainier Loop
Explore the east end of the White Pass Scenic Byway and discover the dramatic and rugged beauty of this wilderness area. Spend time touring spectacular Mt. Rainier National Park. Witness unique geologic formations and […]
Small-scale agriculture, rural residential communities, and rolling hills are prominent features of the west end of the byway.
The Lakes District includes one of the most dramatic driving moments on the corridor – viewing the clear waters of area lakes surrounding the road and the green backdrop of the forested shorelines.
The broad lowland floodplain of the Big Bottom Valley is surrounded by forested foothills, ample wildlife, and occasional views of the nearby volcanoes.
Expansive scenic vistas, limitless outdoor adventure, and three of the Cascade’s most splendid mountain peaks welcome visitors. Meet Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams – a trio of the nations’ most magnificent treasures.
In the Naches Valley, the byway winds through fruit orchards and vineyards, with farmstands offering fresh seasonal produce and local wines.
Byway News
Mount St. Helens Special Recreation Permits & Reserved Tickets Available Online
It’s a good time of year to begin planning for spring and summer adventures on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Permits to climb Mount St. Helens, camp overnight in [...]
Energy Northwest Leading the Charge with EV Charging Stations Coming to the Byway
RICHLAND, Wash. – Electric vehicle drivers in Washington will soon have eight more options for charging their rides along U.S. Route 12. Construction is set to begin on new [...]
Packwood Mountain Festival on April 29-30
The Packwood Mountain Festival returns this year with live music the evening of April 29 and a fun run the following morning. The White Pass Country Museum will also [...]
Next State Land Free Days are March 9, March 19 and April 22
No Discover Pass is required to park on those three days OLYMPIA – March 3, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites visitors to enjoy a [...]
Mount Rainier National Park Announces Temporary Closure of Grove of the Patriarchs
Deputy Superintendent Kevin Skerl today signed an emergency regulation closing the Grove of the Patriarchs, in the southeast corner of Mount Rainier National Park. The closure is effective immediately [...]
Forest Service Waives Fees for Veterans Day
Vancouver, WA, – Nov. 8, 2021 – The USDA Forest Service will waive fees at day‐use recreation sites in Oregon and Washington on Nov. 11, 2021 in honor of Veterans Day. [...]