Overview
Packwood is a mountain town in the Cascades of southwest Washington State. It is close to both Mount Adams and the east side of Mount Rainier, and is the closest town to White Pass.
1 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Packwood
White Pass Ski Resort
The resort has five chairlifts: two high speed quads, two fixed-grip quads, and one triple. It also includes 3 magic carpets for beginning skiers, and 2 terrain parks.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 76°F; winter lows dip to about 25°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Nov and Dec. (climate data from nearby Mount Rainier National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- YKM Yakima Air Terminal McAllister Field, Yakima — 54 mi away. Directions
- TIW Tacoma Narrows Airport, Tacoma — 62 mi away. Directions
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 65 mi away (major hub). Directions
US Highway 12 (US-12) is the only major road through town, connecting to Mossyrock, Chehalis and the Interstate 5 corridor to the west, and Yakima to the east over White Pass, 20 mi from town.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Packwood is in the upper Cowlitz River valley, just downstream of the confluence of the Muddy and Clear forks of the Cowlitz.
William Packwood and James Longmire were tasked by the Washington Territorial Legislature to chart a low pass over the Cascade Range, necessitated by the deaths of several delegates in their journey to the first legislative session. As a mark of their successes in this venture, the charted pass – called the Packwood Saddle – is still unused by any road, trail, or other conveyance. Instead, Charles A. White led the surveying party that discovered White Pass for the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1878, eventually becoming the path for U.S. Route 12.
Get in
US Highway 12 (US-12) is the only major road through town, connecting to Mossyrock, Chehalis and the Interstate 5 corridor to the west, and Yakima to the east over White Pass, 20 mi from town.
By bus
Do
Buy
Shop Kracker Barrel Store (White Pass)
Gas station/mini-mart and contract post office at White Pass, right off the trail; accepts resupply packages ($10 hold fee per 30 days). Limited selection — supplement with the store's food if you're not shipping a full box. Laundry and showers on site.
Go next
Nearby
Mount Rainier National Park
Park · 67 listings · 18 mi away
Ashford
City / town · 3 listings · 19 mi away
Eatonville
City / town · 2 listings · 34 mi away
Greenwater
City / town · 6 listings · 37 mi away
Mount St. Helens
Park · 9 listings · 38 mi away
Mossyrock
City / town · 3 listings · 39 mi away
Puyallup
City / town · 13 listings · 49 mi away
Toutle
City / town · 2 listings · 52 mi away
My experience
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