Pacific Northwest Coast & Cascades: 10 Days by Class C

Morning

Pick up any last-minute gear and provisions in Seattle before rolling. Hit the REI flagship on Pike Street — it's a full outfitter store AND has a climbing wall worth ogling. Stock the motorhome with Pacific Northwest provisions at Pike Place Market: smoked salmon, Beecher's cheese, and a bag of coffee from Storyville.

On the road

Positioning day. Keep driving to a minimum — you'll need the Class C fueled, leveled, and systems checked before the big loop begins.

Lunch

Taylor Shellfish Oyster Bar, Capitol HillFarm-to-table oysters from Puget Sound bays — a proper Pacific Northwest sendoff before you go chase the coast yourself.

Afternoon

• Pike Place Market, SeattleStock the motorhome with real food before hitting rural stretches. The smoked salmon from Pure Food Fish Market is the best road-trip snack in the PNW.
• REI Co-op Flagship, Seattle (222 Yale Ave N)Last chance to grab rain shells, fishing licenses, or any forgotten camp essentials before leaving the city.

Sleep

Seattle / Tacoma KOA, Auburn, WA ($75–$90/night)Full hookups, 50-amp service, and easy highway access for your early departure toward the Olympic Peninsula tomorrow. Staging here beats city parking hassles.

Dinner

Fremont Brewing Urban Beer GardenSeattle's most beloved craft brewery with a massive open-air beer garden. The Universale Pale Ale is iconic. Grab a food truck bite and toast to 10 days ahead.

Notes

July 18 is a Saturday; Pike Place will be packed by 10am. Go early or go late afternoon.

85 mi · ~2.5 hrs driving

Morning

Take the Bremerton ferry from Seattle (or drive the Narrows Bridge) for a scenic water crossing that immediately puts you in Olympic Peninsula mode. The Kitsap Peninsula driving is gorgeous and uncrowded — a perfect decompression from city life.

On the road

The ferry option makes this feel like an adventure from the jump. Check Washington State Ferries schedule at wsdot.wa.gov — book the Bremerton run if you want the classic approach.

Lunch

Silverwater Café, Port TownsendLocal halibut and Dungeness crab in a cozy Victorian building. Order the chowder — it's been winning people over for decades.

Afternoon

• Fort Worden State Park Bluff TrailVictorian-era military fort with commanding views across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Canadian Gulf Islands. The concrete bunkers are genuinely fascinating and totally free to explore.
• Port Townsend waterfront & downtown Victorian districtBest-preserved Victorian seaport town in the US. The main street shops are quirky and locally owned — not a chain in sight.

Sleep

Point Hudson RV Park, Port Townsend ($55–$75/night)Full hookups right on the marina — you can hear the harbor seals from your bunk and watch sailboats from your camp chair. Probably the most scenic RV parking on the Olympic Peninsula.

Dinner

Propolis Brewing, Port TownsendFarmhouse ales brewed with locally foraged botanicals — genuinely unlike anything else in the PNW craft beer scene. The saison with lavender is remarkable.

Notes

Pick up your Washington State Discover Pass if you plan to use state parks — you'll thank yourself later.

145 mi · ~3 hrs driving

Morning

Head west on US-101 through the Sequim rain shadow (surprisingly sunny!) and continue through the logging country around Forks. This stretch of 101 is legitimately one of the great American drives — dense rainforest walls the highway.

On the road

The Hoh Rain Forest Road (18 miles off 101) is paved and fine for Class C. Don't rush it — elk are frequently spotted in the roadside meadows at dusk.

Lunch

Hard Rain Café, Hoh Rain Forest RoadTiny, quirky roadside café near the park entrance. Grab a bowl of soup and a slice of pie before diving into the forest.

Afternoon

• Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center & Hall of Mosses TrailThe Hall of Mosses is one of those rare places that looks like a Tolkien illustration brought to life. Bigleaf maples draped in club moss, 300-year-old Sitka spruce, Roosevelt elk wandering through. The 0.8-mile loop is short but worth every step.
• Hoh River Trail (first 2 miles)The flat river trail gives you old-growth forest solitude and almost guaranteed elk sightings in July. The river itself is glacial blue-green — unforgettable.

Sleep

Hoh Rain Forest Campground (NPS), Olympic NP ($24/night)Sleeping inside a temperate rainforest under 300-foot Sitka spruce is a genuinely rare experience. Reserve on recreation.gov well ahead — this fills months out in July. No hookups, but your Class C tanks will be fine for one night.

