Birth Watching
Dozens of areas along the Byway offer birders, naturalists, or the casual observer, grand opportunities to explore and seek out countless varieties of birds. Numerous locations along the Byway such as Swofford Pond, the Kosmos Unit of the Cowlitz Wildlife Area, Woods Creek, and Packwood Lake have earned the prestigious designation of being represented on Audubon’s Great Washington State Birding Trail.
Biking
Explore Bethel Ridge for a less challenging, yet scenic ride, or for a truly strenuous trek, opt for High Rock Lookout near Packwood.
Boating
Lakes Mayfield, Riffe, and Scanewa, and the Cowlitz River are just a few popular spots for boating. On the water is arguably the most relaxing way to spend a beautiful day outdoors.
Camping
Whether you seek the solitude and simplicity of tent camping or are looking for the perfect place to park the family RV, the White Pass Scenic Byway offers a true wilderness experience.
Fishing
Visit Mayfield or Riffe Lake for a day on the water, or troll the Cowlitz River, a year-round fisher’s paradise and home to the best steelhead fishing in the state. Both the Barrier Dam and Blue Creek boat fishing access areas have river fishing sites developed for wheelchair-bound users.
Geocaching
Visit Rainier Centennial GeoTour. Hunt for geocaches around Mount Rainier.
Golfing
Choose from the 9-hole course available at the Ironwood Green Golf Course in Glenoma or spend the afternoon at the Maple Grove Golf facility in Randle.
Hang Gliding
Watch the skies come alive with the colors of soaring hang gliders launching off Dog Mountain near Morton.
Hatcheries
Tacoma Power operates two large fish hatcheries on the Cowlitz River, the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery and the Cowlitz Trout Hatchery.
Hiking
Surrounding the Byway are the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, as well as the William O. Douglas, Tatoosh, and Goat Rocks Wilderness Areas.
Horseback Riding
Treat yourself to a leisurely tour on Divide Trail for fabulous views of Adams Glacier or enjoy fantastic vistas on the High Lakes Trail, a historic trail once used by Yakama Indians for berry picking. See the sights the cowboy way, on the back of a horse — and ride away from it all.
Motorcycling
Travel the road while taking in the majestic mountain views, stop at intriguing historic sites and have a bite to eat in one of the motorcycle friendly communities.
Off-Road Vehicles
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest with over 200 miles of trails has some of the best trails in Washington State. A great place to ride with some spectacular views and a variety of terrain from easy to difficult.
Picking & Gathering
The best areas for huckleberry picking are at higher elevations in the Cowlitz and Trout Lake Districts. Mushrooms may be harvested anywhere in the National Forests unless otherwise restricted, but note that harvesting mushrooms in the Wilderness Areas is prohibited.
River Rafting & Kayaking
Get introduced to the rivers of the Byway, the Tieton and Tilton, Cowlitz and Cispus. Join the many people who have come to know and love rafting these raging rivers.
Rock Climbing
The Byway’s Tieton River Canyon offers numerous routes up its craggy sides. Adventurous souls can spend the day exploring its many cracks and faces while taking in the splendid vistas and that arid Eastern Washington air.
Waterskiing
Spend the day on the water at beautiful Rimrock Lake or nearby Clear Lake. Be ready for a day of fun and full-speed-ahead excitement on the lake.
Wildlife Watching
Head to Woods Creek Watchable Wildlife Trail, the Cowlitz Wildlife Area’s Kosmos, and Swofford Pond – home to numerous varieties of waterfowl and songbirds. The diverse lands along the Byway encompass several different habitats. From fertile valleys to alpine woodlands to pine forests, keep your eyes peeled for a wide array of wildlife.
Wind Surfing
Riffe and Rimrock Lakes are popular locations for this sport. If you’re new to the sport, with a little instruction you’ll be sailing in no time.
For information, go to https://www.whitepassbyway.com
