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Thrill the kids with a weekend stay at a working farm. Photo: Hymas Farm
Do muddy boots plus hay bales equal a magical family vacation? Farm stays — a quirky staycation option for families looking to escape the daily grind — may be the answer. Imagine waking up to the call of roosters, playing with adorable barnyard critters and hunting for veggie treasures straight from the garden — all that and more awaits at these rustic farm vacations, where quaint cottages, cabins or tents typically host visitors on a working farm. Guests are welcome to pitch in with chores, pick up new skills, try out activities such as horseback riding or farm-to-table cooking, or just kick back and enjoy the peacefulness.
Scattered across Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia, these 10 Pacific Northwest farm stays are all within driving distance of Greater Seattle. Choose from quaint bed-and-breakfasts to a Wild West–style cowboy ranch, and prepare to roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty and make some memories at these cool country spots.
Farm stays in Washington
Organic Farm School, Whidbey Island
The Organic Farm School on Whidbey Island is a learning center that welcomes families who are “farm curious” to disconnect from their usual rhythms and reconnect in an intentional way. The farm’s Feed & Seed rental house has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, and can accommodate up to eight guests. During your stay, you can help with farm chores and explore the expansive property.
Stock up at the farm stand and make a farm-to-table dinner the whole family will love in the fully stocked chef’s kitchen before cozying up around the wood-burning fireplace. If you visit during the warmer seasons, you can grill dinner outside on the barbecue and enjoy it on the wrap-around deck.
Mark your calendar for farm happenings too, when planning your visit: From May 22–Sept. 4, the Organic Farm School hosts Farm Fridays with live music and a community potluck. And on July 17, the farm will have its annual Farm Fashion Show with models in their best farm-themed attire strutting the catwalk.
Meet the resident pigs, sheep and chickens, and keep an eye out for neighboring dairy cows grazing. To learn more about the farm’s regenerative practices, arrange a tour or sign up for an educational workshop. The whole family will gain a deeper appreciation of how our food is grown, and bring home ideas for starting a garden.
White Lotus Farm and Inn, Port Ludlow
White Lotus Farm and Inn sits on 70 acres on the Olympic Peninsula. The farm is home to a collective of small businesses, a flock of 60 sheep and 50 chickens. From flower and vegetable gardens to a food forest and honeybee hives, there are plenty of ways to experience farm life here. Lambing season begins in March, so you can expect to see sweet little lambs in the pasture if you visit in the spring (along with a llama named Tux, who guards the flock). And don’t forget to pick up a loaf of handmade sourdough bread — the whole grains are locally grown and the sourdough is slowly fermented with wild yeast. A new farm store will open by May, with lamb meat, sheepskin and fleece products, flowers and more.
For the farm stay, families can choose between two rentals. The Cottage has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a full kitchen. The Farmhouse Suite is a one-bedroom apartment with a kitchenette and wood-burning stove. Both offer garden and pasture views, access to a Nootka cube sauna and cold plunge, and a welcome retreat for families looking for time away from the city. The farm also offers RV camping and private farm tours.
Farm Kitchen, Poulsbo
Have a larger family or group to accommodate? Head to this Kitsap County farm, just a 10-minute drive from the Kingston ferry terminal. This isn’t your usual country cottage; the stylish guesthouse features modern vibes, plenty of natural light and a cozy fireplace, and will sleep up to eight people. (There are even three bathrooms, so everyone is saved from the morning line.) During daylight hours, families can wander the organic vegetable and flower farm, an orchard and a hidden cedar grove. In the evenings, chill on the backyard patio or gather around the firepit for s’mores. Need to stay connected? High-speed fiber-optic Wi-Fi and multiple workstations are on-site, making it a great option if you must work while on vacation. Explore the charming nearby town of Poulsbo, known as “Little Norway” and packed with plenty of shopping and dining options.
New Morning Farms, Duvall
Need a change of scenery close to home? This charming farm in the Snoqualmie Valley is an easy drive for Seattle and Eastside dwellers, making for the perfect weekend staycation. The space is an airy loft set above a private entrance, sleeping up to four with cleverly stacked twin beds. Guests are also invited to hang out in the reading nooks and sitting area, where you’ll find TV, books and games. A full farm breakfast is served on weekends (while a simpler breakfast is offered on weekdays). The manicured grounds include gardens, wooded trails and even a cool tree house, which the kids will love. In the mood for an excursion? Hiking and bike trails, wineries, and the historic towns of Duvall and Carnation are all within a few minutes’ drive.
