Under-the-Radar Outdoor Destinations, Northwest and Interior West

A set of under-the-radar destinations across the Pacific Northwest and interior West offer diverse outdoor and cultural experiences. Bay Center, Washington, is a tiny oyster-farming village on a Willapa Bay peninsula — a quiet coastal spot for whale-watching and sunsets about 2.5 hours from Seattle or Portland via U.S. 101. Omak positions itself as an affordable hub for nature escapes with access to four state parks (Discover Pass required), a farmers market, vintage shops and annual events such as the Omak Stampede. Central Utah's Mayfield serves as a rugged basecamp between Provo and Richfield for camping, climbing, OHV routes and Palisade State Park, reachable by scenic drives from Salt Lake City. Near Mount Rainier, dispersed camping along the White River off Highway 410 offers primitive, secluded sites about 80 miles from Seattle with no hookups or toilets and recommendations for high-clearance vehicles. Slickpoo, Idaho, a mostly abandoned community along Mission Creek about 22 miles from Lewiston, preserves the legacy of the St. Joseph Mission and remains accessible via Lewiston–Nez Perce County Airport.