It is important to note one important detail before visiting the Methow Valley. The name is pronounced “Met-How.” I only learned this after repeatedly saying “Me-Tho” to everyone I met while I was visiting. No one corrected me. I just happened to ask. This tells you how polite and accommodating the locals who call this lush, lovely valley home are.
The Methow Valley is located in north-central Washington. Miles of scenic drives, hiking, and biking trails entice visitors to relax and recharge in the remote foothills of the North Cascades Mountains. It is also home to the small, tight-knit communities of Winthrop, Mazama, and Twisp. Each town exhibits a distinct personality despite the handful of miles that separate them. Yet all offer a chance to admire the work of local artisans, savor the flavors of the fertile valley, and explore its natural wonders.
History Comes Alive
Winthrop sets itself apart from other towns with its strict Westernization Code. This requires that businesses and structures in the designated district replicate the appearance of a late 19th-century frontier town. At first, I saw this as Winthrop’s way to attract as many tourists and tourist dollars as possible.
My perception slowly changed as I walked the somewhat uneven boardwalks that line Riverside Avenue. After sipping a local-brewed beer at Old Schoolhouse Brewery, relishing hand-dipped truffles at Sheri’s Sweet Shoppe, and chatting with the Garth Mudge, the owner of Glassworks of Winthrop who has been creating stunning pieces of blown-glass art in the same location for over 20 years, I began to admire the townspeople’s commitment to their heritage and saw this aesthetic adherence less as a gimmick and more as hometown pride.
Hit The Trail
Winthrop is also known for its natural beauty and abundance of outdoor recreation. The Methow River flows through the heart of town. Several restaurants and hotels take advantage of this by offering riverfront dining and balconies that overlook the water. Rolling hills covered in wildflowers encircle the town, providing plenty of opportunities to explore on two feet or two wheels.
I found that the best way to explore these scenic landscapes is through the extensive Methow Trails system. The system offers hikers and bikers over 130 miles of multi-use trails with varying degrees of difficulty. Trails are groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter, and users must purchase a pass. In the summer, the snow-free trails can be explored at no cost. Maps are available online, at the Methow Trails office in Winthrop, and at many other locations throughout the valley.
For my introduction into Methow Trails, I chose the Susie Stephens Trail steps from my room at the Methow River Lodge. I began the leisurely stroll along this level two-mile path lined with cottonwoods swaying in the breeze. The trail climbed slightly to connect with a loop that winds around a hill overlooking Winthrop. Pink and yellow wildflowers carpeted the ground, providing a colorful contrast to the snow-capped Cascades looming in the distance.
Winthrop’s Modern Flavors
Lunch was at Oliver’s Artisan Kitchen, a French-style deli featuring sweet and savory crepes and sandwiches on housemade bread. Oliver’s counter is lined with glass jars of delights from fruit-filled hand pies to airy meringues. I enjoyed their refreshing Sunflower Salad with its namesake seeds, goat cheese, and slices of Washington-grown apples. My chosen sweet treat was a fluffy bite-sized marshmallow square dusted with crunchy sugar.
Washington is known for its wine-growing regions. Just about every town boasts at least one winery. In keeping with Winthrop’s Westernization Code, Lost River Winery is located in a large, barn-like building. Inside, Kristin and the owner, Rick, took me through a tasting. Their award-winning wines are fruit-forward and lean toward the dry side.
My tastes lean toward dry red wines. I was surprised to find a favorite in their 2024 Rainshadow white, a 55 percent sauvignon blanc and 45 percent semillon.
Dinner at Meza was a simple yet elegant meal of salty prosciutto, Manchego cheese, and fig slices atop crunchy crostini. I took my seat on their outdoor patio with a glass of Washington chardonnay, listening to the music of the river rushing past.
Mazama Mountain Majesty
Mazama is the last stop before the entrance to North Cascades National Park. While visitors stop here before making the final push into the park, I found Mazama a destination in itself with hiking and biking trails, lodging and dining options, and the tiny Pasayten Whiskey Distillery.
