Alpowa Summit Rest Area US 12 Eastbound Rest: Historic Mountain Pass Stop Alpowa Summit Eastbound Rest Area on US 12 at mile marker 413 offers more than just restrooms – you’ll find picnic tables, visitor information, and a Lewis & Clark historical marker. Located 10 miles east of Pomeroy at 2,785 feet elevation, this facility…
Blue Lake Rest Area SR 17 Multidirectional: Historic Stop in Grand Coulee Country The Blue Lake Rest Area on SR 17 at mile marker 89 sits in the heart of the Grand Coulee, 13 miles north of Soap Lake. This was Washington’s first highway rest area when it opened in 1966, and the location shows…
Elbe Rest Area SR 7 Multidirectional: Upscale Outhouses on the Mountain Route Elbe Rest Area SR 7 Multidirectional at mile marker 17 sits in the tiny town of Elbe on the way to Mount Rainier, and it’s basically fancy composting toilets with no running water. Instead of traditional restrooms, you get spacious stalls with motion-sensor…
Bevin Lake Rest Area US 12 Multidirectional on White Pass Route Bevin Lake Rest Area US 12 Multidirectional at mile marker 126 offers restrooms, drinking water, and picnic tables in a compact facility with just 7 parking spaces. Located 5 miles west of Packwood on the White Pass Scenic Byway, this small rest area serves…
Dismal Nitch Rest Area SR 401 Multidirectional: Where Lewis and Clark Got Stuck Dismal Nitch Rest Area SR 401 Multidirectional at mile marker 1 sits where Lewis and Clark camped for five miserable days in 1805 when bad weather trapped them just short of reaching the Pacific Ocean. Located 10 miles south of Naselle near…
Custer Rest Area I-5 Southbound: First Stop South of the Canadian Border The Custer Rest Area sits at mile marker 269 on southbound I-5, just 6.6 miles south of Blaine and the Canadian border crossing. You’ll find this to be the first rest area heading south after clearing customs – perfect timing for stretching legs…
Bow Hill Rest Area: Spacious Border Country Stop with Extended Parking The Bow Hill Rest Area sits at mile marker 238 on northbound I-5, about 12 miles north of Mount Vernon in the small community of Bow. You’ll find generous parking, plenty of trees for shade, and an 8-hour stay limit that makes this one…
Elma Rest Area SR 8 Eastbound: Good RV Dump, Annoying Water Timer Elma Rest Area SR 8 Eastbound at mile marker 2 sits just outside Elma, about halfway between Aberdeen and Olympia on the route that connects the Olympic Peninsula to civilization. This place works well for what it is – clean restrooms, a decent…
Dusty Rest Area SR 26 Multidirectional: Just Bathrooms in Farm Country Dusty Rest Area SR 26 Multidirectional at mile marker 118 sits in the middle of Palouse farm country, 18 miles west of Colfax, and offers exactly one amenity – restrooms. That’s it. No water fountains, no picnic tables, no vending machines, just ADA-accessible bathrooms…
Chamberlain Lake Rest Area SR 14 Multidirectional: Portable Facilities Only Due to Fire Damage The Chamberlain Lake Rest Area on SR 14 at mile marker 73 currently operates with portable toilets and parking only after fire damage closed all permanent buildings. Located 2.2 miles west of Lyle in the Columbia River Gorge, this stop normally…
Alpowa Summit Rest Area US 12 Westbound Rest Area Alpowa Summit Westbound Rest Area on US 12 at mile marker 413 keeps things simple – ADA restrooms and parking for about 10 vehicles. Located 20 miles west of Clarkston at 2,785 feet elevation, this small facility handles emergency bathroom needs for westbound travelers crossing between…
Custer Rest Area: Northbound I-5 Stop with Essential Amenities The Custer Rest Area sits at mile marker 267 on northbound I-5, about 14 miles north of Bellingham. You’ll find this the northernmost rest areas before crossing into Canada, making it a strategic stop for northbound travelers. It’s a well-maintained facility with solid amenities, though nothing…
