8 Bizarrely Named Towns in Washington
Washington is a state that takes up the upper western corner of the Pacific Northwest. It is unquestionably one of the country's most beautiful destinations, with numerous renowned parks and wildlands within its borders, including Olympic National Park, Deception Pass State Park, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, and many more. Cities like Seattle and Spokane also remain popular draws, while several smaller, yet just as worthwhile towns dot its diverse landscapes too!
Today, I highlight towns in Washington with peculiar designations. Let's get to the bottom of their place names.
Humptulips
Located in Grays Harbor County in the northwestern corner of Washington, Humptulips is not only oddly named, but an excellent gateway to some of the state's best natural scenery. The name comes from the local Chehalis tribe, with one interpretation meaning “hard to pole,” referencing the difficulty of navigating the Humptulips River by canoe. Another theory suggests it means “chilly region,” which could make sense due to the area's rainy, coastal climate.
After American settlers arrived, the town evolved into a logging hub. It now fosters a bit of a tourism industry as well, due to its proximity to Olympic National Park and other surrounding wilderness. While Humtulips lacks a traditional downtown core, travelers also often pass through on their way to coastal destinations like Ocean Shores or the pristine Lake Quinault.
Horse Heaven
Horse Heaven is an unincorporated community in a sparsely populated region best known for the Horse Heaven Hills, a rolling plateau that stretches across southeastern Washington. The name dates back to the early 1900s when settlers observed large herds of wild horses thriving in the area’s open grasslands. The abundant grazing land and mild climate made it an ideal environment for horses, leading to its distinctive name change from its original "Bedrock Springs."
The region’s dry climate, combined with rich volcanic soil, has made it one of the state's most productive agricultural areas, with many wine producers and wheatfields filling the space. What is left of Horse Heaven is now primarily covered in farms and vineyards, with the nearby Benton City housing a wide selection of tasting rooms for your pleasure.
Other draws in the area include nearby viewpoints over the mighty Columbia River, the Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge (which sits nearby on the Oregon side of the river), and the official Horse Heaven Hills Recreation Area.
Castle Rock
This name will certainly ring a bell with Stephen King fans. You may be disappointed, however, to find out that this small city sits on the complete other side of the country, and is not the mysterious fictional community come to life. Castle Rock instead takes its name from a 190-foot volcanic rock formation that rises above the nearby Cowlitz River.
Castle Rock serves as the main gateway to national parks like Mount St. Helens, drawing visitors who need accommodations for the night or just a place to fill up on gas. The area also offers access to local hiking trails, including the popular Riverfront Trail, which follows the Cowlitz River through town. Nearby Silver Lake and the adjacent Seaquest State Park is another locale that attracts anglers and paddlers to its water, with views of the looming Mount St. Helens volcano in the distance.
Chumstick
In central Washington's Chelan County, Chumstick is a small rural community with a name that sparks curiosity in those who are unaware of its origins. The name comes from the Chinook Jargon trade language, where “chumstick” likely refers to a type of wooden stick used for digging, perhaps for edible roots beneath the ground. Some sources suggest the word may also have been linked to local Indigenous fishing practices.
Chumstick sits along the Chumstick Highway in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. It is a beautiful route that connects the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth to the Wenatchee Valley. The area was historically home to logging and railroad activity, with the Great Northern Railway running through the narrow Chumstick Valley in the early 20th century.
While the railway is no longer in operation, the valley remains a picturesque stretch of rolling hills, woodlands, and small farms, with local wineries also being a mainstay. If you do want to sample some of this region's world-class wines, check out Plain Cellars just north of Chumstick, or numerous options in and around Leavenworth, like Icicle Ridge Winery, Patterson Cellars, and more.
Soap Lake
The name Soap Lake refers to the highly alkaline, mineral-rich waters that create a naturally soapy texture in the town's namesake lake. The area's early inhabitants, including the Spokane and Coeur d'Alene tribes, long recognized the lake's purported healing properties and used it for various therapeutic purposes. Later American settlers promoted the lake as a health destination, leading to the development of bathhouses and resorts in the early 20th century.
The lake’s unique chemical composition, which includes high concentrations of sodium carbonate, sulfate, and other minerals, gives it its slippery, soap-like feel, but also prevents fish from surviving in it. At one time, Soap Lake was considered for serious medical research and even as a potential treatment site for skin conditions and arthritis.
Though many of its health claims have yet to be scientifically proven, Soap Lake remains a charming lake town that you should visit if traveling amongst eastern Washington. Visitors come to float in its highly buoyant waters, see the nearby basalt formations, or explore the surrounding landscapes, where Ice Age floods shaped deep valleys and rocky plains.
Chuckanut
Chuckanut, located in Whatcom County, is best known for the scenic Chuckanut Drive, a winding coastal highway with incredible views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands. The name comes from the Indigenous Lummi language, meaning “beach or tide goes way out,” or more simply "distant, far away bottom." The area was historically significant for the Coast Salish people, who fished and foraged along the shoreline, presumably at times when the tide rolled out.
The region gained prominence in the late 19th century with the rise of logging and sandstone quarrying. Chuckanut sandstone, prized for its durability, was used in notable buildings throughout the Pacific Northwest, including structures in Seattle and Bellingham. While the quarries have since closed, remnants of the industry can still be found in the surrounding forests.
Today, Chuckanut is best known for its rugged coastline, verdant countryside, and outdoor recreation in its many nearby parks and greenspaces. For one, Chuckanut Mountain offers hiking trails with must-see panoramic views along the way, while Larrabee State Park is a popular destination for camping, beachgoing, and fishing at its freshwater lakes.
Kooskooskie
Kooskooskie, a tiny rural community in Walla Walla County, has a unique name that is derived from the Nez Perce language and translates roughly to "clear waters," a reference to the creeks that flow through the area. The region played a role in early exploration, as Lewis and Clark passed through while traveling along the Walla Walla River in 1805.
This sparsely populated area is surrounded by fertile farmland and forested foothills leading into the Blue Mountains just across the border in neighboring Oregon. Though quiet, it remains a remote but charming waypoint for those exploring the natural landscapes of southeastern Washington, and an alternative place if you want to get out of the much busier city of Walla Walla close by.
Medical Lake
Medical Lake is another place named for its mineral-rich waters. Indigenous tribes, particularly the Spokane people, believed the lake possessed healing properties and used it for medicinal purposes long before European settlers arrived. The lake’s high mineral content later attracted health resorts in the latter half of the 1800s.
Medical Lake, whose namesake lake sits at the center of town, was officially incorporated in 1890 and briefly became a popular destination for those seeking therapeutic mineral baths to possibly heal a variety of ailments, from joint pain to more chronic illnesses like palsy.
While the spa industry eventually faded, the community remained, evolving into a small city with a strong connection to its historical roots for you to appreciate today. The area also became home to actual state-run institutions, including Eastern State Hospital, which opened in 1891 to treat mental health patients.
The lake itself is now a favorite spot for fishing, boating, and hiking, and the Medical Lake Waterfront Park provides residents and visitors alike with a quiet, easily accessible greenspace on its southern shores.
Experience these Unique Washington Locales
Washington is full of surprises from its eastern grasslands to its lush Pacific coastline. Whether you're road-tripping through this vast state or are a resident looking to learn a bit more about your surroundings, these towns are sure to spice up your journey and create some unique memories along the way.
Besides their bizarre names, many of these destinations also offer an array of cool things to see and do, from world-class parks to historic downtown districts and beyond. So, be sure to consider referring to this list while planning your next adventure in the Evergreen State!
