The best thing about road trips? You don’t have to plan every little detail. Pick a few highlights—sights you definitely want to see, towns you’d like to stay in for a few days, and maybe the highwaycaféwith the best nachos—and the rest can unfold naturally, wherever the routetakes you. In the Pacific Northwest, roadways lead up and down rugged coastlines, toward jagged mountain ranges, across vast stretches of volcano-filled wilderness, and into throwback fishing towns filled with oyster farms and coffee shops. All you have to do is decide what areaand type of activities you’re after.
For Mountain Bikers
Oakridge to MountHood, Oregon
Mountain bikers love the Pacific Northwest for its dense, year-round trail networks that wind through old-growth forests. Start in central Oregon at the singletrack hub of Oakridge, an hour southeast ofEugene. Stay at the eight-room (from $109), where the on-site Mountain Market has beers and sandwiches and a yoga studio. From the lodge, the shuttle service will takeyou to the top of the 15-mile. Nexthit up Bend,two hours east by car, for its 277 miles (and counting) of mountain-bike trails, ranging from rolling cross-country to a on MountBachelor. has all your bike-gear needsplus trail beta. Or stay at (bunks from $50, private rooms from $110) for its on-site bike-demo fleet. For your third stop, the Columbia River Gorge, three hours north ofBend near MountHood, has a wide variety of trails, like the near the town of Hood River. All 41 rooms at the historic (from $99) have recently been restored.
For Surfers
Westport, Washington, to Tofino, British Columbia
Surfing in the PNW isn’t for everyone. You’ll need a thick wetsuit and considerableresilience for the coast’s hard-to-access beaches, cold temperatures, and wet conditionsin and out of the water. If you’re up for all of that, the Northwest has empty and world-class surf spots waiting for you. There are to choose from in Westport, on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where you can rent a board and a wetsuit from the surf shop. Pick up clam chowder and a dozen oysters at, 30 minutes east, in Aberdeen, for your 125-mile drive north on scenic Highway 101, en route to the town of Forks. The (from $129) has cabins, tent sites, and rooms just a few miles from the reef break at From thereit’s a stunning eight-hour drive, which includes a one-hour ferry ride from Port Angeles, Washington, to Victoria, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, to reach, an old fishing village that’s morphed into the Northwest’s premier surf spot. (from $127) has beachfront cedar cabins, where you can have a post-surf bonfire on MacKenzie Beach.
For Climbers
Smith Rock State Park, Oregon, to Squamish, British Columbia
, in central Oregon’s high desert, is a basalt gorge with rock spires that have long been a haven for sport climbers. Pitch a tent alongside others at the, the walk-in, year-round campground inside the park, or stay in studio (from $72), a 15-minute drive south, in Redmond. In the adjacent town of Terrebonne, has gear, a massage studio, and beer and kombucha on tap. Don’t miss the pulled-pork nachos at nearby, which is now owned by a couple of climbers. Hit the road northbound for five hours to North Bend, Washington, where you can climb 30 minutes from downtown Seattle at Exit 32 off Interstate 90, in an overhanging zone called, before picking up sprinkled mochi doughnuts at the newly opened in Seattle’s International District. Beeline it four hours north and across the border into, where you can find everything from easy-access bouldering to giant, multi-pitch walls. Stay in a cabin along the Cheakamus River at (from $86) or get a ski- or mountain-bike-themed room at the revamped(from $79), which openedin October.
For Skiers
Crystal Mountain, Washington, to Revelstoke, British Columbia
Begin your winter road trip at, a snow-drenched ski area two hours southeast ofSeattle under the shadows of Mount Rainier. End your day with nachos at the steamy, below the Alpine Inn at the base of the mountain, and a soak in the pool-sizehot tub in front of your condo at (from $300). Nextit’s off to Washington’s low-key, 200 miles north. The six-room (from $99) or the condos at (from $145), in the tiny town of Glacier at the base of the ski area’s access road, are next door to, the go-to après-ski spot for a slice and a pint. It’s another 350 miles north to reach, which is opening a new intermediate-friendly lift this winter called the Stellar chairfrom the top of the gondola. (from $82) in town has a free breakfast spread and dog-friendly rooms.
For Trail Runners
Boise, Idaho, to Leavenworth, Washington
Find excellent trail running five minutes north ofdowntown Boisewhen you start at and head 1.5 miles to Hull’s Gulch Reserve. Stay at the (from $155), a restored propertywith newly added apartments and a hip late-night cocktail scene in the city’s Linen District. In the morning, grab a coffee at, owned by former pro skateboarder Lucas Erlebach and housed in an old auto-body shop. It’s a 450-mile haul from there to the Bavarian village of Leavenworth,but you can stop en route for a run in the Wallowa Mountains of eastern Oregon. (The 10.5-mile into Eagle Cap Wilderness is a standout for its views.) Once you make it to Leavenworth, you’ll find hundreds of miles of trails; after,have a few steins of beer at. (from $193) has lofted rooms and cabins that fit the whole family.
For Paddlers
Rogue River, Oregon, to Forks of Salmon, California
You cannot beat a four-day day float down Oregon’s Wild and Scenic–designated Rogue River to kick off a road trip. offers guided adventuresfrom $1,095. Stay in a rustic riverside cabin at (from $129) before you put in. Afterwardenjoy a dramatic150-mile drive south through the Klamath Mountains to reach the tiny Northern California town of Forks of Salmon, located at the confluence of the north and south forks of the Salmon River. (from $2,490 for an all-inclusive stay and instruction) runsa whitewater-kayaking school for everyone from rookies to kids to experienced paddlers. The lodge itself sleeps up to 14 and featurescatered meals and a wood-fired sauna.