Things to Do in Winthrop, WA

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Hiking

Winthrop is surrounded by exceptional hiking, from wildflower-covered hillsides just outside town in spring and summer to spectacular alpine routes along Highway 20 near Washington and Rainy Passes. Popular trails include Maple Pass Loop, often rated one of the best hikes in Washington State, Blue Lake, and the family-friendly Cutthroat Lake trail with stunning North Cascades scenery. The Methow Community Trail system provides accessible multi-use paths through the valley for all fitness levels. For serious hikers, the North Cascades offer some of the most dramatic wilderness hiking in the Pacific Northwest.

Winthrop Hiking Guide

Sun Mountain Lodge

Perched high above the Methow Valley with sweeping views of the surrounding North Cascades, Sun Mountain Lodge is one of the premier destination resorts in the Pacific Northwest. In winter, the lodge sits at the heart of the Methow Valley's world-class cross-country ski trail network with ski-in/ski-out access from the property. Summer brings hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and outdoor dining on the terrace with panoramic mountain views. The lodge's acclaimed restaurant serves Pacific Northwest cuisine with a focus on local ingredients. Whether staying the night or just stopping in for a meal, Sun Mountain Lodge is a Winthrop institution.

Backcountry Skiing

The mountains surrounding the Methow Valley offer excellent backcountry skiing for those with the skills and gear to venture beyond the groomed trails. The North Cascades provide access to challenging descents and remote ski touring routes, and the area around Washington Pass offers exceptional terrain when conditions allow. The Methow Valley also has a ski hut system that allows for multi-day ski touring through the backcountry. Avalanche awareness and proper safety equipment are essential for backcountry travel in these mountains.

Larches

One of the most spectacular natural events in Washington State happens each fall when the larch trees in the mountains surrounding Winthrop turn from green to brilliant gold and amber before shedding their needles. Western larches are a unique species of deciduous conifer that creates a breathtaking contrast against the evergreen forests and granite peaks of the North Cascades. Prime larch viewing typically runs from late September through mid-October. Popular spots include the Maple Pass Loop, Blue Lake, and the ridges above Cutthroat Lake. Expect heavy trail traffic during peak larch season — start early and consider weekday visits.

Horseback Riding

The open rangelands and mountain trails of the Methow Valley are perfectly suited to horseback riding, and several outfitters in the Winthrop area offer guided trail rides for riders of all experience levels. Rides range from short one-hour introductory experiences to full-day excursions into the backcountry. Sun Mountain Lodge offers guided trail rides through the surrounding hills with incredible views of the valley and mountains. The western heritage of Winthrop makes horseback riding a particularly fitting way to experience this landscape.

Historic Winthrop

Downtown Winthrop is one of Washington's most distinctive small towns, with a western frontier aesthetic that includes wooden boardwalk sidewalks, false-fronted buildings, and hitching posts. The entire downtown area has a historic character that draws visitors who appreciate authentic small-town America. Downtown Winthrop is home to excellent shops, galleries, restaurants, and the Old Schoolhouse Brewery along its iconic boardwalk, making it well worth a stroll no matter the season.

Shafer Museum

The Shafer Museum is a collection of historic pioneer buildings perched on a hillside above downtown Winthrop, providing a fascinating window into the early settler history of the Methow Valley. The open-air museum features original log cabins, a vintage print shop, a one-room schoolhouse, and numerous artifacts and exhibits from the region's past. Founded in 1940 by Guy Waring's daughter, the museum is a labor of love by the local community and is open during the summer months. Admission is free, though donations are appreciated.

Hockey Rink

The Winthrop outdoor hockey rink is a beloved community gathering spot during the winter months. The rink is typically open for skating and pickup hockey throughout the winter season and is a great place to lace up skates and enjoy the crisp Methow Valley air. The rink embodies the community spirit that makes Winthrop such a special place — locals and visitors alike can be found skating under the open sky against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains.

Snowmobiling

The Methow Valley offers excellent snowmobiling with an extensive network of trails through surrounding forests and mountains. The area's reliable snowpack and varied terrain make it a popular destination for snowmobilers from across Washington State. Several sno-parks in the area provide staging areas for snowmobile trips, with trails ranging from beginner-friendly valley routes to more challenging mountain terrain. Rentals and guided tours are available locally for those who don't bring their own machines.

Nordic Skiing

The Methow Valley Ski Trails system is one of the crown jewels of Nordic skiing in North America, with over 200 kilometers of meticulously groomed trails winding through the valley, forests, and hillsides surrounding Winthrop. Maintained by the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA), the trail network caters to all skill levels, from gentle valley-floor paths to challenging ascents with panoramic mountain views. Trails connect the town of Winthrop with Mazama and the Sun Mountain Lodge area, and hut-to-hut skiing through the backcountry is a popular multi-day adventure. A daily trail pass is required and can be purchased online or at local vendors.

