NORTHEAST WASHINGTON ITINERARY
A Trip Full of CenTRAL AND NORTHEAST Washington’s Gems
As you set off from the vibrant city of Seattle, the road leads you into the heart of Central Washington, where rolling hills, golden wheat fields, and picturesque farms create a serene backdrop. Cradled by the majestic Cascade Mountains, you'll pass through vibrant orchards and vineyards, indulging in the region's delectable fruits and world-class wines. Continuing eastward, the journey takes you to the enchanting Wenatchee National Forest. Lose yourself in the tranquility of its ancient forests, where tall evergreens reach for the sky and crystal-clear rivers flow through mossy glens. Enhance your connection with nature by hiking through pristine trails, fishing in serene lakes, or simply soaking in the peaceful ambiance. Fall asleep each night under a blanket of stars, listening to the sounds of nature whispering around you, rejuvenating your spirit, and immersing yourself in the true essence of tranquility.
Our meticulously maintained camper vans allow you to travel at your own pace, basking in the joy of the open road. Experience a road trip that goes beyond adventure as you forge connections with nature, create lasting memories, and find your peace within the spectacular landscapes of Central and Northeast Washington.
Some of these roads can be closed during Winter due to snow, so please check WSDOT for road conditions.
Day 1: Seattle to Lake Wenatchee State Park
(About 110 miles, 2 hours 10 minutes)
Instead of starting in the grind of the i90, you can take the VW pace through Highway 2 East to Stevens Pass. You can stop if you’re ready to grab a bite in Maltby, at Maltby Pizza for some great food, and then get a sweet treat down the street with locally made ice cream at Snoqualmie Creamery.
If you want to push further before grabbing a bite, you can always stop in Sultan at Sultan Bakery for some delicious comfort food.
Into the mountains you go! If you’re ready to hike, start your PNW Adventure at Lake Serene & Bridal Veil Falls Trailhead right as you’re coming into Index.
Next, take a caffeine break on your voyage through Stevens Pass at a local favorite, the Espresso Chalet, and enjoy a quick peek at the mountains. We think it’s one of the most scenic places to drink a cup of joe! A little PNW charm, including a bigfoot statue, accompanies this excellent pit stop.
Crossing the pass, you can wind through Ponderosa Pines until you stop for dinner at the 59 er diner. To stock up on any last-minute groceries before heading to the campsite, Midway Village & Grocery is in town.
Day 2: Lake Wenatchee State Park to Lost Lake Camping Area
(About 3 hours 42 minutes, 182 miles)
You made it through the first night of #vanlife. You’ll get back onto Highway 2 to navigate one of Washington’s most unique towns, Leavenworth. This town has shops, restaurants, and a few grocery stores. Summertime activities include river rafting, kayaking, plain old inner tubing, fishing, horseback riding, and even wagon rides. In the winter, you can enjoy cross-country skiing.
A fantastic coffee shop here is J5 Coffee, nestled between bakeries and artisan shops. If you want something more substantial, head to the Leavenworth Sausage Garden for outdoor seating and a great atmosphere. Leavenworth also has some fantastic breweries—one of our favorites is Icicle Brewing.
After seeing downtown Leavenworth, stop at Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery (2 miles south on Icicle Road on the western outskirts of town), with an excellent interpretive visitor’s center. From there, a nature trail to winds along the river, where you can see the Black-throated Gray Warbler and hear the clucks, whistles, and squawks of the ever elusive (and unseen) Yellow-breasted Chat.
Back on the road again, the drive on Hwy 97 up the Columbia River and its dam-impounded lakes show the intersection of rock and scrub with abundant water and human settlement and agriculture.
You’ll pass through Chelan County on Highway 97—wine country! If beer isn’t your shtick, or even if it is, then check out Mike Stowe and the WAVE (Winery Assault Vehicle Excursion), a Pinzgauer mobility vehicle distantly related to our VW Vanagons, at Chelan Valley Tours for a unique and fun way to tour the local vineyards.
After the tour, you’ll hit Tonasket. This is where you can end the day by grabbing any last-minute groceries at Tonasket Natural Food Co-Op.
Insider Scoop: This campground is tranquil of human activity. Only non-motorized boating is allowed on the lake. When winds are calm, one hears absolute silence – occasionally interrupted by the beautifully haunting call of the Common Loons nesting on the lake. With such quiet, one can listen to small sounds far away while experiencing the space as vast and expansive. Many bird species nest in that forest habitat. We see Yellow-rumped Warblers, Chipping Sparrows, Hairy Woodpeckers, Williamson’s Sapsucker, Mountain Chickadee, Western Tanager, and Evening Grosbeaks. The campground also hosts a Columbian Ground Squirrels colony; deer and elk occasionally pass through.
An easy mile-long trail starts in the campground and leads through the forest to gigantic Western Larch trees nearly 1000 years old. Watch the moonlight reflected in the lake’s ripples at night while listening to the croaking frogs and the winnowing sounds of the flying Common Snipe’s tail feathers.
Day 3: Lost Lake to Curlew Lake Campground
(About 41.3 miles, 1 hour 13 minutes)
Today, you have a short drive and a lot of flexibility. Continue on NF-050 until you hit Bonapart Lake Rd. You’ll pass through Bonapart Lake, where you can kayak, fish, or quickly hike around the southernmost loop at the Pippisewa Trail.
