9 Secluded Towns in The Pacific Northwest

There's no shortage of natural beauty in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you're dreaming of tidal pools and sea lions, forest-covered mountain slopes, or lakefront recreation, the PNW breathes seclusion. Aspire to an epic adventure along crisscrossing trails through the immensely beautiful Cape Disappointment State Park at the mouth of the Columbia River, with two lighthouses along the coast.

These nine towns are on the doorstep of deafening wilderness areas, like south of Joseph, a well-off-beaten-path town at the base of the towering Wallowa Mountains. Roche Harbor is a San Juan gem with parks, preserves, and a resort, while the first town within the eponymous state park grants you access to one of the region's main draws, the top views from Yaquina Head Lighthouse.

Beverly Beach, Oregon

Overshadowed by Newport, down the coast, Beverly Beach is equally close as the hub to the area's star attraction, Yaquina Head Lighthouse. Just 10 minutes south, Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area lives up to its name among hikers on a tiny knob into the Pacific with a quarry cove and interpretation center. The 1873 lighthouse draws visitors from around the world to climb steep stairs to the top for panoramic coastline views. Cobble Beach offers a perfect view to reflect, picnic, and take in the sunset behind the marvel. Back in town, the surrounding Beverly Beach State Park elevates the feel of seclusion within. From the pounding waves to forested trails, nature feels livelier than the tiny downtown.

Home to beaches and trails, its on-site services bustle with activity around a campground with creekside tent sites and yurts. Wake up to the serene seascape views along a short trail or wade the shoreline of Wade Creek Beach. The region’s tidal pools feature sea stars, anemones, sea urchins, plus seals and sea lions lounging on the rocks. Minutes north along Hwy 101, Devil's Punchbowl is an absolutely beautiful must-see attraction—with easily visible swells on both sides, blowing air into the sky, lots of birds, and surfers next door at Otter Crest Beach overlooking the blowholes. Stop by the neighboring town's hip coffee shop, a seafood restaurant, and Spyglass at Otter Crest, which also sells unique treasures.

Cascade, Idaho

Cascade defines natural tranquility in the west-central part of the state. Nodding at the range with its name and the Payette River through the heart, the area within Lake Cascade State Park and the town on the lake's southeastern shore turn a violent shade of fall foliage stark against the vast freshwater. Many enjoy doorstep access to boating and trekking around the lake, plus ice fishing in the winter. The imposing Payette National Forest to the north and the West Mountains to the west expand your adventures. Drowning in nature just off State Highway 55, the overlooked town is happy to welcome families, leaf peepers, and waterfront enthusiasts alike, with sunny shores, village greens, and popular eateries like Gramma's Restaurant.

Being dependent on tourism, some 75 miles north of Boise, the remoteness plays in favor of this small town, an ideal retreat for solitude seekers and explorers through Idaho’s picturesque landscape. Home to roughly 1,016 locals, its popular Van Wyck Campground and Ridgeview Campground are set to receive new and returning visitors along the lakefront trails. Enjoy easy access to Cascade Dam and Crown Point Trailhead just north, plus the nearby forest trails with bear sightings and songbirds for real seclusion amid intense natural scenery. From local businesses to a playground at Armstrong Park, Kelly's Whitewater Park is just a riverside stroll from the town's shops, eateries, and more comfortable accommodations.

Coupeville, Washington

At the heart of Whidbey Island, Coupeville feels concealed from society both in location and fashion. Reflecting its early days as a frontier town along the streets, many of the original structures still operate today. Home to several Coast Salish villages of Lower Skagit peoples for thousands of years, the natives and then Europeans enjoyed the area's tranquility. Settled by farmers and sea captains in the 1850s, Coupeville, one of the state's oldest towns, developed around the historic wharf as a center for shipping and trade, growing crops at the prairies on the outskirts. From old architecture to historical farmlands, sightsee the sheltered Penn Cove and stop by the Island County Historical Museum, with exhibits on Native American tribes and the island's early settlers.

At the heart of Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, the first-of-its-kind reserve encompasses recreational opportunities. Ebey's Landing's hiking trails reveal the island’s unique coastal ecosystem, which has been generously gifting people from the land and the sea and continues to delight with views. Find multi-use fields, playgrounds, and access to hiking loops at the family favorite Rhododendron Park. Fort Casey State Park boasts an attractive shoreline with military fortifications and scenic trails, while the epic Price Sculpture Forest is the small town's own artistic extension. Although the area isn't cheap, Tyee Restaurant and Hotel and The Inn at Penn Cove are both highly regarded for under $100.

