From saltwater bays and forested shorelines to river gorges and inland reservoirs, Washington has plenty of scenic drives away from the Pacific Coast. Here are five routes worth exploring, with stops for hikes, waterfront views and local attractions along the way.
Hood Canal
In places, U.S. 101 traces the shoreline of Hood Canal so closely that you can make out individual stones on its pebbled beaches. The highway follows the western shore of this Olympic Peninsula fjord, passing small communities such as Hoodsport and Lilliwaup.
Stop for fresh oysters at Hama Hama Oyster Saloon, an outdoor waterfront restaurant open Friday through Sunday. Potlatch State Park and Dosewallips State Park offer shoreline access along U.S. 101, while Twanoh State Park is a detour along State Route 106.
Columbia Gorge
Oregon’s Interstate 84 follows the Columbia River through the gorge, but Washington’s State Route 14 offers a more leisurely route along the opposite bank. Heading east from Vancouver, the highway passes Beacon Rock State Park and small towns such as Stevenson and Bingen. Farther east, forests give way to dry, grassy hills near Maryhill Museum of Art, a grand mansion on a bluff above the river. Maryhill Winery is nearby.
Chuckanut Drive
Running north toward Bellingham, Chuckanut Drive winds between the northern bays of Puget Sound and forested hills. Nearby Edison is worth a detour for Breadfarm, a bakery that’s become a destination in its own right.
Stop at Taylor Shellfish’s Samish Oyster Bar and Shellfish Market for seafood overlooking the oyster beds. For a more strenuous outing, hike to Oyster Dome for sweeping views of Samish Bay and the surrounding islands. Check the trailhead directions before setting out, since parking along Chuckanut Drive is limited.
End in Bellingham’s historic Fairhaven district, known for its shops and restaurants.
Lake Roosevelt
Lake Roosevelt is a reservoir on the Columbia River, created by Grand Coulee Dam downstream. The massive dam has a visitor center and a laser light show that runs from late May through September, though it’s a separate stop from the shoreline drive along State Route 25.
Start at historic Fort Spokane, where visitors can explore the grounds of a former military post. The nearby Fort Spokane day-use area offers access to the reservoir. From there, follow State Route 25 north toward Kettle Falls.
Lake Roosevelt is popular for boating, but visitors don’t need their own watercraft to experience the reservoir from the water. At Gifford, the Inchelium-Gifford Ferry carries passengers and vehicles across to Inchelium on the Colville Reservation. Check the schedule before visiting, since operating hours change seasonally and low water levels can suspend service.
Strait of Juan de Fuca
Begin in Port Angeles with a drive along Ediz Hook, a narrow spit extending into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. From its publicly accessible shoreline, you can look across the water toward Vancouver Island.
Heading west, State Route 112 takes you past the turnoff for Salt Creek Recreation Area, known for its beaches and tide pools, before continuing through Joyce and Clallam Bay. Finish in Neah Bay on the Makah Reservation, where the Makah Museum offers an introduction to Makah history and culture.
Visitors planning to explore beaches or trails on the reservation need a Makah Recreation Permit. Check road conditions before making the drive, especially in winter.
Take the scenic route
Choose a Washington waterfront drive and find your next stop.
Choose your drivePick a drive, then follow its stops.
The Hood Canal Floating Bridge spans Hood Canal in Washington. Photo by SEASTOCK/Getty Images
Hood Canal
U.S. 101 follows the western shore of Hood Canal, an Olympic Peninsula fjord.
Your drive
A selection of stops in the story’s order. Illustrated sequence, not a navigation map.
- 1: Hama Hama Oyster Saloon
- 2: Potlatch State Park
- 3: Dosewallips State Park
- 4: Twanoh State Park (Detour along State Route 106)
Hama Hama Oyster Saloon
Stop for fresh oysters at this outdoor waterfront restaurant.
- Open Friday through Sunday.
Every drive and stop, as text. Select a drive to open it.
Hood Canal: stops and links
U.S. 101 follows the western shore of Hood Canal, an Olympic Peninsula fjord.
Hama Hama Oyster Saloon
Stop for fresh oysters at this outdoor waterfront restaurant.
- Open Friday through Sunday.
Potlatch State Park
A state park that offers shoreline access along U.S. 101.
Dosewallips State Park
A state park that offers shoreline access along U.S. 101.
Twanoh State Park
Detour along State Route 106
A state park reached by a detour along State Route 106.
Columbia Gorge: stops and links
State Route 14 follows the Washington side of the Columbia River, heading east from Vancouver.
Beacon Rock State Park
Heading east from Vancouver, State Route 14 passes Beacon Rock State Park.
Maryhill Museum of Art
Farther east, forests give way to dry, grassy hills near this grand mansion on a bluff above the river.
Maryhill Winery
Maryhill Winery is nearby, close to the museum.
Chuckanut Drive: stops and links
Chuckanut Drive winds between the northern bays of Puget Sound and forested hills, running north toward Bellingham.
Breadfarm
Detour from Chuckanut Drive, in Edison
Edison is worth a detour for this bakery, which has become a destination in its own right.
Samish Oyster Bar & Shellfish Market
Stop at Taylor Shellfish’s Samish Oyster Bar and Shellfish Market for seafood overlooking the oyster beds.
Oyster Dome
A more strenuous outing, with sweeping views of Samish Bay and the surrounding islands.
- Check the trailhead directions before setting out, since parking along Chuckanut Drive is limited.
Fairhaven district
End in Bellingham’s historic Fairhaven district, known for its shops and restaurants.
Lake Roosevelt: stops and links
State Route 25 follows the Lake Roosevelt shoreline north toward Kettle Falls.
Fort Spokane
Start at historic Fort Spokane, where visitors can explore the grounds of a former military post.
Fort Spokane day-use area
The nearby day-use area offers access to the reservoir. From there, follow State Route 25 north toward Kettle Falls.
Inchelium-Gifford Ferry
Optional crossing
At Gifford, the ferry carries passengers and vehicles across to Inchelium on the Colville Reservation, so you can experience the reservoir from the water without your own boat.
- Check the schedule before visiting, since operating hours change seasonally and low water levels can suspend service.
Optional side trip: Grand Coulee Dam
Separate excursion, not on the State Route 25 shoreline drive
Lake Roosevelt is a reservoir on the Columbia River, created by Grand Coulee Dam downstream. The dam has a visitor center and a laser light show.
- The laser light show runs from late May through September.
Strait of Juan de Fuca: stops and links
Begin in Port Angeles, then head west on State Route 112 to Neah Bay.
Ediz Hook
Begin in Port Angeles with a drive along Ediz Hook, a narrow spit extending into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. From its publicly accessible shoreline, you can look across the water toward Vancouver Island.
Salt Creek Recreation Area
Heading west, State Route 112 takes you past the turnoff for Salt Creek Recreation Area, known for its beaches and tide pools, before continuing through Joyce and Clallam Bay.
Makah Museum
Finish in Neah Bay on the Makah Reservation, where the museum offers an introduction to Makah history and culture.
- Visitors planning to explore beaches or trails on the reservation need a Makah Recreation Permit.
Check road conditions before making the drive, especially in winter. WSDOT real-time travel information (opens in a new tab)
Evergreen route inspiration, not a live conditions service. Check hours, access and conditions with official sources before you go.
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