Head East on Highway 20 until you hit WA-21 N, where you’ll pass the town of Republic, which could be a great stop at a brewery, Republic Brewing Company, before taking the rest of WA-21 to your campground.
When you get to Curlew Lake Campground, there are many different activities. Camping at Curlew Lake, you can enjoy swimming and boating on the large lake’s waters bordered by homes. There are many campsites here set amidst the Ponderosa Pines and beautiful views. This state park has some warm showers that can be an excellent refresher. There’s an unexpected bonus: the trails along the lake and into the grasslands that lead out of the campground to the south – where you can find close-up views of nesting Great Blue Herons and Osprey.
Day 4: Curlew Lake Campground to Big Meadow Lake Campground
(About 82.8 miles, 2 hours)
Crossing Stevens County, taking WA-21 S and then on WA-20 E, you’ll pass through some bigger towns before heading out to Big Meadow Lake in the farthest northeast corner of Washington state, in Pend Oreille County.
The Sherman Point Loop trail is excellent for all ages if you want to get outside for a quick hike.
You’ll keep driving on WA-20 E until you hit Colville before heading out of Colville, the last town before your camp spot for the night; stop at Northern Ales Inc. and Fired Up Brewing for a quick refreshment.
Either head to the campground via Aladdin Rd or take a few hours to explore the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge located 40 miles south of the campground.
The Colville National Forest campground is designated as primitive camping: no potable water (make sure your Westy’s water tank is topped off) and no camping fees. There are picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets (which are kept very clean by the volunteer campground host). The site is popular on weekends. The lake is beautifully set in forests, bogs, and meadows.
Birds and other wildlife are a constant source of interest and entertainment, from Black-capped Chickadee, Yellow Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, and Cedar Waxwing in the shrubs and thickets. Common Ravens, Red-naped Sapsucker, A Willow Flycatcher, and Killdeers can be seen throughout the landscape. If you're lucky, butterflies, bunnies, and deer can all be seen.
Day 5: Big Meadow Lake Campground to Sun Lakes Dry Falls State Park
(About 154 miles, 3 hours 15 minutes)
You’ll come back through Colville until you reach I395 S-through Addy on Addy-Gifford Rd. Weave through Huckleberry Mountain and the Columbia River on WA-25 S until you hit US W-2, where you can follow this into Grant County. The nearby Dry Falls interpretive site is an excellent place to stop and see what the frequent massive falls that drained Missoula Lake numerous times during the last ice age were.
You’ll also be so close to the Grande Coulee Dam that you can stop, browse and learn. This mile-wide Grand Coulee Dam produces more electricity than any other facility in the United States. Grand Coulee also lifts water from Lake Roosevelt to Eastern Washington, creating the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project, providing water for new farmland.
Your camping destination at Sun Lakes/Dry Falls State Park is in the shrub-steppe habitat of Lower Grand Coulee in the Columbia Basin. This spot offers water, flush toilets, and warm showers – popular attractions that bring in more campers, especially on weekends.
Here you can go boating, rent a ski-doo or swim. Dry Falls is over 3.5 miles wide, 400 feet tall, and was once estimated to be under 400 feet of water. This area, called the scablands, stretches as far as Eugene, Oregon, and was created when ancient ice floods swept through the area.
The water in the park's lakes, marshes, and riparian habitats also brings in the birds. You can walk trails through the sagebrush along a creek, finding Bullocks of Oriole, American Goldfinch, and flocks of Violet-green Swallows gathered around pairs of birds grappling in the air and on the ground.
Day 6: Sun Lakes Dry Falls State Park to Naches
(About 128 miles, 2 hours 10 minutes)
You can hike some trails today if you’re feeling adventurous, including Cowiche Canyon Trail and Tieton River Nature Trail. If you’re looking for more of an adventurous place to walk through, Lenore Lake Caves is only a 10-minute drive from Sun Lakes Dry Falls State Park.
Once you shake your legs, take i90 from WA-17 and stop for great fruit and refreshments at Johnsons’ orchards.
When you come to Ellensburg, head South on I82 through Selah until you hit Yakima; enjoy a beverage break at one of the many breweries here, including Bale Breaker Brewery Yakima. You’re still in wine country if you want to stop and check out one of the many wineries here.
You’ll continue West through Yakima and head to Haus Creek Campground for the night. This campground is near the Tieton River, providing abundant fishing opportunities, scenic walks, and more.
If you’d like to take a detour for the night, stay at this private land Hip Camp, highly recommended by past Peace Van renters.
Day 7: Naches, Washington to Mt. Rainer National Park
(About 140 miles, 3 hours)
Don’t fret; even though you’re nearing the end of the trip, you still have some fantastic sights left to see.
Start your day by walking through some significant natural areas in Washington, including Boulder Cave Trail. This trail is located near your campground, where you can explore the natural wonders of Washington Caves.
Then head on US-12 West around Mt. Rainer until you hit Cougar Creek Campground. Stop and marvel at the lush and green landscape on this drive. Hikes and a pit stop for photos are great miles by mile.
Day 8: Mt. Rainer National Park to Peace Vans
(Approx. 101 miles, 2 hours 20 minutes)
You end your trip camping in the mountains. Spend the morning making coffee, and on your way back to Seattle, stop at Northwest Trek to see some other Native Northwest wildlife through tours, ziplining, etc. From here, head back to Seattle. We can’t wait to hear about your trip!