Forks, Washington

Forks offers a sheltered corner of the PNW that encompasses the famous Hoh Rain Forest within the iconic Olympic National Park. The rainforest, with its lichen-covered trees and bright yellow banana slugs, is drowned in serenity! Take the Hall of Mosses Trail for a quick and easy hike beneath the maples when it's alight in yellow foliage dripping bright green moss. One of the nation's most beautiful, Ruby Beach, is just 30 minutes south of the Pacific, with formations and sun-bleached driftwood. This remote stretch of coast on the Olympic Peninsula is seldom crowded to spy on the moodiness from Highway 101. Don't miss Duncan Memorial Cedar Tree and some of the best views at Kalaloch Lodge, plus beachfront camping.

Although the series was filmed in Portland, the Twilight saga was based between here and the village of La Push to the north. The fans shouldn't miss the Swan House for a photo or even rent it, but next-door campgrounds like the highly regarded Olympic Adventures and Savage Streams Campground with yurts are more budget-friendly. Many come for atmospheric hikes through beautiful forests where the Third Beach Trailhead leads you to the same beach, and charming towns like Forks offer attractions with the Bogachiel River lacing south. Stop by Gnomeville and take the Calawah River Trail before dinner at the popular Sully's Drive-In next to the pet-friendly Tillicum Park. The snug, cabin-like Forks Timber Museum houses local logging and farming history exhibits.

Ilwaco, Washington

Tipping the state's far southwest, this small town with immense Cape Disappointment State Park at its northern side is right across the river from Astoria. Visitors can admire the iconic Astoria-Megler Bridge and explore the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum, rich in local history. Tangled amid trails, with camping options like Thousand Trails Long Beach, you can join the locals jogging or walking their dogs in the morning along Beard's Hollow Trailhead from the doorstep. The beautiful 2,023-acre state park at the mouth of the Columbia River features trails crisscrossing hills and tracing the coastline. Past Old Growth Spruce, you'll hit Bell's Viewpoint for a scenic selfie and the beaming-white, statuesque North Head Lighthouse.

This active aid to navigators of the sea offers sweeping views of the ocean and northern coast. The stunning Benson Beach is secluded at the park's southern tip, with stunning sands, while the sandy Waikiki Beach, sheltered beneath the cliffs to the north, is next to Battery 247 and Deadman's Cove. The park's quaint eponymous lighthouse sits steeped in history on an a steep, delightful bluff overlooking the sweeping Pacific Ocean. At its doorstep, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center depicts the explorers' epic journey with a film, plus a gift shop and an observation deck. Hungry for more? Minutes northeast of town, Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is a sprawling habitat for migratory birds, with camping, hiking, and fishing.

Joseph, Oregon

Well off the beaten path, one of the state's most charming towns is concealed at the base of the towering Wallowa Mountains. Some 70 miles northeast of La Grande, Joseph is worth the 5 1/2 hour drive from Portland to seek solitude and adventure through Oregon’s pleasing landscape. Joseph stays pristinely quiet amid the decadent wilderness, often overlooked for Bend and the state's coastal towns. Home to roughly 1,200, the locals enjoy chasing foliage along the slopes, snow play, and skiing. Get a taste of this mountainous haven via Oregon Route 82 in the summer, when the fresh grasses and wildflowers backdrop calm picnics and photoshoots to the horizon.

From hiking trails to fishing and dips in the crystal clear mountain runoffs and alpine lakes, the town's own Wallowa Lake is one of the state's most unique freshwaters. Find it just south of town through Iwetemlaykin State Heritage Site, a park revealing the story of those who lived in the area. Further south, the undisturbed Eagle Cap Wilderness is popular among extreme hikers. The western-style downtown area offers local fruits of labor, including agriculture, local arts and crafts, and charming eateries. Full of small-town shopping and family fun without hoards of tourists, Joseph Branch Railriders is a memorable journey to soak up the scenery with wildlife views.