Dinner

Smoke in the City BBQ, ForksBest hearty meal near Olympic's west side. After a day of hiking in the rain forest, smoked brisket hits exactly right.

Notes

Buy your America the Beautiful annual pass at the Olympic NP entrance if you don't have one — it pays for itself on this trip across three national parks.

35 mi · ~0.75 hrs driving

Morning

Short drive south to the Olympic coast — one of the only wilderness coastlines in the contiguous US. Ruby Beach is the crown jewel: sea stacks, drift logs the size of school buses, and tide pools packed with purple urchins and ochre sea stars.

On the road

Only 35 miles today — a genuine rest day. Use the extra time to fish, beach-comb, or nap in the camp chairs overlooking the ocean.

Lunch

Pack a lunch from your motorhome provisionsEat on the driftwood logs at Ruby Beach — it's one of the great picnic settings on earth. Smoked salmon from Pike Place + Beecher's cheese + a good thermos of coffee.

Afternoon

• Ruby Beach, Olympic NPArguably the most dramatic beach in the Lower 48. The combination of sea stacks, Abbey Island, driftwood sculptures, and volcanic rock tide pools is completely otherworldly. Go at low tide for the best tide pooling.
• Kalaloch Beach & Kalaloch Creek estuaryThe creek estuary is an excellent fishing spot for searun cutthroat trout in July. Bring your rod — no boat needed, just a Washington state fishing license and a fly or small spinner.

Sleep

Kalaloch Campground, Olympic NP ($26/night)Oceanfront NPS campground — some sites are literally on the bluff edge above the Pacific. You'll fall asleep to the sound of breakers. Reserve on recreation.gov; this is the most sought-after coastal camp on the peninsula.

Dinner

Kalaloch Lodge RestaurantThe lodge perches on a bluff above the Pacific with panoramic ocean views. The Dungeness crab cakes and clam chowder use local shellfish. Worth the splurge for a treat-yourself night.

Notes

Check the tide chart before visiting Ruby Beach. Low tide reveals the best tide pools and is much safer for walking around sea stacks. Tides.net or a free NOAA app works great.

130 mi · ~2.5 hrs driving

Morning

Swing through the Lake Quinault area for a short stop at the world's largest Sitka spruce — a genuinely absurd tree you can drive past on South Shore Road. The Quinault Rain Forest loop trail (4 miles) is a quieter alternative to the Hoh with equally stunning old growth.

On the road

US-12 over White Pass is a beautiful alternative routing if you want to add scenery — but for Class C efficiency, US-101 → SR-8 → I-5 → SR-410 is the practical choice to reach Enumclaw.

Lunch

Quinault Rain Forest Resort Restaurant, Lake QuinaultLakeside setting, solid Pacific Northwest comfort food, and pie made in-house. The fish chowder earns its reputation.

Afternoon

• Lake Quinault South Shore Rain Forest Loop TrailFour miles of old-growth Sitka spruce and Douglas fir so big you lose spatial reference. Far fewer visitors than the Hoh — you may have long stretches completely to yourself.
• Grays Harbor — surf check at WestportThe most consistent surf break in Washington. Even if you don't surf, watching the sets roll in past the lighthouse is a great coastal sendoff before turning inland toward Rainier.

Sleep

Enumclaw KOA / Expo Center RV Park, Enumclaw, WA ($55–$70/night)Full hookups and easy access to Rainier's Carbon River and White River entrances. Enumclaw is your practical base for Rainier day-one exploration.

Dinner

7 Brides Brewing, EnumclawSeven-barrel craft brewery near the Rainier gateway with locally sourced pub food. A perfect transition-to-mountains pint before settling in for the night.

Notes

This is your transition day from coast to mountains. Dump tanks and refill water if needed before heading into Rainier.

80 mi · ~2 hrs driving

Morning

Enter Rainier via the White River entrance and drive to Sunrise — at 6,400 feet, it's the highest point you can drive to in the park. On a clear July morning, the 14,411-foot summit of Rainier is so close it seems fake. The Emmons Moraine Trail is one of the best short hikes in the park.

On the road

The SR-410 corridor is fine for Class C. The Paradise Road has some tight curves — take it slow. No generators allowed at Cougar Rock during quiet hours (10pm–6am).

