Amazing Pacific Northwest Road Trip Destinations for Families

Epic Pacific Northwest family road trip destinations

Road trips are family staple of summer. And even with gas prices on the rise, family road trips can be more affordable than flying off to far-flung vacation spots. Plan your road trip for the shoulder season to save a little more.

We’ve rounded up five iconic Pacific Northwest road trip destinations for families to spark your ideas and set your plan in motion. And to keep both parents and kids happy, most of these destinations require only a half-day of driving.

Hitting the open road with kids, particularly young ones, can seem daunting. From packing to destination selection, planning is the key to a successful family road trip. After you’ve tackled one successful Pacific Northwest road trip, future getaways feel less daunting. As with all things involving children, plan on pit stops, plenty of snacks and entertainment along the way. 

Check out these amazing Pacific Northwest spots where the stresses and demands of regular life will just melt away!

First up: big sky country

Big Sky, Montana

If your family loves high adventure, head to Big Sky, Montana. Hike, mountain bike, horseback ride and whitewater raft all within minutes from your home base with Stay Montana. Enjoy a true Montana experience with a Chuckwagon dinner at 320 Ranch. Ride in the horse-drawn wagon or enjoy a horseback ride to your barbecue dinner along the Gallatin River. Enjoy all the fixings accompanied by live music. End the night around the campfire dreaming about your next adventure.

Roam the mountains and forge streams on horseback with Jake’s Horses. Take a scenic float or be extra adventurous and go on a family whitewater rapids trip with Geyser Whitewater Expeditions. Spend a day soaking in the natural beauty with a hike to Beehive Basin or Lava Lake. For an easier morning, hike to Ouisel Falls. Enjoy an afternoon on the shore of Lake Levinsky or splashing around on a stand-up paddleboard or in a kayak.

Take a morning for yourself and go on a private fly-fishing trip with Gallatin River Guides. Stand in the gorgeous Gallatin River while you catch and release Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout before meeting up with the family to enjoy the local skate park or the midweek Farmers market.

Walk the beautiful hills of Lone Mountain Ranch before treating yourself to a mouth-watering, memory-inducing meal at Horn and Cantle. Introduce your children to unique flavors like elk meatballs, cedar plank mushrooms and bison short ribs. Make sure to stop by the front desk to ask for carrots or apples to feed the horses. If barbecue is more your thing, make sure to stop by Riverhouse BBQ shortly after they open to secure a picnic table outside where you can enjoy live music, finger-licking ribs and gorgeous views of the river.

Big Sky will make you fall in love with the outdoors and remind you that simple things like fresh air and sunshine are all you need for a good family time. Big Sky calls itself an “R-destination” which means you can recreate, relax, rejuvenate, reconnect and return home refreshed.

That sounds just right for a Pacific Northwest road trip destination, don’t you think?

Next stop: a beach paradise

Lincoln City, Oregon

Lincoln City is a showpiece of the amazing Central Oregon coast located approximately five hours’ drive from Seattle. Stay just off the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway at the Salishan Coastal Lodge. Go beachcombing, explore tide pools with Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, go crabbing, go clamming for purple Vanish clams on the mudflats of Siletz Bay and search coastal forests for birds with the Lincoln City Audubon Society. “Exploriences” are a series of free, hands-on learning events led by local experts. Complete five “exploriences” and become a member of the Explorers Club.

In addition to perfecting your sandcastle-building skills and searching for seashells, try your hand at a new artistic endeavor with a glass-making class with Lincoln City Glass. Explore the endless possibilities with glass and take home your one-of-a-kind creation. Throughout the year the “float fairies” place glass floats all over Lincoln City beaches for visitors to find and keep. Now that would be an awesome souvenir for your kids to take home!

From seven miles of walkable beach to famous seasonal kite festivals and fresh-catch feasts, there is something to capture the imagination and interest of all ages in Lincoln City.

Next stop: riverside recreation

Hood River, Oregon

Hood River is a near-perfect family vacation destination. Marvel at hydrofoils and kite surfers zigging and zagging along the Columbia River. Delight your inner child with a stay at a treehouse at Skamania Lodge. Perched high up in the trees, bask in the sound of birds while you enjoy your morning coffee. Savor the sweeping views of the Columbia River as you partake in breakfast at the lodge. Spend an afternoon sampling your way around the Hood River Fruit Loop. Berry pick and sip your way through various farms and wineries with Mount Hood as a majestic backdrop.