The Mazama Store sells a range of products to enjoy a day in the mountains. I took my breakfast burrito stuffed with eggs, cheese, and bacon, along with my cup of hot tea, to their outdoor seating area. Breathing the fresh mountain air, I gazed up to 7,000-foot Goat Peak, scanning for mountain goats clinging to the jagged sides.
Twisp’s Creative Community
In Twisp, I found community pride on full display at TwispWorks, a collection of studios for local artisans. Poke your head into the creative spaces and chat with artists about their work. Mediums cover printmaking, textiles, and woodworking. Each artist keeps their own schedule so there is no guarantee who will be working when you visit.
A short walk brings you to Twisp’s very small but diverse downtown. Stop in at the Confluence Art Center to shop for even more locally produced ceramics, paintings, and jewelry. Devour a bowl of fresh pasta at LupoBrio. Catch a show at the Merc Playhouse, where local thespians have been putting on plays and musicals for a quarter of a century.
Luxury Lodging in Twisp
My home for the next two nights was Casia Lodge & Ranch. Owned and managed by husband and wife Jason and Debbie Friend Wilson, the lodge sits just outside Twisp on 300 acres, ensuring stunning views from every angle.
Debbie explained that she and Jason wanted to create a quiet, restorative environment rooted in connection to the land, food, and experience. To accomplish this mission, Casia is an 18-and-over property with only 12 guest rooms and no television in sight. There are eight wood-burning fireplaces. Comfy chairs sit before floor-to-ceiling picture windows, offering plenty of places to take in the views. I admit I found little reason to leave once I settled in.
As happy hour rolled around, I took a seat in their Olde English Pub and ordered their signature Old Fashioned. The pub’s menu features small yet elevated bites of truffle parmesan fries and Wagyu steak tips. An extensive selection of wines, beer, and cocktails pairs perfectly with the food.
The Veranda is the lodge’s fine dining restaurant. I enjoyed an exquisite meal prepared by Jason, a James Beard Award-winning chef, and his talented team. Tangy fried pickle spears were followed by prawns atop bucatini pasta swirled in a savory broth. A bowl of silky butterscotch pudding was a perfect ending to the feast.
One Last Taste
Glover Street Market offers weekly wine tastings on Saturday afternoons. In their wine cellar, I took a seat at a long communal table next to local residents who seemed to delight in making this tasting a weekly occurrence. Colbey Breed, Glover Street’s personable sommelier, designs and leads each tasting. Every week, he pours wines from the market’s inventory that hail from vineyards both local and abroad, focusing specifically on family-owned wineries with sound environmental practices.
Next door in RYZO’s intimate tasting room, I enjoyed a flight of five wines from their 2025 Pét Nat Rosé to their 2022 Cell Burst Syrah. With a glass of my favorite selection, their ‘23 Cabernet Franc, I joined in a conversation with my fellow patrons who were eager to tell me what makes the Methow Valley such a special place.
I listened politely, not letting on that I had spent the last three days discovering that very thing.
If You Go
Where to Stay
Here are some other lodging suggestions in addition to Casia Lodge & Ranch.
Best Western Peppertree in Omak.
Methow River Lodge & Cabins in Winthrop.
The Inn at Mazama in Mazama.
Timing
Time your visit to the Methow Valley to the season that best aligns with your interests and itinerary.
An abundance of winter recreation and cross-country ski trails is available, but the weather can make driving difficult.
The wildflowers in the spring and the changing leaves in the fall are amazing, but many businesses have limited hours or close altogether during the shoulder months.
Everything is open in the summer, and the days are bright and sunny, but the crowds can be a little much, especially in Winthrop and on the way to North Cascades National Park.
Getting There
There are no large commercial airports in the Methow Valley, although Alaska Airlines operates out of the Pangborn Memorial Airport in East Wenatchee. You can rent a car at the airport and drive approximately 90 minutes north to Twisp.
A better option is to fly into either Seattle to the west or Spokane to the east. It then takes about four hours to drive from either city, beginning on I-90 out of Seattle and US-2 out of Spokane. Regardless of your route, I recommend keeping a paper map handy in case GPS fails in remote sections of the drive.
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Read more from Susie at SusieWallWritesTravel