Lunch

Pack lunch and eat at Panorama PointThere is no better lunch table in Washington State than a flat rock at 6,800 feet with Rainier overhead and St. Helens, Adams, and Hood lined up on the horizon.

Afternoon

• Sunrise Visitor Center & Emmons Moraine TrailThe Emmons Glacier is the largest glacier in the contiguous US by area, and the moraine trail puts you right at its edge. The wildflower meadows in late July are sensational — lupine, paintbrush, and bistort covering every slope.
• Paradise & Skyline Trail (partial loop to Panorama Point)The Skyline Trail to Panorama Point at 6,800 feet is the iconic Rainier hike — subalpine meadows, snowfield crossings, and a 360° view of the Cascade volcanoes. Do the 5-mile version up to Panorama Point and back. Bring poles; there's almost always snow on the upper trail in July.

Sleep

Cougar Rock Campground, Mount Rainier NP ($30/night)Best campground inside Rainier — old-growth forest sites with some electrical hookups available for RVs. Reserve months ahead on recreation.gov. It fills completely in July.

Dinner

Paradise Inn Dining RoomThe 1917 National Historic Landmark lodge with cathedral ceilings and massive stone fireplace. The prime rib sells out — get there by 6pm. This is a classic treat-yourself dinner inside a living museum.

Notes

July is prime wildflower season at Rainier — typically peaks mid-July to early August. You're timing this perfectly.

165 mi · ~3.25 hrs driving

Morning

Drive the dramatic US-97 corridor through apple orchard country and over Blewett Pass — a highway that feels like it belongs in a different era. The Wenatchee River valley opens up in a spectacular way as you descend into Leavenworth.

On the road

US-12 through Naches and US-97 over Blewett Pass is a spectacular but less-traveled route. Class C handles it fine. Avoid SR-2 Tumwater Canyon with a big rig if there's road work — check WSDOT.

Lunch

Munchen Haus, LeavenworthGourmet brats grilled over charcoal, 20 local taps, and an outdoor beer garden with a mountain view. Best fast-casual meal in town, no debate.

Afternoon

• Icicle Creek Road & Icicle Creek fishingIcicle Creek is one of the best easily accessible fly-fishing streams in the Cascades — native rainbow and cutthroat trout in crystal-clear mountain water with a granite canyon backdrop. Gear up and wet a line; this is what you came for.
• Leavenworth downtown (Bavarian village)Yes, it's kitschy — but it's genuinely fun, the bakeries are excellent, and the mountain backdrop framing the village is legitimately beautiful. Grab a pretzel and a stein of something local at Andreas Keller.

Sleep

Icicle River RV Resort, Leavenworth ($70–$95/night)Full hookups right alongside Icicle Creek — you can literally fish from the edge of the RV park. The Cascades rise on all sides. One of the most scenically situated RV resorts in Washington.

Dinner

Icicle Brewing, LeavenworthLeavenworth's best craft brewery with 16+ taps, river views, and a food menu that goes well beyond pub fare. The Pistenbulli Lager is their classic — paired with a wood-fired pizza it's near perfect.

Notes

Check current Washington fishing regulations at wdfw.wa.gov before fishing Icicle Creek — it's catch-and-release only for certain species and stretches.

120 mi · ~2.5 hrs driving

Morning

SR-20, the North Cascades Highway, is the drive of the entire trip. Crossing Washington Pass at 5,477 feet with the Liberty Bell formation overhead, then descending past Diablo Lake's impossible turquoise water — this is why people make this trip. Take your time. Stop at every pullout.

On the road

SR-20 is absolutely fine for Class C but has long stretches with no services. Fill the tank in Leavenworth. The highway is open by mid-June and fully operational in July — verify at wsdot.wa.gov.

Lunch

Pack lunch — eat at the Washington Pass OverlookYou're above 5,000 feet with a 360° view of the Cascades. No restaurant in Mazama or Winthrop beats that setting. Sandwiches from Leavenworth provisions work perfectly.

Afternoon

• Washington Pass OverlookThe short paved path to the overlook puts you face-to-face with the sheer granite spires of Early Winters and Liberty Bell. One of the most dramatic mountain overlooks in the Lower 48, full stop.
• Diablo Lake Overlook & TrailThe turquoise color of Diablo Lake comes from glacial flour suspended in the water — it looks digitally altered but it's real. The overlook trail is short but the views are elite-tier. If time allows, rent a kayak from the North Cascades Institute.
• Newhalem Visitor Center & River Loop TrailNewhalem is a genuine company town built by Seattle City Light — the whole village is on the National Register. The short Newhalem Creek loop is an easy evening walk through old-growth Douglas fir.

