10 Pacific Northwest Farm Stays for Families

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

Farm Kitchen, Poulsbo, Washington

Have a larger family or group to accommodate? Head to this Kitsap County farm, just a 10-minute drive from Edmonds and Seattle ferries. 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.

Colibri Gardens, Washougal, Washington

Nestled amid 180-foot evergreen trees, this 40-acre property is an authentic homestead in a serene forest setting. Guests stay in a woodsy cabin with two bedrooms, a cozy reading nook, living room and kitchen. How you spend your day is up to you. Cook farm-to-table meals with organic eggs, cheese and meat from the farmstead. Join a farm tour to learn about regenerative farming. Play with chickens, goats and alpacas. Or meet Finn, the resident llama. Grown-ups can grill dinner alfresco in the outdoor kitchen. In the evenings, curl up with a book from the farm library, play games in the hangout den, or stargaze in the open-air “kiwi lounge.”

New Morning Farms, Duvall, Washington

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 breakfast is served daily. 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 Alpaca Tiny House, Sumner, Washington

Tiny homes are becoming very popular as vacation stays, and this scenic farm in Sumner has not one but two of them available for guests. Set on the banks of the pretty Puyallup River, the idyllic 8-acre property greets visitors with a cheery red barn, historic 1930s farmhouse and the two tiny guesthouses. Each includes a living area, private deck, kitchen and bedroom with a convertible bed. Two ladder-accessible lofts make great hideouts for little kids. Outside, say hello to the adorable alpacas and gentle Highland cows grazing in the pastures, explore the surrounding trails or roast marshmallows over the riverbank firepit.

The Milk Parlor, Snohomish, Washington

Another nearby gem, just 4 miles from downtown Snohomish, this cute dairy-milking station turned studio will even impress your teens with its Instagrammable cottage-core aesthetic. Open-air garage doors lead into a funky space outfitted with vintage farmhouse décor. A smart TV, board games and free Wi-Fi will keep your gang from getting bored in the evenings, while the days can be spent chilling in the patio hammock, getting to know the resident miniature horses, Twister and Hurricane, or making s’mores over the unusual firepit, constructed from a grain silo. A fully outfitted kitchen and breakfast bar make creating delicious meals a breeze, to be enjoyed in the spacious outdoor eating area.

Oregon farm vacations

Wilson Ranches Retreat, Fossil, Oregon

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, Oregon

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, Oregon

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. Ask about farm workshops and camps available for kids, too.

More farm stays in the Pacific Northwest

Hymas Farm Stay, 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. Choose from a stay in one of the rustic cabins or go for a glamping experience in a canvas tent. Start your day with a farm-fresh breakfast delivered right to your door. Then head out to explore 15 acres of private woods with a soothing walk or ride; mountain bikes or e-bikes are available for rent. At the farmstead, try your hand at milking a cow, feeding pigs or gathering eggs, and watch kids go gaga over the cuddly lambs and bunnies.

Gordon’s Beach Farm Stay, Sooke, British Columbia

Panoramic views set this Vancouver Island hideaway apart, and it’s only a ferry ride away across the border. Located near the town of Sooke, this delightful hobby farm has four cabin and suite options to choose from and is minutes from the beach, overlooking the Olympic Mountains and Strait of Juan de Fuca. Miniature donkeys, chickens and fainting goats roam the farm, along with the deer, rabbits and diverse bird species that call the area home. The beachfront locale is perfect for water activities such as kayaking and fishing. Plus, a variety of hikes, sightseeing opportunities and two national parks are within driving distance of this farm stay destination.