The White Pass Scenic Byway is a scenic stretch of U.S. Highway 12 that winds through East Lewis County, providing access to volcano country and the vast reaches of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
The Byway starts just east of the U.S. 12 intersection with Jackson Highway and ends in Yakima County near Naches for a total of more than 100 miles of scenic roadway and numerous connections to recreational opportunities. It’s truly an outdoor and scenery lover’s paradise!
While the White Pass Scenic Byway is essential in taking travelers to some of the most-visited attractions in our region, there is much to do along the route. Mayfield, Riffe and Scanewa lakes are easily accessed, with prime swimming, fishing and camping. The highway follows the Cowlitz River in east Lewis County as well, and provides access to the Tilton and Cispus rivers too.
The communities of Mossyrock, Morton, Randle, Packwood and more all thrive off of their connections to the Byway.
The White Pass Scenic Byway offers so much opportunity along its reaches that it needs to be explored in more than one day, and more than one trip! Check their website for a route description and printable map of the Byway.
Also, the Byway now has a mobile app that gives great information about the area, amenities along the route and tourist attractions. The app provides the capability to download data offline for use in areas that are remote, so you still get to see the information you need at the time you need it. Download the app for iOS and Google Play.
Check out these roadtrips courtesy of the Byway, with links to some of the wild areas of Lewis County and beyond!
