An important part of the travel experience for a byway is the character of the byway communities. Much more than simply providing necessary travelers’ services, corridor communities allow travelers to experience the culture of the byway, make personal connections with local residents, and value the corridor as a place to live as well as a place to visit. Welcoming communities with shops, restaurants, and friendly faces are some of the best places along the byway.

Salkum A small residential community with a library and a bed & breakfast, Salkum has limited traveler services but provides access to the Cowlitz River for fishing, boating, and visiting salmon and trout hatcheries.

Tacoma Power

Mossyrock

Mossyrock is in the heart of the Lakes District. The city has recently completed a main street renovation, and the charming downtown includes restaurants, lodging, outfitters and a small theater. Mossyrock is a popular base camp for travelers fishing the Cowlitz River, Mayfield Lake, and Riffe Lake. Mossyrock also is the location of DeGoede’s Bulb Farm, which includes a popular display garden and extensive tulip fields.

Morton

Find the City of Morton nestled in a valley between Mt. Rainier National Park and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Located at the intersection of US 12 and SR 7,
Washington State Tourismthis rural community has a compact downtown area and a contemporary commercial area at the highway intersection. For travelers, Morton offers both lodging and dining options, as well as support services including a hospital and two full service grocery stores. It is home to one of the corridor’s major annual events, the Loggers’ Jubilee. Morton also boasts the charming 1930s historic Roxy Theater captivating audiences through song, dance and dialogue. Morton was the terminus of the railroad connecting to Tacoma, and has been a major commercial and transportation hub since the early 1900’s. See the renovated Morton Depot. Built in 1910, it is a source of pride for this mountain community. With an active lumber mill, Morton continues to be a commercial center for this area of the corridor.

Morton Chamber of Commerce

Glenoma A primarily residential community providing recreational access to the east end of Riffe Lake. Glenoma provides limited traveler services.

Randle

Dave OlsonRandle is a mainly residential community, with an active timber mill and the ranger station for the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Randle is also the intersection between the White Pass Scenic Byway and the road connecting to the major roads through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, FS 23, FS 25, and FS 99. This is the direct route to the Windy Ridge viewpoint of Mount St. Helens, Mt Adams backcountry and to a wide variety of outdoor recreation in the forest.

Packwood

Packwood is the last major town on the west side of White Pass. Set at the base of the Tatoosh range and on the banks of the Cowlitz River, Packwood is surrounded by dramatic natural landscapes, most of which are in public ownership.

Packwood, located less then ten miles from the Ohanapecosh entrance to Mount Rainier national Park, also has a fairly direct connection to the Nisqually entrance via Skate Creek Road during the summer months. Packwood has several restaurants in its downtown core along US 12, also the town’s main street, and offers a wide range of lodging. In addition to travelers visiting Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and the Gifford Pinchot national Forest in the summer, Packwood provides lodging for White Pass skiers during winter season.

Destination Packwood

Rimrock Retreat A small resort area with lodging, a general store, and vacation homes tucked on the banks of Rimrock Lake. The community is highly seasonal, offering camping, fishing, and boating through the summer then slowing down for the wintertime. US 12 is Rimrock Retreat’s main street, and serves a bustling small community during the summer season.

Tim Bentz

Naches

Naches Valley Chamber of CommerceLocated near the intersection of SR 410 and US 12, Naches has a small historic downtown and larger highway –related commercial strip along US 12. Roadside retail in Naches includes fresh local tree fruit in season. Naches has a few restaurants and a hotel for lodging. The ranger station for the Naches Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest provides visitor information. Naches was incorporated in 1921 and has a population of about 800.

Naches Valley Chamber of Commerce