Fat Biking

The Methow Valley has emerged as one of the premier fat biking destinations in the Pacific Northwest, with the MVSTA grooming a portion of the Nordic ski trail network specifically for fat bikes during winter. The wide, low-pressure tires of fat bikes allow riders to roll over packed snow with surprising ease, opening up the stunning winter landscape to cyclists. Trails around Winthrop and up toward Sun Mountain Lodge are particularly popular, offering a mix of gentle and more challenging terrain with spectacular views. Fat bike rentals are available in Winthrop and Mazama for those who don't travel with their own bike.

Heli Skiing

The North Cascades surrounding Winthrop offer the only helicopter skiing in Washington State, with vast untracked terrain and a reliable snowpack. North Cascades Heli Skiing operates out of Mazama, offering guided heli-ski and heli-board trips into the remote mountains north of Winthrop. Runs descend through old-growth forests, open bowls, and steep chutes with vertical drops often exceeding 3,000 feet. Full-day packages include multiple runs and all safety equipment. Advanced skiing or snowboarding ability is required.

Old Schoolhouse Brewery

Housed in the historic 1921 Winthrop schoolhouse building, the Old Schoolhouse Brewery is a beloved Winthrop institution and one of Washington State's longest-running craft breweries. The brewery crafts a wide range of beers on site, from refreshing summer ales to hearty winter stouts, many inspired by the outdoor culture and seasons of the Methow Valley. The taproom features a welcoming atmosphere with exposed brick and warm woodwork, and the outdoor patio is perfect for enjoying a cold pint after a day on the trails.

Farmers Market

The Winthrop Farmers Market runs on Saturday mornings from late spring through fall in downtown Winthrop, offering locally grown produce, fresh flowers, artisan foods, and handcrafted goods from vendors throughout the Methow Valley. The market is a great place to pick up fresh provisions, sample local honey, jams, and baked goods, and connect with the welcoming Methow Valley community. The market typically runs from late May through September.

Pearrygin Lake State Park

Pearrygin Lake State Park is located just north of Winthrop and offers a beautiful freshwater lake in a pastoral valley setting. The park is a popular destination for swimming, fishing, boating, and camping, with a sandy beach, boat launch, and a well-maintained campground. The lake warms up nicely in summer, making it a refreshing retreat during Winthrop's hot summer days. Rainbow trout fishing is popular at Pearrygin Lake, and the surrounding hills provide scenic views of the Methow Valley.

North Cascades National Park

Winthrop serves as an eastern gateway to the North Cascades National Park, one of the most rugged and spectacular national parks in the United States. Highway 20, the North Cascades Highway, runs west from Winthrop through the heart of the park, passing Washington Pass and Rainy Pass before descending to the Skagit Valley. The park protects over 500,000 acres of ancient forest, jagged peaks, glaciers, and alpine lakes. Popular day hikes accessible from Highway 20 include Maple Pass Loop, Blue Lake, and Rainy Lake — all within an hour of Winthrop. Note that the highway typically closes from late November through mid-April.

Rafting

The Methow River flows through the heart of Winthrop and offers excellent whitewater rafting, particularly during spring and early summer when snowmelt swells the river. The Methow features a range of rapids suitable for both beginners and experienced paddlers. Several local outfitters offer guided rafting trips, handling all the equipment and safety instruction. This is a great way to experience the beauty of the Methow Valley from a completely different perspective, floating past canyon walls, ponderosa pine forests, and the occasional bald eagle.

Hot Air Balloon Festival

Each spring, the Winthrop Balloon Roundup fills the skies above the Methow Valley with colorful hot air balloons, creating one of the most visually stunning events in the Pacific Northwest. Early morning launches on spring weekends allow balloons to drift gently over the valley with snow-capped peaks as a backdrop. The event draws balloonists and spectators from across the region and is a wonderful way to experience the grandeur of the Methow Valley from above. Check the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce for specific dates and details each year.

Mountain Biking

The Methow Valley is a premier mountain biking destination, with a trail network that rivals the best riding in the Pacific Northwest. The Methow Community Trail connects several communities in the valley on a multi-use path ideal for casual riders and families. For more technical singletrack, the hills surrounding Winthrop and Sun Mountain Lodge offer challenging rides with incredible views. The Sun Mountain trail system features over 30 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails through forests and meadows with dramatic views of the valley and North Cascades. Bike rentals are available in Winthrop for those without their own bikes.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing in the Methow Valley is a wonderful way to explore the winter landscape at a slower pace. The MVSTA trail network includes designated snowshoe trails, and the forested hillsides and open meadows around Winthrop provide excellent terrain for snowshoers of all abilities. Sun Mountain Lodge has direct access to groomed snowshoe trails, and the surrounding hills offer spectacular views of the valley below. For a more adventurous outing, the lower slopes of the mountains around Winthrop provide opportunities to break trail through untracked powder. Snowshoe rentals are available locally.

Winthrop
Things To Do