10 Amazing Pacific Northwest Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive
Earthy, laid-back, full of four-season possibilities, and well-stocked in international hubs, the Pacific Northwest is ripe for some epic day trips. Whether it's through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, or the neighboring Canadian province of British Columbia, a mix of lumbering mountains, flourishing forests, and either alpine lakes or Pacific Ocean shorelines are sure to dominate your windshield view. At the same time, the small towns found en route offer casual comforts that complement the extroverted attractions of the big-city starting points. Let's scan in a (generally) north-south direction in order to find the ten best day trips that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
British Columbia
Vancouver to Vancouver Island (Victoria)
The most populous city of Canada's westernmost province is a spritely metropolis surrounded by a beach-dotted waterfront and backdropped by the lush North Shore Mountains. As such, flying into Vancouver opens the door to all sorts of outdoor and social activities. But if you're looking to relax into a smaller community that's surrounded by even more natural surroundings, then British Columbia's old-world capital is but a ferry ride away. Victoria, aka "Garden City" is known for its manicured green spaces and floral arrangements, elegant architecture, quaint harbor, and culture. From the airport, drop down to the port at Tsawwassen and board one of the dozen daily BC Ferries to Swartz Bay (just north of Victoria) from where you can continue into the heart of town — a total journey of about two-and-a-half hours. On board, there are various lounges and cafes to enjoy, or you can head out onto the deck to feel the sea breeze and watch the Gulf Islands drift by. You might even see some dolphins swimming alongside the vessel or spot the odd orca or humpback whale breaching in the distance.
Victoria to Port Renfrew
Alternatively, you can fly right into Victoria International Airport and wade deeper into the temperate old-growth rainforests of southwestern Vancouver Island. Having rented a car at the airport and briefly absorbed the aforementioned highlights of BC's capital city, head west on the Trans-Canada Highway before taking the Highway 14 turnoff (note: the turnoff to Port Renfrew is a single road leading west) a few minutes outside of town. Less than two hours after exiting the airport (a bit more if traffic on the coastal road is slow-going, or if you stop for a walk at any of the numerous beaches) you will arrive at the tiny trail town of Port Renfrew. Here, you can admire the tide pools at Botanical Beach or the enormous western red cedars and Douglas firs of Avatar Grove. Or, if you came prepared to extent your serene day trip into a multi-day world-class trek, then you'll have your choice of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, which heads southeast along the rugged coast for 47 kilometers (29 miles), or the West Coast Trail, which also begins at Port Renfrew, but this time trends northwest for 75 gorgeous (but capricious) kilometers (47 miles).
Kelowna to Okanagan Towns
Shifting to British Columbia's interior, a whole new set of day trips presents itself. Thanks to the Kelowna International Airport, we can skip the four or five-hour drive east from Vancouver, or seven-hour westbound journey from Calgary, Alberta, and dive straight into the charming towns and natural appeal of the Okanagan. Known as Canada's only desert (technically, a semi-arid shrubland), this valley is blessed with perpetually sunny skies and a pleasant climate that persists long after winter has descended on much of the country. And thanks to the string of fjord lakes, the Okanagan is an ideal summertime swimming hole. Not only that, but the unique microclimate and irrigation system has fostered a plethora of U-pick orchards, as well as the second largest wine region in all of Canada.
Kelowna, the biggest city in the interior and gateway to the entire Okanagan Valley, straddles the middle of Okanagan Lake. From here, I recommend taking the Okanagan Highway (97) south to the delightful and accurately-named western shore towns of Peachland and Summerland — the former with its lengthy waterfront and the latter with its cute Main Street and panoramic hike up Giant's Head Mountain. Continue further south and you'll reach Penticton (i.e. the "Craft Beer Capital of Canada") on the lake's southern shore, and then end at Osoyoos (just shy of the Washington border) — Canada's warmest town and warmest lake.
