Leave the Coffee Shops Behind

As a region, the Pacific Northwest has hard-to-define boundaries. 

Oregon and Washington are definitely included. Idaho and British Columbia are often considered honorary members, and some would also grant that status to Northern California and Montana. Citizens of these states are adamant about whether they live in the region or not, often disagreeing about where the ever-elusive borders lie.

As a state of mind, the Pacific Northwest is easier to describe. It’s the epitome of wild freedom, a place where mountains and lakes are big and personalities are bigger, where the pace of life rows slow and smooth like a kayak across a volcanic lake, where coffee and beer are deified, and where nature rules and locals will do whatever it takes to protect their land.

To achieve this state of mind, you’ll need to venture deep into the wilderness beyond the big lights of Seattle or Portland. So, let’s unpack the American portion of this rapturous region state by state to see what elements bind them together and whether only their borders set them apart.

Washington Wonders

Washington put the WA in WAnderlust. The Evergreen State attracts over 100 million visitors per year thanks, in no small part, to its numerous natural gifts. Islands, beaches, mountains, volcanoes, gorges, lakes, waterfalls, wildlife—the state has more to offer than some countries. For travelers, it’s best to divide Washington into geologic sections and visit those that appeal most.

For many, that would be the Peninsulas Region, across Puget Sound from Seattle and encompassing the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas.

The star attraction here is Olympic National Park, almost 1 million acres of moss-draped rainforests, driftwood-strewn coastlines, and snow-capped mountains. Designated both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve, it’s an environmental amusement park. Popular “rides” include investigating marine life up close in the tide pools at Mora’s Hole in the Wall, kayaking the clear waters of glacially formed Lake Crescent, snapping photos of dramatic sea stacks at Ruby Beach, and hiking the Hall of Mosses Trail through the ultra-lush Hoh Rain Forest.

Heading southeast, the Volcanoes Region is erupting with options for thrill seekers and thrill avoiders alike. The former group should head to Mount Rainier National Park and its namesake 14,410-foot-tall active volcano and 28 named glaciers.

This fire-and-ice combo creates a geologic wonderland of massive rock formations, old-growth forests, and wildflower meadows, ideal for hiking, white-water rafting, and rock climbing in the summer, and for tackling the 1,500-foot vertical drop of the popular White Pass Ski Area in the winter. On the other side of the activity spectrum, the captivating exhibits at the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center and a peaceful drive past grazing elk herds along the White Pass Scenic Byway are fine reasons to visit.

Other sections of the state to explore include the Gorge Region, an 80-mile stretch along the Washington-Oregon border. Here you’ll find river-carved canyons amid a slew of unique man-made attractions, such as a full-scale concrete replica of England’s Stonehenge monument a short drive from the Maryhill Museum of Art and massive public telescopes at the Goldendale Observatory. For grape goodness, more than 300 wineries blanket the undulating hills of the Wine Country east of the Cascade Range, serving up some of the nation’s best syrahs and merlots.

The Aura of Oregon

Like its neighbor to the north, Oregon is partitioned into regions to help travelers find their way. But there’s a special beauty to the state, an essence that cannot be divided to conquer. Instead, any time you spend here is a race to experience as much as possible: fiery sunsets over the boulder-studded coastline, hot-air balloon rides over sprawling vineyards, and wild horses galloping through the desert.

One ambitious goal would be to seek out Oregon’s Seven Wonders. You may not tick them all off your to see list, but each brings you closer to understanding Oregon’s unique appeal. On this list is pristine, volcano-topping Crater Lake—the nation’s deepest lake, punctuated with a cinder cone island. At Mount Hood, the state’s highest point at nearly 11,250 feet, 1 million forested acres await to explore via skiing, hiking, and camping—or just staying at peak-top Timberline Lodge (technically not one of the seven wonders), built in 1937 by FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps.

At the Painted Hills, otherworldly rock formations crafted by millions of years of volcanic ash deposits form vibrant stripes of gold, green, and red. The Oregon Coast offers 363 miles of public land decorated with massive sand dunes, dramatic rock formations, historic lighthouses, and fishing villages.

No matter which Wonder you aim for—including the other three: Columbia River Gorge, the Wallowas, and Smith Rock—there’s most likely a food trail nearby to fuel your adventures. Plotted by passionate food lovers, these trails make it easy to taste the freshest offerings from local farmers, fishers, chefs, and brewers. On the North Coast Food Trail, for example, you can find fresh seafood, craft beverages, and bakeries while driving from Astoria to Cannon Beach, while wine and cheese are your primary targets when going from Manzanita to Bay City. That’s Oregon—a parade of amazing scenery and incredible food.

Idaho: More Than Potatoes

When comparing Idaho to Oregon and Washington, some say it’s more of the same, minus the coast. The natural wonders—striking mountains, broad rivers, thunderous rapids, quaint towns, towering sand dunes, and expansive wildlands—are all present here and just as epic to behold. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore this under-the-radar state; it has a few aces in the hole.

Let’s start with its 30 state parks. Every state has state parks, but Idaho has some doozies. Chief among them is Shoshone Falls Park, home to the “Niagara Falls of the West” thanks to spring waters tumbling 212 feet into the Snake River over a rim nearly 900 feet wide. Then there’s Bruneau Dunes State Park, where you can rent a sandboard and surf down the tallest freestanding sand dunes in North America, with the highest reaching 470 feet. And at Thousand Springs State Park, below-ground water constantly bursts out of the canyon walls to cascade down volcanic cliff faces throughout the park.

Springs are not unique to that last park. In fact, Idaho boasts hundreds of natural hot springs, with more than 120 deemed “soakable,” or safe to sit in, the most in any state. No matter the time of year, you should bring your swimsuit and be prepared to soak it up while enjoying the view. Because that’s when Idaho—and perhaps the entire Pacific Northwest—is at its best: when you’re not just surrounded by its unquestionable beauty, but also immersed within it.