The PMH guidebook for Mt Rainier + Packwood
City/town information
Whether you’re looking for an adventure-packed getaway, or for some much-needed relaxation, Packwood is the mountain town with the answers. Located 2 1/2 hours from both Portland and Seattle, the town sits on the Cowlitz river, surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery the PNW has to offer.
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Packwood
Whether you’re looking for an adventure-packed getaway, or for some much-needed relaxation, Packwood is the mountain town with the answers. Located 2 1/2 hours from both Portland and Seattle, the town sits on the Cowlitz river, surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery the PNW has to offer.
Food scene
The perfect post-adventure hangout, this local brewery is the perfect place to unwind over a delicious pint while sitting in the outdoor beer garden. Bonus- on a clear day you can take in the view of Mt Rainier while enjoying a brew with the local elk.
61 personas locales recomiendan
Packwood Brewing Co.
12298 US-12The perfect post-adventure hangout, this local brewery is the perfect place to unwind over a delicious pint while sitting in the outdoor beer garden. Bonus- on a clear day you can take in the view of Mt Rainier while enjoying a brew with the local elk.
Two words- breakfast scones. This local coffee shop serves delicious coffee, but it's their hearty breakfast scones that keep us coming back again and again.
58 personas locales recomiendan
The Mountain Goat
105 Main St ETwo words- breakfast scones. This local coffee shop serves delicious coffee, but it's their hearty breakfast scones that keep us coming back again and again.
Delicious coffee, great service, this is our go to when we want to grab something quick and delicious.
15 personas locales recomiendan
Base Camp Coffee
12967 US-12Delicious coffee, great service, this is our go to when we want to grab something quick and delicious.
Not only is it the most adorable ice cream shop ever, but they have access to some of the best ice cream in the state!
Learn more at @theicecreamairstream
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The Ice Cream Airstream
12298 Main St ENot only is it the most adorable ice cream shop ever, but they have access to some of the best ice cream in the state!
Learn more at @theicecreamairstream
Giant margaritas and delicious food makes for an ideal post-hike destination
Nacho’s Mexican Restaurant
Giant margaritas and delicious food makes for an ideal post-hike destination
A classic PNW brewery vibe with family friendly games and food trucks. Located just behind the thrift shop on the west side of town.
Longmire Springs Brewing
A classic PNW brewery vibe with family friendly games and food trucks. Located just behind the thrift shop on the west side of town.
A new arrival for breakfast and lunch, perfect for those looking for a bakery with fresh sweets and treats while staying in a mountain cabin tucked away around Packwood, or perhaps a hearty Mexican-style breakfast or lunch after exploring White Pass Ski Area’s slopes or the Cascade foothills during the summer. Santo Milagro Breakfast and Sweets has a little something for everyone.
Santo Milagro
A new arrival for breakfast and lunch, perfect for those looking for a bakery with fresh sweets and treats while staying in a mountain cabin tucked away around Packwood, or perhaps a hearty Mexican-style breakfast or lunch after exploring White Pass Ski Area’s slopes or the Cascade foothills during the summer. Santo Milagro Breakfast and Sweets has a little something for everyone.
If you want to try something a little different and are up for a drive, this is the spot for you. Featuring bowing and premium house-smoked BBQ and scratch-made sides, appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and desserts, this venue is worth the trek. It includes a full-service craft beer bar featuring house specialty cocktails and a carefully selected bourbon and whiskey list. The venue, which has a rich multi-generation history offering bowling and entertainment also features 10-pin bowling lanes and an expansive patio overlooking the scenic Morton Hills. It is equipped with fire pits, patio seating, and interactive Yard games including horseshoes, bocce, Cornhole, ladder toss, putter ball.
Mill Town Smokehouse
If you want to try something a little different and are up for a drive, this is the spot for you. Featuring bowing and premium house-smoked BBQ and scratch-made sides, appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, and desserts, this venue is worth the trek. It includes a full-service craft beer bar featuring house specialty cocktails and a carefully selected bourbon and whiskey list. The venue, which has a rich multi-generation history offering bowling and entertainment also features 10-pin bowling lanes and an expansive patio overlooking the scenic Morton Hills. It is equipped with fire pits, patio seating, and interactive Yard games including horseshoes, bocce, Cornhole, ladder toss, putter ball.
