Pacific Northwest Towns So Beautiful You’ll Regret Spending Summer Indoors

Stehekin, Washington

There are no roads leading to Stehekin. You can either get there across Lake Chelan by boat or take a plane. The third option is not going at all. That gives you a hint of what you are dealing with. The town sits at the northern tip of one of North America’s deepest lakes, in the North Cascades mountain range.

The small community has an estimated 85 residents all year round, and the whole town runs on hydropower. There’s no cell reception, and the internet connection is limited, to say the least.

During the summer months, Stehekin gives real meaning to the term “off-grid adventure,” something that so many other places claim but few actually deliver. Hiking trails wind off towards the backcountry of the North Cascades, and Rainbow Falls is just a short drive from town. Kayaking on the lake is a must for anyone visiting. The season is short enough that both locals and visitors treat every clear day like it counts.

Port Townsend, Washington

Port Townsend is a Victorian seaport that somehow never became a theme park version of itself. The historic buildings have been preserved because the town’s economic boom ended before anyone could tear them down and replace them. Right on the outskirts of downtown Port Townsend is Fort Worden State Park, a former military base with sweeping views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

In the summertime, there are several festivals that make Port Townsend a unique place to visit. The Centrum events hosted in Fort Worden include world-class blues, jazz, and chamber music performances. The Wooden Boat Festival takes place in September, drawing hundreds of vessels into the harbor and making for a spectacular view. Despite all the activities, Port Townsend is small enough that it doesn’t lose itself in tourism, which is rare for towns along this coastline.

Roslyn, Washington

Most people who have ever heard of Roslyn know it as the set for the “Northern Exposure” TV show. But there is so much more to it. The mining boom of the late 19th century defined the town’s history, and you can actually see it in the old company buildings and the cemeteries. These show just how diverse the immigrant workforce that worked on the mines was.

Summertime in Roslyn gives visitors access to the Cascades, which are just minutes away from the city. There are great hiking spots near Cle Elum Lake and the Teanaway River Valley, making it the perfect place for a calm afternoon walk.

Astoria, Oregon

Located at the mouth of the Columbia River, Astoria’s scale and character put it in a different category from the smaller coastal towns around it. There is no shortage of landmarks here. The Astoria-Megler Bridge spans just over four miles across the river toward Washington State. The Astoria Column rises atop 600-foot Coxcomb Hill, with views of the river entrance, the coastline, and the Cascades.

Five miles southwest of the town, you’ll find Fort Clatsop, the base camp of Lewis and Clark during the winter of 1805-1806. Back in Astoria itself, the Columbia River Maritime Museum is one of the best regional museums in the Pacific Northwest. The restaurants and bars are truly authentic and are also worth a visit.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Cannon Beach is a known tourist spot, especially during summer weekends. But it has earned its rep as one of the best places to visit during summer in the Pacific Northwest. Haystack Rock stands 235 feet high and sits straight down on the beach, which is hard to picture until you’re standing next to it. Pictures don’t do it justice either. The beach is huge and the scenery is impressive enough to make the crowds tolerable.

Coming here in the summer months instead of trying your luck in the offseason is imperative. You can actually enjoy it from June through August instead of just observing it from afar. At low tide, the tidal pools at the base of Haystack Rock are accessible and are worth timing your visit around. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see sea stars, anemones, and crabs in the rocks.

Ashland, Oregon

The main attraction in Ashland is the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, held between February and October. In the summer, the Elizabethan Theatre comes alive as the festival hits its peak. Ashland has more live theater running simultaneously than most cities ten times its size.

But there is more to Ashland besides the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The Rogue River runs nearby, and jet boat tours run out of Grants Pass all summer long. Lithia Park, located right in the middle of the town and following Ashland Creek up into the hills, offers a variety of hiking paths where you can have a peaceful afternoon. The wine culture in the Applegate and Rogue valleys is also worth exploring, along with the town’s restaurants.

Stevenson, Washington

Stevenson lies in the Columbia River Gorge at the Washington end. It’s a smaller and less obvious entry point than Hood River, which sits just on the opposite bank in Oregon, but that’s the appeal. The Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum, riverfront parks, and trails on Wind Mountain and Beacon Rock all deliver stunning views of the gorge. Beacon Rock alone stands at 848 feet.

The Gorge is known for its windy summers, and that’s how Hood River became the windsurfing hub it is. Stevenson is a few miles up from the most intense wind corridor, making it a calmer and more practical base for hiking, eating, and river watching. Every June, the Gorge Blues and Brews Festival adds another reason to visit. There is something about the Gorge that renders all other landscapes slightly dull once you leave it behind.

Bend, Oregon

Bend is not a secret, but it gets a spot on this list since summer is when it truly lives up to its full potential. The Deschutes River passes right through the center of town and people spend entire afternoons floating down it during the hot summer days. Smith Rock State Park, located only 25 miles northeast of Bend, is one of the best spots for rock climbing in the United States, so it’s worth checking out even if you have no interest in climbing. The canyon scenery alone is worth the visit. At Mt. Bachelor, a bike park opens once the ski lift shuts down, converting the mountain into a network of downhill trails.

Bend is also home to some serious craft beer, and has been for years. There are actually more than two dozen breweries in town, thanks to the Bend Ale Trail, and many of them are close enough together to walk between several in an afternoon. It’s a great place for summer outdoor activities, cuisine, and music. It’s like someone stacked a full season into a few square miles.