Pacific Northwest Bucketlist

And now the really exciting stuff… We’ve put together a giant bucketlist covering all of the Pacific Northwest. Some of the things on this list are adventures we’ve already taken and written about for your benefit (just click on the hyperlink) and some are adventures we cannot wait to have in the future. 

You can also download this list in a handy PDF format to take with you offline and check off your own adventures!

First things first, you might be wondering…

Where exactly is the Pacific Northwest?

The Pacific Northwest is a region in the northwestern corner of the United States. Definitions tend to vary depending on who you ask and borders are blurry, but our definition typically includes the two key coastal states of Washington and Oregon, plus northern California, Idaho, and southern BC, Canada.

For the purpose of this blog, we will be focusing primarily on these states. However, at times we will stretch our definition of the PNW “borders” so as to include areas just outside the region with plenty of opportunities for adventure. 

We’ve broken this list down by state to make it easier for you to navigate. If you already know the state you want to visit, you can click on it below and jump down to that section. 

• Washington
• Oregon
• Northern California
• Idaho
• British Columbia

Washington State Bucketlist

The Epic Cascade Mountain range, cold weather rainforests and one of the fastest growing cities in the nation are just some of what define Washington state,  a gem in the Pacific Northwest.

There is something for everyone in this west coast state with a mix of big cities and small towns and adventures for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. I even would go as far to say it’s our favorite state in the US (Shh! Don’t tell my fellow Oregonians!).

From Washington state’s best kept secrets to can’t-miss destinations, here are the top things on our Washington state bucketlist.

1. Berry picking in Bellingham
2. Camp on Shi Shi Beach
3. Chase waterfalls
4. Colchuck Lake
5. Get your hike on
6. Hike (part of) the PCT
7. Hoh Rainforest
8. Lake Chelan
9. Lake Diablo
10. Leavenworth
11. Mount Baker
12. Mount Rainier
13. Mount Saint Helens
14. Mountain biking
15. North Cascades Highway
16. North Cascades National Park
17. Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park
18. Palouse Falls
19. Scenic Mountain Loop Highway
20. Seattle
21. See a concert at The Gorge Amphitheater
22. Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
23. Skiing or snowboarding
24. Snoqualmie Falls
25. Snowshoeing or cross country skiing
26. Soak in a hot spring
27. Spend the night in a mountain hut
28. Spend the night on a fire lookout
29. Stehekin
30. The Enchantments
31. Whale watching in the San Juan Islands
32. Whitewater rafting (or kayaking!)
33. Winthrop

Oregon Bucketlist

Hundreds of miles of rugged coastline, thick pine forests, mountains, hot springs, raging rivers and cascading waterfalls characterize the diverse landscapes of Oregon. There’s no arguing that Oregon is absolutely breathtaking.

Beyond the beautiful landscapes, Oregon is home to some of the coolest small towns in the United States and has endless amounts of adventure.

From the cute towns on Oregon’s rugged coastline to the unique landscapes found inland, here are the top things on our Oregon bucketlist.

1. Alvord Desert
2. Astoria
3. Bandon
4. Bend
5. Blue Pool (Tomolich Falls)
6. Broken Top Hike
7. Camping on the coast
8. Cannon Beach
9. Columbia River Gorge
10. Crater Lake National Park
11. Ecola State Park
12. Explore the tide pools
13. Float down the Deschutes River
14. Go Crabbing
15. Heceta Head Lighthouse
16. Hiking near Bend
17. Hood River
18. Lincoln City
19. McCredie Hot Springs
20. Mount Hood (lost lake, lavender field, skiing)
21. Multnomah Falls
22. Oregon Coast road trips
23. Painted Hills
24. Portland
25. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
26. Sandboarding in Florence
27. Sea Lion Cave
28. Secret Beach
29. Shore Acres State Park
30. Silver Falls State Park
31. Skylight Cave
32. Smith Rock
33. Soak in a hot spring
34. South Sister Summit
35. Thor’s Well
36. Three Capes Scenic Route
37. Tillamook Creamery
38. Tumalo Falls
39. Umpqua Hot Springs
40. Umpqua National Forest
41. Willamette National Forest
42. Wine tasting in Hood River
43. Yachats

Northern California Bucketlist

Northern California is broadly defined as part of the PNW, in part for it’s similar climate and unique landscapes to rival those of its northern neighbors. Here you can experience towering Redwood trees big enough to drive your car through, volcanic mountains, rugged coastline and one of the most note-worthy lakes in the US. 

From national parks to the Golden Gate Bridge, here are the top things on our northern California bucketlist.

1. Cypress Tree Tunnel
2. Glass Beach, Fort Bragg
3. Lake Tahoe
4. Lassen Volcanic National Park
5. Mount Lassen
6. Pacific coast road trip
7. Petrified Forest near Calistoga
8. Redwoods National and State Parks
9. San Francisco
10. Yosemite National Park

Idaho Bucketlist

You may be surprised to hear that Idaho isn’t all just potatoes. There are rugged mountains, pristine lakes, hidden hot springs and unique landscapes scattered all over this lesser-known state. In fact, after traveling there on a state-wide road trip, we can pretty confidently say that Idaho is one of the most underrated states in the U.S.

If you’re like us and you love the outdoors, but can’t stand the crowds at popular destinations, Idaho may just be the perfect spot for your next adventure.

From pristine hidden hot springs to dramatic mountain peaks and cute small towns, here are the top things on our Idaho bucketlist.

1. Balanced Rock
2. Boise
3. Bruneau Sand Dunes
4. Coeur d’Alene
5. Craters of the Moon
6. Custer Ghost Town
7. Goldbug Hot Springs
8. Ketchum
9. McCall
10. Redfish Lake
11. Sandpoint
12. Sawtooth Mountains
13. Stanley
14. Sun Valley
15. Thousand Springs State Park
16. Twin Falls

British Columbia Bucketlist

Image source: G Yancy via Flickr

Canada’s westernmost province lines the Pacfic Northwest coast just north of Washington. The province is defined by an intricate fjord system dotted with lots of small islands, majestic mountain ranges and national parks to rival those in the US. 

Bursting with road trip potential, B.C. has noteworthy routes like the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway that linked Whistler with Vancouver and Highway 1 through Glacier National Park (the Canadian version). 

From the Canadian Rockies to the burgeoning modern city of Vancouver, here are the top things on our British Columbia Bucketlist.

1. Big Berg Lake
2. Canadian Rockies
3. Caving on Vancouver Island
4. Great Bear Rainforest
5. Haida Gwaii
6. Hike the West Coast Trail
7. Kayak the Broken Group Islands
8. Kootenay ski towns
9. Lake Osoyoos
10. Okanagan Valley Wine Region
11. Othello Tunnels
12. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
13. Sail through Desolation Sound
14. Salmon fishing
15. Vancouver 
16. Victoria
17. Whistler

Get In Touch

Have questions? Comments? Suggestions? Ideas? Just want to say hello? Hop on over to our contact page, and let’s connect!