Winthrop

Winthrop is a town in the Methow Valley, in North Cascades region of Washington State. This eastern gateway to North Cascades National Park has retained its historic frontier-town roots.

Understand

With 300 days of sunshine, it's a popular base for backpacking, climbing, and backcountry skiing. It is also the base for the Methow Trails, a destination for cross country skiing.

Get in

By car

WA-20 passes through town, from Twisp to the east and North Cascades National Park to the west. WA-20 closes during the winter west of Winthrop, and is also subject to temporary winter storm closures.

See

Main Street Winthrop has maintained an Old West feel, with simple wooden storefronts and antique signage.

• 1 Shafer Historical Museum, 285 Castle Ave. (updated Oct 2024)

Do

Winter sports

• Methow Trails. Over 120 miles of cross country skiing trails, making the Methow Valley one of the premier locations in the world for this sport. (updated Oct 2024)
• 1 Winthrop Ice Rink, 208 White Ave. (updated Oct 2024)

Nature

• 2 Pearrygin Lake State Park, 625 Bear Creek Rd. (updated Oct 2024)

Climbing

• 3 Mazama (From US-20, turn onto Lost River Rd/Mazama and drive 1/4 mile). Some of the best single- and multi-pitch sport climbing in Washington. (updated Nov 2024)

Buy

Winthrop is the last full-services stop along westbound WA-20 until Concrete, 104 miles east.

Sleep

• Riverrun Inn. secluded cabins, rooms and a house on the Chewuch River, walking distance to downtown Winthrop (updated Oct 2024)
• Sun Mountain Lodge. luxury hotel (updated Oct 2024)
• Chewuch Inn & Cabins (1825), 223 White Ave, ☏ +1 509 996-3107. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Offers lodging with a hearty breakfast and an outdoor spa with cross country skiing, mountain biking and other outdoor recreation activities nearby. $90-200. 

Go next

• North Cascades National Park, some of the most dramatic and wild mountain scenery in the Pacific Northwest
• Chelan, at the foot of a 50-mile-long lake

Winthrop is on the North Cascade Loop itinerary.

Routes through Winthrop

North Cascades N.P. ← Mazama ←

W  E

→ Twisp → Omak