Roche Harbor, Washington

San Juan Islands, one of the nation's best island escapes, could be right in your own backyard in Washington. Out of some 175 islets, Orcas, San Juan, and Lopez are easily accessible to explore with small towns like Roche Harbor via ferry from the mainland. Often overlooked for the buzzy town of Friday Harbor, Roche holds a promise of epic island adventures. Greeting you with a tiny population of 878 friendly locals in a laidback vibe on the main island, the beautiful San Juan; see how far your hungry eyes will take you. The luxury resort, overlooking Roche Harbor, will guard your serenity like its own, with various rooms, suites, and marina views, just a stroll from the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park and Nature Reserve.

Relax against the endless seascape, only interrupted by the views of the wild Spieden and Pearl Islands ahead. It's hard to miss the imposing John S. McMillin Memorial Mausoleum, a rotunda-style family crypt in woodsy surroundings. To the east, the pet-friendly Reuben Tarte County Park features two remote pebbly beaches separated by rocky bluffs, perfect for scrambling with a camera in between the coast and ocean views with island vistas. You are jet-set to explore the Jones Island Marine State Park on its own islet or the next-door neighbor Orcas Island, with forested hiking to spectacular views over Puget Sound, which you can also enjoy from a waterfront restaurant, plus a nearby pottery store and a winery.

Skykomish, Washington

Bring your boots to Skykomish for natural seclusion along unique, low-traffic trails like Necklace Valley Trailhead. From your riverfront Money Creek Campground, it is just a hop to breakfast at Cascadia Cafe. Offering four seasons of adventure, the surrounding forest trails are alight in foliage and connect to renowned spots, perfect for backpackers to hit the iconic Pacific Crest Trail, the stunning Deception Falls, or the Stevens Pass Ski Area. The beckoning Beckler Peak spurs you on and up through wildlife views, while a hot summertime hike oftentimes ends by the cooling Skykomish River for a quick swim. Set off in a kayak from the shore and enjoy whitewater rafting in certain parts of the river.

Hidden away on the edge of the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, this small town offers a peaceful retreat, surrounded by wilderness. Very tiny, but with a packed downtown and the South Fork Skykomish River through the heart, there is something for everybody, like the old City Hall building along the train tracks. The Great Northern & Cascade Railway is an indoor-outdoor museum with free train rides and spectacular views, plus historic equipment and a gift shop. Take the nearby Maloney Creek Interpretive Trail along the river to a lookout with little waterfalls on the way. You'll find more lakes and peaks to conquer south, like Lennox Peak. Just grab a hot lunch or something to go at LouSkis Deli before hitting a trail.

Wallace, Idaho

This small town with Placer Creek through the heart is secreted within the Silver Valley of the Coeur d’Alene Mountains. From the Silver History Site to the Oasis Bordello Museum, Wallace takes pleasure in sharing its colorful past with curious visitors through unique and interactive attractions for every age. Just south, the Pulaski Tunnel Trail is a relatively easy hike, even for the kids with an elevation gain. Enjoy waterfalls and creek views, plus signs along the way interpreting the area's historical significance. From its historic district with well-preserved heritage on display, tour some old mines, and don't miss the local businesses.

Home to under 1,000, its rich mining industry still supports the town alongside ecotourism. Enjoy easy access to the fresh air and a tranquil atmosphere of the lush forested surroundings via Interstate 90, plus a chance to visit Coeur d’Alene some 50 miles west if you've never been. The remote location is prime for outdoorsy and solitude lovers seeking a one-on-one with Idaho’s rugged landscape along a variety of beautiful biking and hiking trails, like the Route of the Hiawatha, some 26 miles away. Afterward, soak up local vibes over delicious food at City Limits Pub & Grill and, if you're feeling Italian, the Blackboard Cafe.

Escape to the Pacific Northwest’s Best-Kept Secrets

Seeking real seclusion under the nightly sky with some of the best stargazing in the country or wildlife-filled islands? The real Pacific Northwest in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho is a hop from the coolest cities like Seattle, just north of the magnificent Mount Rainier National Park. To the west, Olympic National Park is home to the quietest spot in the lower 48 states, Hoh Rain Forest.

Forks offers campgrounds and yurts next to its fiery maple trails dripping with bright green moss and access to the Ruby Beach. Coupeville is couped up along Whidbey Island, with old-fashioned streets reflecting it as one of the state's oldest towns. So hop off to explore some of the nation's most beautiful places in decadent seclusion.