Endless open spaces and unique opportunities for adventure can be found in rugged Okanogan County, the largest county in Washington State (and also the one with the fewest people per square mile). Wildlife outnumbers humans here by a dramatic margin. Grab your gear and head towards the jaw-dropping landscapes that Okanogan Country has to show you.
Hiking Hiking throughout Okanogan Country is phenomenal - and with the brand-new, 50+ page Free Hiking Guide, you’ll be able to get out there and find new places to explore, from the Methow Valley to the North Okanogan to the Grand Coulee area. Call or go online to order your free guide.
Horseback Riding Whether you’re new to horseback riding or an old pro, there are great opportunities for you in the Methow Valley, Winthrop and the North Okanogan. Try Early Winters in Mazama, Winthrop’s Sun Mountain Lodge, Pateros’ Whistlin’ Pine Ranch, and Eden Valley Guest Ranch near Oroville.
Cycling & Mountain biking Take advantage of Okanogan Country’s miles of multi-sport trails, including double/single tracks and some technical obstacles. The Methow Valley trail systems are excellent and well-known, but if you head further afield, Whistler Canyon near Oroville has dozens of interconnected trails to explore. On the road, you’ll find hundreds of miles of bike routes that are part of the US Bicycle Route System.
Golf The new, award-winning Gamble Sands Golf Course & Inn near Brewster has one of the most dramatic settings for true links golf in the world and Winner of Golf Digest's Best New Golf Course of 2014. According to world renowned course designer David McLay Kidd, the location is a “once in a lifetime site.” The Sands course is set in the high desert of Eastern Washington overlooking the mighty Columbia River, with sandy soil, traditional fine fescue grasses, firm playing surfaces, wide fairways, and massive greens. The Sands course offers a very playable experience that weighs in at 7,169 yards from the back tees and plays to a par 72.
And if you want to keep exploring, you’ll find six more golf courses across the county, each one a gem to be discovered.
Fishing The waterways in Okanogan Country are teeming with fish and wildlife. The Upper Columbia region is a nationally renowned fishing spot, playing host to species of bass, salmon and trout. Okanogan Country is the number one recreational fishing region statewide—that includes warm water fisheries and cold water trout and steelhead fisheries. Don’t miss fly fishing the in the Methow Valley, then head further south and east to experience some of the most popular bass fishing sites in the state. Consider staying at Howard’s on the River on Lake Pateros and check out the fishing near Brewster, Bridgeport and the Grand Coulee Area.
A winter wonderland, Okanogan Country has over 3,000 miles of trails and the largest Nordic ski trail system in North America. Known for its rugged beauty, snowy winters and big blue skies, the Pacific Northwest’s best-kept secret is ready to become your weekend adventure.
A year-round destination resort, Sun Mountain Lodge in the beautiful Methow Valley offers the outdoor enthusiast a unique playground and luxurious lodging.
Inspired by the enduring beauty of nature, Sun Mountain Lodge reflects harmony with its surroundings down to the last detail. Whether you’re looking for refined elegance or a rugged wilderness experience, a place to come together with the family or a romantic getaway, thrill-of-a-lifetime recreation or quiet reflection, or perhaps that rarified place where business and pleasure do mix, Sun Mountain Lodge is poised to exceed your expectations.
The Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix) is also known as the Hungarian Partridge, or around these parts, especially for game bird hunters, simply "Huns." Like many of our other "game birds,"… Read More >>>>
It's that time of year when we are starting to see fewer birds. The long-distance migratory birds like our warblers are long gone, and many species who just head a… Read More >>>>
"The Varied Thrush is a gorgeous bird with a simple single note for a song. It is closely related to the American Robin and other thrushes who are considered amazing… Read More >>>>
These woodpeckers are not especially abundant - in fact they are currently candidates for listing on the WA state endangered species list and they are a species-of-concern for Audubon Washington… Read More >>>>
Okanogan County is fortunate to be one of the few places in Washington where one can regularly see - and hear- Sandhill Cranes each spring and fall as they migrate.… Read More >>>>
"Grouse hunting season opened Sept 1 in Washington, and while I'm not a hunter I do think about Dusky Grouse a fair bit this time of year as the weather… Read More >>>>
Many of us see these big, colorful, and raucous finches in winter at our seed feeders, but because the Methow and Okanogan valleys and the surrounding mountains have high elevation… Read More >>>>
Spotted Sandpipers are "shorebirds" that are common just about all over Washington. Here in Okanogan County, we see (and hear!) them along rivers and streams though they could also be… Read More >>>>
With a cinnamon body and bright blue bill, the male Ruddy Duck is one of our most noticeable and memorable ducks. But look closer and longer and you'll notice that… Read More >>>>
The House Wren, a common, native bird all over the United States, is a small bird with a big voice that readily inhabits natural tree cavities and anything it can… Read More >>>>
Sapsuckers are woodpeckers but instead of pecking into and excavating wood in search of insects, they drill small holes in trees in order to make the tree's sap run. Read More >>>>
The Rufous Hummingbird is one of three hummingbirds that breed in Okanogan County. The other two are the Calliope and the Black-Chinned (occasional reports of Anna's come up but they… Read More >>>>
The Western Tanager is one of our most common forest birds in Eastern Washington, and with a yellow body and red head (on the male) you'd think they'd be easy… Read More >>>>
There are six swallow species in our area, and they are all incredible multi-tasking flyers who can communicate, catch insects and deftly swerve around each other all while flying. Read More >>>>
The Sinlahekin Wildlife Area is located within the Sinlahekin Valley. It offers a variety of fishing and recreational opportunities thanks to natural lakes, ponds, and man-made impoundments. Read More >>>>
"While the Ring-Necked Duck can be found fairly easily year-round in Okanogan County, I love watching them in the spring when they begin to congregate in large groups and pair… Read More >>>>
Western Meadowlarks are some of the first birds to come back to the Methow in early spring, and they aren't shy about announcing their arrival. Read More >>>>
The arrival of the Say's Phoebe is one of our first signs of spring here in Okanogan County, and they have been spotted daily for about a week now. Read More >>>>
According to the Seattle Audubon Society, Red-winged Blackbirds are widespread and abundant breeders throughout Washington's lowlands. In winter they are often less widespread, but can be abundant along the Columbia… Read More >>>>
Northern Flickers are large woodpeckers, mostly brown, with black-scalloped plumage and a flicker of crimson color on the top of their heads. According to the WDFW these woodpeckers were previously… Read More >>>>
These little sparrows can be spotted fluttering around the forest floor in search of seeds. During the warmer season, juncos are commonly found in the western mountains and the tips… Read More >>>>
Both valley (California) quail and mountain quail are found in Washington. Valley quail are by far the more abundant of the two and are found in vast numbers on both… Read More >>>>
Rough-legged Hawks are just 1 of 3 hawk species in the U.S. with feathers reaching all the way to their toes, an adaptation for life in cold climates.The Rough-legged hawk… Read More >>>>
These blue feathered birdies have deep blue coloring on the top of their heads, wings, and tail with bold rufous coloring on their breast. Females have slightly less coloring than… Read More >>>>
Over the years Trumpeter Swans have battled extinction due to hunters and feather collectors decimating the population. In the early 20th century swan feathers were often converted into writing quills,… Read More >>>>
The chukar is slightly larger than a valley quail and a little smaller than a ruffed grouse. Also known as red-legged partridge and rock partridge. Read More >>>>
Merriam turkeys are native to the coniferous mountains and canyons of Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. They live in the canyons and forests of northeast and central Washington. These turkeys… Read More >>>>
The Northern Pygmy-owl (Glaucidium gnoma) is our smallest owl, at 7 inches tall, including its long tail. Because of its size, long tail, proportionally small head, and daytime hunting behavior,… Read More >>>>