Spend a morning hiking Tom McCall Point Trail for an exceptional view of both Mount Adams and Mount Hood. You’ll see wildflowers such as lupine, paintbrush, foxglove and arrowroot — as well as grand views of the gorge. Pop into town for a cone from Mike’s Ice cream, and spend hours trying to decide what to buy at the fantastic G. Williker’s Toy Shoppe. Take a break from the sunshine and relax at a local brewery like pFriem. Share a pizza and fondue by the fire at Mt. View Orchards while taking in the breathtaking scenery.

Revel in the local abundance of food grown around Hood River, soak in the scenery and end the day with a round of disc golf at Skamania Lodge. Make s’mores back at your private fire pit before sharing campfire stories and tucking your children into their custom tent bed in your private treehouse.

Next stop: wild island beach

Tofino, B.C.

Travel to Tofino on Vancouver Island for a front-row seat to the mighty Pacific. Paddle out to Meares Island with Tofino Sea Kayaking. There you’ll have a close encounter the island’s massive old-growth cedars. Kayak among seals and seaweed, and paddle past eagles nesting in trees. Spend a day with Archipelago Wildlife Cruises where you’ll cruise around the Broken Islands in search of bears, whales, seals and sea lions. Drop anchor in a protected cove for lunch, and enjoy a day out on the water in a stunning location.

Tofino is well known for its world-class surfing and is considered the surf capital of Canada. Long Beach Lodge Resort’s convenient on-site rentals and lessons make it easy for your family to try out surfing.

Spend the bulk of your time at the beach and then relax in comfortable digs at Black Rock Resort, about 40 minutes down the coast from Tofino. Often hotel rooms can feel cramped when traveling with kids, so it is nice to stay in a suite where you have a separate spot to hang out during the day and sleep at night. Many of Black Rock’s rooms have decks that offer the perfect spot to eat breakfast, enjoy the fresh sea air and take some much-needed downtime.

Black Rock Resort is located along the Wild Pacific Trail which makes it a great spot for day hiking and adventuring. If your family is not into hiking, there are many spots along the Wild Pacific Trail which are perfect places to rest your feet or take photographs. Aside from gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean from your room, within minutes you can be walking along the beach or heading into town.

When it’s time for a beautiful meal, head to Shelter Restaurant Waterfront for some incredible West Coast cuisine. Watch jaw-dropping sunsets and eat inspiring and creative dishes from Wolf in the Fog.

For outdoor adventure for the whole family and unspoiled wilderness, plan your next Pacific Northwest road trip to Tofino.

Next stop: ski town in the off-season

Sand Point, Idaho

Just outside Sand Point, Idaho, lies a destination most people know as a ski spot: Schweitzer. But Schweitzer in the off-season is equally epic: At the summit of this ski hill, you’ll find wildflowers, hiking and incredible views of three states and Canada.

Schweitzer is a place to try all kinds of family recreation. Make a home base at the stylish new Humbird hotel, then get set to try mountain biking, ziplining, huckleberry-picking and taking a scenic chairlift ride. Geocache, go horseback riding and play disc golf during the day. In the evening play lawn games, go for a bike ride or try pickleball.

Perhaps your kids need a little quiet time. The front desk at the Selkirk Lodge has books and board games to loan out. Find a comfy spot outdoors and enjoy. Is your crew competitive or up for a challenge? Hike up the nature trail and be rewarded with a free chairlift ride down the mountain. Just make sure to reach the summit before 5:30 p.m. to catch a ride down. Searching for a sense of accomplishment or adrenaline rush? Tackle the climbing wall and trampoline jumper.

In addition to fun on the mountain, Sandpoint’s Lake Pend Oreille is a great spot to rent paddle boards, learn to fly fish with Long Drift Outfitters or book a day out on a lake with Lake Pend Oreille Cruises. It’s also great for swimming. Make sure to stop at the Pie Hut for soup, sandwiches and, of course, pie. Hit Farmhouse Kitchen for burgers and barbecue.

From free and fun to daring and adventurous, Sand Point has a little something for everyone in the family.