Retail
Great spot to pick up a souvenir or two for your friends back home. They also happen to have a great rotation of vintage clothing if you are searching for something a little extra special for yourself.
7 personas locales recomiendan
Packwood Mercantile
13015 U.S. 12Great spot to pick up a souvenir or two for your friends back home. They also happen to have a great rotation of vintage clothing if you are searching for something a little extra special for yourself.
Fat Elk Trading Co.
13018 US-12Storefront for local artists primarily featuring ceramics.
Grocery
Don't let the fact that this is the only grocery store in town fool you, this place can help take care of the item you forgot, Greentrails maps for hiking, or a bundle of firewood (when we're not in a burn ban).
Insider tip: Plan on Blanton's for the necessities- ice, firewood, and misc items you weren't able to pack. The store is typically well stocked, but many locals rely on it for their day-to-day needs.
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Blanton's Market
13040 US-12Don't let the fact that this is the only grocery store in town fool you, this place can help take care of the item you forgot, Greentrails maps for hiking, or a bundle of firewood (when we're not in a burn ban).
Insider tip: Plan on Blanton's for the necessities- ice, firewood, and misc items you weren't able to pack. The store is typically well stocked, but many locals rely on it for their day-to-day needs.
Sightseeing
This new park gives you a chance to learn about the local ecosystem and enjoy the river named for the indigenous people that lived here before Packwood became Packwood.
Cowlitz River Public Access Point
Alta DriveThis new park gives you a chance to learn about the local ecosystem and enjoy the river named for the indigenous people that lived here before Packwood became Packwood.
This beautiful park is maintained by a dedicated group of local volunteers. If you're looking for a slow, gentle stroll that is also (leashed) dog friendly, this is a great option for you.
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Packwood State Park / Skate Creek Park
Craig RoadThis beautiful park is maintained by a dedicated group of local volunteers. If you're looking for a slow, gentle stroll that is also (leashed) dog friendly, this is a great option for you.
Adventure
This ski resort has it all- 45 mins from our front door with parking, affordable day passes, and stunning views of Mt Rainier of a bluebird day. If you prefer to go the cross county route, park in the White Pass ski resort parking lot to access the trails.
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White Pass Ski Resort
48935 US-12This ski resort has it all- 45 mins from our front door with parking, affordable day passes, and stunning views of Mt Rainier of a bluebird day. If you prefer to go the cross county route, park in the White Pass ski resort parking lot to access the trails.
Waterfalls, epic vies, wildlife, and fields of wildflowers make it difficult to describe what makes this park truly special.
*** As of 2024, MRNP is now requiring reservations for timed entry in the summer months for those trying to enter the park between 7am and 3pm. You can learn more by visiting the MRNP webpage > Plan your visit > timed entry. Unfortunately Airbnb won't allow us to link you there directly ***
If you're looking for a truly special guided experience (for all skill levels), check out local favorite @tourmtrainier
If you prefer the self guided route, you can't go wrong with the Sunrise area. Fremont lookout is one of our favorite spots to catch the sunrise in the summer. Everyone's hiking ability and comfort with the outdoors is different, so we recommend checking out WTA for more information on the Rainier area.
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Mount Rainier National Park
Waterfalls, epic vies, wildlife, and fields of wildflowers make it difficult to describe what makes this park truly special.
*** As of 2024, MRNP is now requiring reservations for timed entry in the summer months for those trying to enter the park between 7am and 3pm. You can learn more by visiting the MRNP webpage > Plan your visit > timed entry. Unfortunately Airbnb won't allow us to link you there directly ***
If you're looking for a truly special guided experience (for all skill levels), check out local favorite @tourmtrainier
If you prefer the self guided route, you can't go wrong with the Sunrise area. Fremont lookout is one of our favorite spots to catch the sunrise in the summer. Everyone's hiking ability and comfort with the outdoors is different, so we recommend checking out WTA for more information on the Rainier area.