The Highland Tiny House, Sumner
Tiny homes are becoming very popular as vacation stays, and this scenic farm in Sumner has one available for guests. Set on the banks of the pretty Puyallup River, the idyllic 7-acre property greets visitors with a cheery red barn, historic 1930s farmhouse and a tiny guesthouse. The tiny home includes a living area with a sofa bed, a fully equipped kitchen and a loft with a queen bed. Outside, say hello to the adorable alpacas grazing in the pastures, explore the surrounding trails or roast marshmallows over the riverbank firepit.
Oregon farm vacations
Wilson Ranches Retreat, Fossil
Yeehaw! Your li’l cowboys and cowgirls will go wild for this upscale Wild West–style retreat. Get a taste of old-school pioneer life on this seventh-generation working cattle ranch, spread across 9,000 acres in the high desert country of Eastern Oregon. The historic 1910 ranch house offers an authentic bed-and-breakfast experience, with six guest room and suite options to choose from, as well as camping and RV sites. Expect hearty homestyle breakfasts, spellbinding desert views and access to outdoor joys galore, such as hiking, bird-watching and horseback riding for all skill levels, including the Little Buckaroos package just for riders ages 6 and older.
Willow-Witt Ranch, Ashland
Ever wondered what it would be like to live completely off the grid? Here’s your chance to try it out. With its own solar panels and micro-hydro system, this 445-acre farm in the southern Cascades, near Ashland, Oregon, is completely self-sufficient. The property, which includes meadows and conifer forests, is also a nature preserve ready to be explored. Families have several stay options to choose from, including the Meadow House (sleeps up to 10), the smaller Farmstay Studio or canvas wall tents for a more down-to-earth experience. A campground is also available for those who want to rough it on their own. Learn about regenerative farming as you pitch in with the farm chores; meet friendly goats, chickens, geese and guardian dogs; and sample goat milk and produce fresh from the farm market.
Appletree Farm, Eugene
Who doesn’t love fluffy sheep? You’ll get to see plenty of these cuddly critters at Appletree Farm, in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The happy result of the owner’s passion for raising Gotland sheep, this cozy working farm hosts guests in the newly remodeled studio that sleeps up to four; little kids will love climbing the ladder to the sleeping loft. The studio has a kitchen stocked with breakfast essentials, farm-fresh eggs and seasonal produce; and the grounds are dotted with pretty gardens, roaming hens and, of course, adorable sheep. Nearby, explore the town of Eugene and the valley’s hiking trails and wineries.
More farm stays in the Pacific Northwest
Hymas Family Farm, Bonners Ferry, Idaho
Up for a drive? This pastoral farm vacation in Northern Idaho makes a delightful stopover on a road trip to one of the state’s tourist hubs, such as the town of Coeur d’Alene or the Silverwood theme park. Book a glamping experience in a canvas tent through Hipcamp or Airbnb. Start your day with breakfast essentials from the farm store. Then head out to explore 15 acres of private woods with a soothing walk or ride on an e-bike or mountain bike. At the farmstead, try your hand at milking a cow, feeding pigs or gathering eggs, and watch kids go gaga over the cuddly animals. There’s also a pickleball and basketball court.
Flower Beds Farm, Qualicum Beach, Canada
Make your farm stay even more of an adventure by traveling to Vancouver Island, where you’ll find this flower farm near the beach. The 18-acre farm is home to ducks, chickens, and friendly farmers Jess and Taylor.
Families can rent the farmhouse loft, which has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, or the farm’s tiny home, which has two bedrooms and one bathroom. Not looking to completely unplug during your farm stay? Both rentals have Wi-Fi and TVs equipped for streaming.
Beyond exploring the gardens and meeting the resident farm animals, there’s plenty to do nearby. Stop by the year-round Qualicum Beach Farmers Market nearby and pack good for a picnic at Spider Lake, or spend even more time in the great outdoors by hiking the local regional trails or exploring the Horne Lake Caves.
More unique getaways for Seattle-area families: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2024. It was updated on Jan. 23, 2026, by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, with three new family-friendly farm stays and a thorough fact-check.