Sleep

Goodell Creek Campground, North Cascades NP ($16/night)Riverside camping at the edge of North Cascades. No hookups (primitive), but the Skagit River runs alongside your site and the whitewater sound is better than any white-noise machine. Fine for one night on your Class C tanks.

Dinner

Cascadian Farm Organic Roadside Stand, RockportIt's not dinner but it's unmissable — the roadside farm stand of the organic farming pioneer. Stop for berry soft-serve before settling in at camp. Supplement with a camp meal at the motorhome.

Notes

If you want a Harvest Hosts stay near wine country or a North Cascades-area brewery/farm, today's positioning makes that possible — the Winthrop area has several members. Check your Harvest Hosts app before committing to Goodell Creek.

75 mi · ~1.5 hrs driving

Morning

Drive east over the pass in the morning light — the east-side descent toward Winthrop is completely different from the west: drier, pine-scented, with open views of the Methow Valley. Winthrop is a Western-theme town done right, without feeling fake.

On the road

Only 75 miles today — lean into the leisure. The Methow Valley on a summer Sunday is one of the great experiences in the American West.

Lunch

Old Schoolhouse Brewery, WinthropThe oldest brewery in the Methow, right on the main drag. The Dogleg IPA is excellent, the wood-fired pizza is legit, and the porch looks straight at the mountains. This is the craft beer stop of the trip.

Afternoon

• Methow River fishing — Winthrop Town Pond or river accessThe Methow River is one of the last rivers in Washington with wild steelhead — check WDFW regs for current season rules. Even outside steelhead season, the river holds beautiful rainbow and brown trout. This is your best fishing day of the trip.
• Sun Mountain Lodge Trails (day use)Sun Mountain Lodge sits on a ridge above the Methow Valley with 30 miles of trails accessible for day use. The Patterson Lake loop gives you wildflower meadows and a postcard-perfect mountain lake. Arguably the best view in the Methow.

Sleep

Winthrop / North Cascades KOA ($65–$85/night)Full hookups, beautiful mountain valley setting, and walking distance to Winthrop's main street. Dump tanks, do laundry, and enjoy your last full night before heading home.

Dinner

Duck Brand Cantina, WinthropMexican food in a Western town in the Cascades sounds wrong but it's been a Winthrop institution for decades. The green chile and margaritas are outstanding after a day on the river.

Notes

Winthrop operates on a voluntary Western-frontier theme — all the storefronts have false-front architecture. It's charming rather than tacky because the surrounding landscape is so stunning.

210 mi · ~4 hrs driving

Morning

Choose your return route: SR-20 west back over the North Cascades (most scenic but retraces Day 8) or US-2 west over Stevens Pass — a different, equally gorgeous Cascade crossing through Leavenworth and the Skykomish River valley. US-2 / Stevens Pass is the better choice to see new terrain.

On the road

US-2 over Stevens Pass is 4 hours to Seattle — manageable, and the Skykomish River canyon alone is worth it. Avoid I-5 through Everett on a Monday afternoon if you can; SR-9 to I-405 is a cleaner approach.

Lunch

Cascadia Brewing, Leavenworth (en route)One last craft beer stop on the mountain side of the pass before dropping into Puget Sound traffic. The patio faces the Cascades — a fitting farewell to the mountains.

Afternoon

• Wallace Falls State Park, Gold Bar (US-2 route)A short 5-mile hike to a 265-foot waterfall — the perfect final trail of the trip. The upper falls viewpoint is dramatic and the forest is classic PNW old-growth. Park opens at 8am.
• Snohomish — antique districtSnohomish has the largest concentration of antique dealers in Washington. Great place to find a road-trip memento on the way back to the city.

Sleep

Return home or overnight at Seattle / Tacoma KOA ($75–$90/night)If you're flying home or returning a vehicle, stage back at the Auburn KOA for a clean return. Otherwise you've earned your driveway.

Dinner

Populuxe Brewing, Ballard, SeattleClassic Seattle neighborhood brewery in Ballard — the craft beer capital of the Pacific Northwest. The Ballard IPA and the smoked porter are both outstanding. End the trip where Seattle's beer culture is most alive.

Notes

Fuel up in Leavenworth — gas on the western slope of Stevens Pass is expensive. Dump tanks in Winthrop before departure.