Bell tents near Leavenworth with wifi provided

A few hours’ drive east of Seattle, Leavenworth evokes the spirit of Bavaria, complete with faux timber-framed houses and a strict adherence to hand-painted signage throughout the town. Here you'll find a variety of shops hawking beer steins, mustard, and cuckoo clocks, plus Germanic restaurants galore—there’s even a bratwurst spot with a beer garden. Just a few minutes' drive north of town, Lake Wenatchee State Park offers year-round camping, while Leavenworth Ski Hill offers tubing, snowshoeing, and skiing in the snowy winter months.

South of Leavenworth, the Yakima Valley area offers around 300 days of sunshine per year, making it ideal for hiking and river rafting. This area is also home to over 100 wineries, as well as cultural attractions celebrating the arts and Yakama Nation traditions.

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Spanning across the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, this expansive national forest encompasses over 1.7 million acres, with six wilderness areas within its boundaries. While backpacking to remote areas is a popular way to explore the area, there are also plenty of developed campgrounds to choose from.

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

On the western side of the Cascades, extending from Mount Rainier National Park all the way up to the Canadian border, this massive national forest is popular throughout the year, attracting locals and out-of-state visitors alike. Expect fantastic skiing and winter sports opportunities in the winter months and excellent camping in the warmer season.

Leavenworth is at its most charming in the weeks leading up to Christmas, with a holiday market and light displays to mark the season. The yuletide cheer continues well into the new year, but with fewer crowds. If you want to go camping (or are planning on driving over the Cascade Mountains and don’t want to risk getting stuck in a winter blizzard), late spring to early fall make an ideal alternative, with pleasant (but never hot) temperatures.