Rugged, beautiful, and named after the goats that used to call this place home, this is one of the best kept secrets in WA.
8 personas locales recomiendan
Goat Rocks Wilderness
Rugged, beautiful, and named after the goats that used to call this place home, this is one of the best kept secrets in WA.
Explore this famous trail that has captured the hearts and minds of so many.
Insider tip- August is prime time for through hikers to visit Packwood for a resupply. If you're interested in hearing about their adventures, head to the trailhead with some trail magic (granola bars or a ride to town) to be really inspired.
Pacific Crest Trail - White Pass North Trailhead
48000 U.S. 12Explore this famous trail that has captured the hearts and minds of so many.
Insider tip- August is prime time for through hikers to visit Packwood for a resupply. If you're interested in hearing about their adventures, head to the trailhead with some trail magic (granola bars or a ride to town) to be really inspired.
Explore the blast zone from the famous Mt Saint Helens eruption from 1980. Parts of the area are frozen in time while others are in full regrowth. The landscape is stunning.
Insider tip- this access point accessible by car in the summer, but has snow mobile access in the winter months.
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Windy Ridge Viewpoint
Forest Rd 99Explore the blast zone from the famous Mt Saint Helens eruption from 1980. Parts of the area are frozen in time while others are in full regrowth. The landscape is stunning.
Insider tip- this access point accessible by car in the summer, but has snow mobile access in the winter months.
This hike is BUSY on summer weekends, but if you arrive early enough bring a float or a paddleboard to really make the most of it.
Insider tip: the parking lot is large but fills up fast.
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Packwood Lake Trailhead
National Forest Development Road 1260This hike is BUSY on summer weekends, but if you arrive early enough bring a float or a paddleboard to really make the most of it.
Insider tip: the parking lot is large but fills up fast.
Located about an hour outside of Packwood near the Nisqually entrance in Elbe you'll find a unique way to explore the region on horseback.
EZ Times Outfitters offers experienced guides and trained horses familiar with the trails for all levels of riders. Choose a guided trip by the hour, two or three-hour trail rides. Trail rides depart, rain or shine, year-round. Walks up welcomed during the summer and fall months. Summer hours are daily 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Winter hours vary. Reservations suggested during the winter.
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E Z Times Horse Rides
18703 WA-706Located about an hour outside of Packwood near the Nisqually entrance in Elbe you'll find a unique way to explore the region on horseback.
EZ Times Outfitters offers experienced guides and trained horses familiar with the trails for all levels of riders. Choose a guided trip by the hour, two or three-hour trail rides. Trail rides depart, rain or shine, year-round. Walks up welcomed during the summer and fall months. Summer hours are daily 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Winter hours vary. Reservations suggested during the winter.
Consejos para la ciudad
Costumbres y cultura
We take burn ban season very, very seriously here
The single most important thing you can do while in Packwood is respect our natural surroundings. This means that burn bans are non-negotiable, with fees starting at $500. Leading up to your trip, check out this interactive map to see if there are any restrictions in our area https://www.swcleanair.gov/burning/burnmap.asp
Cómo moverse
Follow @wsdot for current road conditions
Given that Packwood is a mountain town set deep in the wilderness, weather can change quickly. Rarely are the roads impassible, but we highly recommend checking with @wsdot on twitter or Instagram before your journey to ensure you're prepared for your journey.
No te lo pierdas
Elk are the official residents of Packwood
Don't be fooled by the buildings, the local herds of elk more or less run this town. It is not at all uncommon to be in a "traffic jam" while these gentle giants take their time strolling across the street.
Insider tip: these elk are smart and often disappear to higher ground when it's too hot or during hunting season. If you really have your heart set on seeming some while you're in town, Packwood Brewery and the field by the 76 gas station appear to be some of their favorite hangout spots around dawn and dusk.