A Popular Vacation Destination in Washington State

Washington is a special destination for a last minute vacation holiday. Packwood, Washington is an ideal year-round small town destination for outdoor enthusiasts who have an affinity for bargain hunting. It is nestled in the Big Bottom Valley and located only seven miles from the base of majestic Mt. Rainier. Packwood is surrounded by the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  The city is located in the heart of the Washington State volcano country. Located on Highway 12, just two hours from Seattle, it is centrally located between Mt. Rainier, Mt. Saint Helens and Mt. Adams. Packwood's population is about 1,500 in the winter and around 3,000 in the summer.

 Once primarily a logging town, Packwood has emerged as an outdoor adventurer's travel destination, and a summer home last minute vacation getaway for people of all ages. Nature surrounds Packwood and the wildlife is abundant which encourages visitors. Bald eagles soar above, the fish are plentiful in the Cowlitz River, and the herds of Elk are a sight that you will not soon forget. There is a small airport in the heart of town if you choose to fly in for a getaway

There are a remarkable number of activities to be found in this town. Whether your interests cover seasons of winter or summer, you will have a wide and amazing array to choose from on a last minute holiday. Winter offers cross country and downhill skiing and snowboarding at the White Pass Ski Resort. Mt. Rainier has spectacular winter trails for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking. Snowmobile riding is a favorite pastime in the area and there are many trails to satisfy even the most experienced. There is also a Christmas bazaar, uphill snowmobile climbing and a winter carnival.

Relax and enjoy hiking and the beautiful outdoors in the summer months. Enjoy the events of the town from a last minute vacation condo. Throughout the year there are hot rod shows and runs, art exhibitions, music festivals, auctions and several community BBQs. Mix these activities with hiking for every level of fitness, horseback riding, swimming, boating, and water sports and your last minute trip can be jam-packed with activities or you can go a few minutes out of town and be alone with nature. Many wilderness lakes and streams provide recreational activities nearby.

The hunting and fishing is unbeatable in the area and licenses are required in most cases. The town hosts two summertime swap meets with the one on Labor Day weekend which is the largest in the state. The other is on Memorial Day weekend and both attract tens of thousands of people. For some visitors golfing is a requirement on a last minute holiday and the Packwood area has several golf courses available that are open year-round. Packwood itself has two golf courses and other courses are nearby in Randall and Glenoma. Golfing here can be quite an experience at times. The elk and deer enjoy the courses at night and sometimes forget to leave during the day.