Washington
Seattle to Olympic Peninsula (East Side)
A similar migration as Vancouver to Vancouver Island can be found stateside, in the transition from Seattle to the Olympic Peninsula. Just like in Vancouver, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport sits just south of the state's most populous city (though, once again, not its capital), but this time around, we are presented with two options for getting to the adjacent, nature-soaked enclave that is the Olympic Peninsula. If you are keen to visit some of The Emerald City's top attractions (such as the Space Needle, Aquarium, Great Wheel, Museum of Pop Culture, etc.) and if you would like to experience the Washington State Ferry across Puget Sound, then head north into downtown Seattle. If, on the other hand, you wish to prioritize the idyllic towns of the eastern peninsula, or get straight to Olympic National Park, then bop down to Tacoma, drive across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and then continue northbound.
However you breach the east side of the Olympic Peninsula, the journey should be of similar duration. But where you access the nearly million-acre wilderness (covering everything from snowy peaks to temperate rainforest to wild beaches), and what noteworthy pit-stops you make en route, is entirely up to you. If you come by ferry, you would do well to check out the Norwegian-themed town of Poulsbo (at the base of Liberty Bay), or the artsy community of Port Townsend (poking out into the Salish Sea), before entering the park at Hurricane Ridge (via Port Angeles). If you choose the southbound, dry-land alternative, then you can drop into the hospitable town of Gig Harbor (which trades in views of Mount Olympus for Mount Rainier) before picking up the same itinerary, or simply opt for the park's southeastern entrance (i.e. "Staircase").
Seattle to Olympic Peninsula (West Side)
As you can see, the Olympic Peninsula's attractions are as dense as its temperate rainforest. Therefore, a new conversation is needed for its western points of interest. Yes, some non-trivial driving is involved to bridge the gap to the Pacific or interior rainforest, but given the quality of experiences, all of this is still well-within day-trip territory. From Port Angeles, continue about 60 miles west to the famed town of Forks. Owning the title of "Rainiest town in the contiguous US," one might not be reflexively drawn to this laid-back logging community, but such prodigious precipitation makes the surrounding forests all the more lush and mossy. In fact, the inclement and mysterious atmosphere inspired Stephenie Meyer to set her "Twilight" novels here — a phenomenon that has since boosted Forks' tourism.
Day-trippers are now faced with a different kind of fork: a fork in the road. To the west, the community of La Push introduces the culture of the resident Quileute Nation, as well as a trifecta of driftwood-strewn beaches (just a taste of the 73-mile wilderness-designated shoreline). And to the east, motorists can stretch their legs on the Hoh River Trail, within the enchanting Hoh Rain Forest.
Seattle to North Cascades National Park
For all its beauty, one potential drawback to touring Olympic National Park is contending with its 3.7 million annual visitors. Steering southeast of Seattle, to Mount Rainier National Park, shaves that number down to about 2.5 million, but for a truly remote wilderness experience, Washington's third and, by far, least-visited national park is the way to go. North Cascades National Park, despite its just over 100-mile separation from downtown Seattle, received just 16,485 visitors in 2024 (making it one of America's most untouched national parks). This is undoubtedly due to its lack of touristic infrastructure — a strategic decision to keep this 789-square-mile section of Washington truly wild. With that said, there is a 30-mile bisecting thoroughfare that is perfect for our day-trip agenda.
The North Cascades Highway follows the Skagit River valley through the Cascade Range to Diablo and Ross Lakes. En route, you will be presented with the park's Visitor Center, turnouts for short hiking trails and scenic overlooks, and several of the 300 resident glaciers (making North Cascades the densest glaciated area in the lower 48). Assuming a round-trip from Seattle, you can access the North Cascades Highway via the Skagit County community of Rockport, roll through to Ruby Creek, and then return the same way.
Idaho
Spokane (WA) to The Panhandle
It's easy to overlook little old Idaho, but the Gem State packs just as much adventure and small-town charm as any of the other Pacific Northwest entities. Case in point: the unexpectedly delightful Panhandle region. In order to access Idaho's geographical chimney in a day-trip-appropriate fashion, it is best to fly into Spokane International Airport in northeastern Washington. From there, it is less than a 40-mile drive to downtown Coeur d'Alene. Positioned at the top of Coeur d'Alene Lake, this vibrant, mid-sized city seamlessly blends nature and community. Why not board a Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruise, stroll the world's longest floating boardwalk, or hit up the coffee shops and eateries along Sherman Ave? From there, you can drive north to Sandpoint, another pristine lake town with beaches, breweries, and (if it's a winter trip) the nearby Schweitzer ski resort, or head east to the quirky mining town of Wallace to enjoy its historic downtown (the entirety of which is listed on the National Register) in the midst of the verdant Bitterroot Mountains.
