The Pacific Northwest offers some of the most diverse overlanding terrain in North America. From volcanic landscapes and old-growth forests to coastal routes and high alpine passes, Washington and Oregon provide year-round adventure opportunities. This guide covers essential overlanding routes in the PNW, with difficulty ratings, seasonal considerations, and what makes each area special.
Washington State
Naches Pass / Naches Trail
A historic route crossing the Cascades, Naches Pass offers moderate difficulty with spectacular views of Mount Rainier on clear days.
- Difficulty: Moderate (some rocky sections, water crossings possible)
- Length: Approximately 25 miles
- Time needed: Full day or overnight
- Best season: July through October (snow closes the pass)
- Permits: Discover Pass required for Washington state lands
- Highlights: Rainier views, subalpine meadows, historic wagon route
Tahuya State Forest
Located on the Kitsap Peninsula, Tahuya provides miles of interconnected trails suitable for beginners and experts alike.
- Difficulty: Easy to difficult (choose your own adventure)
- Length: 100+ miles of trails
- Time needed: Day trip to multi-day
- Best season: Year-round (muddy in winter)
- Permits: Discover Pass
- Highlights: Variety of terrain, close to Seattle/Tacoma, great for skill building
Olympic National Forest Roads
The Olympic Peninsula offers countless forest roads through temperate rainforest, with access to remote beaches and mountain viewpoints.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate (varies by route)
- Areas to explore: Wynoochee, Skokomish, Dosewallips river valleys
- Best season: May through October
- Dispersed camping: Widely available on National Forest land
- Highlights: Old-growth forests, river access, solitude
Cle Elum Area
East of Snoqualmie Pass, the Cle Elum area offers drier conditions than the west side, with extensive National Forest access.
- Popular routes: French Cabin Road, Teanaway, Manastash Ridge
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Best season: May through November
- Camping: Numerous dispersed sites along forest roads
- Highlights: Wildflowers in spring, fall colors, stargazing
Oregon
Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route (OBDR)
A 1,230-mile route traversing Oregon from the California border to Washington, the OBDR showcases the state’s incredible diversity.
- Difficulty: Moderate overall (some challenging sections)
- Time needed: 7-14 days for full route
- Best season: July through September (high elevation sections)
- Terrain: High desert, mountain passes, forest roads, coastal access
- Highlights: Hart Mountain, Steens Mountain, Cascade lakes
Steens Mountain Loop
One of Oregon’s most spectacular overlanding destinations, Steens Mountain rises nearly 10,000 feet from the Alvord Desert floor.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate (main loop road)
- Length: 66-mile loop
- Time needed: Full day to multi-day
- Best season: July through October (snow closes upper sections)
- Dispersed camping: Excellent options throughout
- Highlights: Kiger Gorge, wildflowers, wild horses, Alvord Desert hot springs
Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge
Remote high desert with natural hot springs, pronghorn herds, and true solitude.
- Difficulty: Easy (graded roads) to moderate (backcountry)
- Time needed: 1-3 days
- Best season: May through October
- Camping: Free at Hot Springs Campground (natural hot springs)
- Highlights: Hot springs, wildlife, dark skies, petroglyphs
Central Oregon Cascades
Extensive forest road networks around Bend, Sisters, and the Cascade lakes provide countless exploration opportunities.
- Popular areas: Cascade Lakes Highway, Three Sisters Wilderness access, Newberry Volcanic Monument
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Best season: June through October
- Camping: Abundant dispersed camping on Deschutes National Forest
- Highlights: Volcanic geology, alpine lakes, mountain views
PNW Overlanding Considerations
Weather and Seasons
- West side: Rain dominates October through June – waterproof gear essential
- East side: Drier but colder – extends the season for many routes
- Summer: Fire season may close areas; check current restrictions
- Winter: Low elevation routes remain accessible; higher passes close
Required Passes
- Washington: Discover Pass ($30/year) for state lands
- Oregon: No state parks pass required for dispersed camping
- Both: Northwest Forest Pass ($30/year) for many National Forest trailheads
Vehicle Considerations
- Mud capability: Many PNW roads become rutted and muddy
- Water crossings: Common in spring and after rain
- Recovery gear: Soft ground makes extraction challenging
- Rust prevention: Wet conditions demand attention to undercarriage
Multi-Day Route Ideas
Washington Cascade Loop (3-5 days)
- Seattle to Cle Elum via I-90
- French Cabin Road to Liberty area (camp)
- North to Teanaway, then west over Naches Pass (camp)
- South along forest roads to Packwood area (camp)
- Return via US-12 or extend south to Gifford Pinchot NF
Oregon High Desert Loop (5-7 days)
- Bend to Fort Rock/Christmas Valley area (camp)
- East to Hart Mountain, hot springs (camp 1-2 nights)
- South to Steens Mountain loop (camp)
- West through Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
- North to Burns, then back to Bend via US-20
Planning Resources
- Gaia GPS: Download USFS roads and topo maps offline
- USFS Motor Vehicle Use Maps: Free, authoritative road info
- iOverlander: Camp spot locations and reviews
- Weather: Check NOAA forecasts, especially for mountain routes
- Fire restrictions: InciWeb and local ranger district websites
The Pacific Northwest offers overlanding opportunities that rival anywhere in North America. From the rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula to the high desert of Oregon, you’ll find terrain to match any skill level and timeline. Start with easier routes close to population centers, build your skills, and gradually explore more remote destinations. The PNW has a lifetime of adventures waiting.
