Overview
Winthrop is a town in the Methow Valley, in the North Central Cascades of Washington State. This eastern gateway to North Cascades National Park has retained its historic frontier-town roots.
1 sights · 4 things to do · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Winthrop
Pearrygin Lake State Park
This state park covers 1,186 acres that almost entirely surround Pearrygin Lake, giving it 11,000 ft of shoreline. Park activities include camping, boating, fishing, swimming, water sports, and cross-country skiing. The …
Shafer Historical Museum
Methow Trails
Over 120 miles of cross country skiing trails, making the Methow Valley one of the premier locations in the world for this sport.
Winthrop Ice Rink
Mazama
Some of the best single- and multi-pitch sport climbing in Washington.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Leavenworth)
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.
- EAT Pangborn Memorial Airport, Wenatchee — 74 mi away. Directions
- PAE Seattle Paine Field International Airport, Everett — 104 mi away. Directions
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 121 mi away (major hub). Directions
State Route 20 (WA-20), known as the North Cascades Highway, passes through town, from Twisp to the east and North Cascades National Park to the west. WA-20 closes during the winter west of Winthrop, and is also subject to temporary winter storm closures.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Shafer Historical Museum, Winthrop Ice Rink, Mazama
- Afternoon Methow Trails, Pearrygin Lake State Park
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
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
With 300 days of sunshine, it's a popular base for backpacking, climbing, and backcountry skiing. It is also the base for the Methow Trails, a destination for cross country skiing.
Visitor information
Get in
By car
State Route 20 (WA-20), known as the North Cascades Highway, passes through town, from Twisp to the east and North Cascades National Park to the west. WA-20 closes during the winter west of Winthrop, and is also subject to temporary winter storm closures.
See
Main Street Winthrop has maintained an Old West feel, with simple wooden storefronts and antique signage.
Do
Winter sports
Nature
Do Pearrygin Lake State Park
This state park covers 1,186 acres that almost entirely surround Pearrygin Lake, giving it 11,000 ft of shoreline. Park activities include camping, boating, fishing, swimming, water sports, and cross-country skiing. The park's hiking trails include the 3.1 mi Rex Derr Trail.
Climbing
Buy
Winthrop is the last full-services stop along westbound WA-20 until Concrete, 104 mi west.
Sleep
Go next
- North Cascades National Park, some of the most dramatic and wild mountain scenery in the Pacific Northwest
- Chelan, at the foot of a 50-mile-long lake
Winthrop is on the North Cascade Loop itinerary.
Nearby
Twisp
City / town · 4 listings · 8 mi away
Okanogan
City / town · 3 listings · 28 mi away
Omak
City / town · 15 listings · 30 mi away
Pateros
City / town · 7 listings · 32 mi away
Brewster
City / town · 2 listings · 32 mi away
North Cascades National Park
Park · 40 listings · 34 mi away
Tonasket
City / town · 4 listings · 37 mi away
Bridgeport
City / town · 3 listings · 40 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.