Boise to Craters of the Moon
Another stimulating day trip that stays entirely within Idaho's purview is the drive from Boise to Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve. It's a bit of a journey to get to these other-worldly lava fields (i.e. approximately 170 miles, one-way, from the Boise Airport), but the juice is definitely worth the squeeze on this one. But before hitting the road, start by checking off some of the capital city's main attractions. Service men/women and armchair war buffs can head right next door to the Idaho Military History Museum, ornithophiles should drop down to The Peregrine Fund's World Center For Birds of Prey, those in search of some post-flight serenity will find it at the Idaho Botanical Garden, and anyone with a more morbid curiosity, can tour the Old Idaho Penitentiary Site. This just scratches the surface of Boise's tourism scene, so you might want to make a few notes for the back end of the road trip.
Craters of the Moon is conveniently equipped with a 7-mile Loop Road. This bit of scenic slow-travel will deliver the informative Robert Limbert Visitor Center, several hiking trails (including opportunities to summit some of the quintessential volcano cones), lava tube caves, and if you feel like extending your stay, the boulder-segmented sites of Lava Flow Campground. If you do spend the night, then expect to see the brilliance of the cosmos like only a designated International Dark Sky Park can provide (in this day and age). And if your prospective day trip takes place in the winter, know that Craters of the Moon is open year-round, and is a prime location for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Oregon
Portland to Florence/Oregon Dunes
Arriving at the Portland International Airport, one has the opportunity to explore Oregon's largest (and quirkiest) city, and then to tackle two very different day trips. After an evening of sampling Portland's craft beer and live music scene, rise early the next morning (you might also need to indulge in Portland's artisanal coffee scene first) and drive south, first to Eugene, and then due west to Florence — a total journey of about 170 miles (i.e., three hours). Florence is a destination unto itself, thanks to its old-timey harbor and top-tier crab and seafood chowder joints, but it is also the northern gateway to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Stretching for 40 miles all the way down to Coos Bay, this is a vast collection of temperate coastal sand dunes. Along with its striking beauty (which, speaking of books, was an inspiration for the setting for Frank Herbert's "Dune" series) and niche ecological importance, these windswept juggernauts are great for zipping around on off-highway vehicles and calorie-incinerating hikes.
Portland to Columbia River Gorge
A shorter, but equally scenic side trip from Portland involves taking the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway (Interstate 84) east into the Columbia River Gorge — America's largest National Scenic Area. Less than 30 miles from the Portland International Airport, the first of dozens of highway-side waterfalls — the 600-foot-tall Multnomah Falls — warrants a photo-op. Next, after saying hello to Horsetail Falls and Elowah Falls (and a few others), you'll arrive at the Pacific Crest Trail Town of Cascade Locks, where it is well-worth pulling in to marvel at the Bridge of the Gods and the freighters and sternwheelers that pass under it.
Another 20 miles on, in the shadow of the iconically conical Mount Hood, the hip city of Hood River invites an extended stay. Known as the "Windsurfing Capital of the World," Hood River is a fun place to kick back and admire the colorful acrobatics (or if you're skilled in the art of windsurfing/kitesurfing, to capitalize on the gorge's natural wind tunnel). The city also rivals Portland's per-capital brewery scene and boasts one of the state's coolest commercial cores. So it might (once again) be worth turning that day trip into an overnighter. Besides, there's still more gorge to explore.
If you find peace in the woods, comfort in company, or rejuvenation on the open road, then these Pacific Northwest day trips have you covered. This corner of the United States (and westernmost sliver of Canada) has the necessary ferries, highways, and airports to facilitate broad-spectrum travels, but still enormous swaths of protected wilderness to remind us why we flocked to this region in the first place. Sure, some sites are further away than others, but one thing is for sure, they are all worth the drive.
