Let’s Go! Best Off-Road Trails in the Pacific Northwest

While the other regions we’ve covered in our Best Off-Road Series have their own charm and personality, perhaps none screams outdoors more than the Pacific Northwest. This nature-rich region gives us lush green forests, picturesque mountainscapes, surreal coastlines, and fiercely independent towns and cities. As an East-Coaster, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the Pacific Northwest and the places I visited and pictures I took have made a lasting impact on my view of this great country. While I didn’t get the chance to 4×4, I stand firm in my belief that the trails, scenery, and history make it a must-wheel for anyone who gets the chance.

We covered our favorite trails and runs to see in SoCal, Central California, NorCal, Colorado, and the Southwest so continuing our trek across the country, let’s visit trails and events you NEED to see in the Pacific Northwest. This region includes Oregon, Washington, and Idaho – as well as our friendly neighbor to the north, British Columbia, Canada.

Oregon – Bennett Pass

There are quite a few reasons to visit Oregon’s Mt. Hood—the ski resort, the historic Timberline Lodge (from The Shining), and the 100+ camping areas. But if you’re a dirt seeker, Bennett Pass may very well be the number one reason.

Able to be run in either direction, Bennett Pass has quite the breadth of terrain to be traversed. You’ll find yourself deep in fir-laden forests, blinded by powdery dust, in and out of washed-out ruts, and slowly descending down rock shelves. But it’s not as difficult as other trails on our list, so more novice riders can tackle without too much worry – and you’ll want to, as the views you’ll see of Mount Hood are the stuff of paintings and post cards. On clear days you can even see hundreds of miles over the Oregon landscape. Bring your camera!

Washington – Naches Trail

Like many trails in our Must Do series, Naches Trail has a story and a history. We’ve all played Oregon Trail growing up and the images of Conestoga wagons, fording rivers, and the inevitable death of a party member have stayed in our minds since elementary school. While Naches Trail is one state upward from the game’s namesake, it was an important throughfare for mid-1800’s settlers. And while it can certainly prove a challenge to many a modern 4×4, it’s hard not to think about a comparatively fragile wagon making the same journey.

Luckily, we’ve come a long way in 175 years, but that doesn’t mean Naches Pass won’t provide a challenge for novice and experienced wheelers alike. Naches Trail was designed with 3 starting points—one comfortable for stock 4x4s, one for mildly-lifted vehicles, and one where a more well-equipped rig will be required. At around 12.25 miles, allot yourself around 4 hours to complete. Naches Trail consists primarily of softer gravel and dirt with the occasional tree stump and rock ledge, but like most trails, the later in the season you go, the muddier the trail can get.

While challenging terrain is the often the highlight of off-roading, Naches Trail’s scenery tells an equally captivating story. You’ll start out trekking deep through the forest, encountering creek crossings and several wooden bridges. This eventually will lead to mountain meadows and open fields with breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world—the active Mount Rainer. But don’t worry, at least in the 2020s you probably won’t need to worry about dysentery.

Idaho – St. Anthony Sand Dunes

Switching gears from the lush and varied vegetation of the previous trails, our choice for Idaho is beautiful in a different way. Consisting of over 10,000 acres of clear white quartz sand, the St. Anthony Dunes is a sight to behold. Located 11 miles north of Rexburg, ID, these sand dunes bring riders from all over the U.S. (and the world!) who are seeking an off-road adventure of a different kind. With dunes reaching over 400 ft. in height, this ain’t your basic day at the beach.

While the large dunes in the western part will test the nerves of more experienced riders, the smaller firm-rolling dunes to the east are perfect for novices who are literally looking to dip their toes in the sand.

If you’re eager to tackle the sand on an ATV/UTV, rentals are available with experts ready to show you the ins and outs of the St. Anthony Sand Dunes to maximize your visit. And while sand dunes don’t exactly elicit the same response as Disney World, it’s a great spot for the family as well. With plenty of campsites and swimming at Elgin Lakes (right on the dunes), those who may not be as 4×4-inclined will have a great time as well.

British Columbia – Whipsaw Trail

If you’re looking for more than just a quick day trip, consider crossing the border into Canada for our final trail on the list. Clocking in at around a 4-hour drive from Seattle, the legendary Whipsaw Trail has become revered by off-roaders and overlanders alike. While it’s 60-mile length may not seem long enough to squeeze multiple days out of the trail, the scarcely-level terrain, multiple water/mud crossings, and breathtaking vistas will often slow your progress to a creep.

The nice thing about Whipsaw Trail is that many of its obstacles have secondary go-arounds for those who aren’t confident in the ability of themselves or their vehicle on certain features. There are numerous ways to progress through the trail. As the movie and TV trope states, you can do things the easy way, or you can do things the hard way. Because of the many auxiliary routes, we recommend having a GPS handy—as we’ve recommended HERE.

The Whipsaw Trail season typically runs from June-October, but as always, check trail conditions before setting out. Make sure to pack the essentials, and to maximize your trip, we recommend a 4×4 with a moderate lift at the very minimum.

Meet BEDSLIDE

The best thing about having a truck is the versatility and space the bed provides. For professionals, tradesmen, or contractors, their fleet is the lifeblood of their business. In much the same vein, for the weekend warrior, adventurer, or overlander, their truck is not only a necessity for doing what they love, but an extension of themselves and their personality.

Both groups often utilize tonneau covers and bed caps to protect their truck and their contents. While these do a great job with protection, they don’t provide any added functionality to the space. Those of us who frequently haul heavier items, are shorter in stature, or have mobility problems have often strained our backs attempting to unload cargo.

BEDSLIDE is here to put an end to your pain.

BEDLSIDE sliding storage systems mount directly to your truck, van, or SUV and act as a giant smooth actuating tray for your items. Just pull out the BEDSLIDE unit, and what was up near your cab is now within reach! Made in the USA, BEDSLIDE products use 100% weather resistant materials, a super safe and secure latching system, and feature an easy installation. With BEDSLIDE’S all-new Max Extension 2000, you get the insane one-ton capacity of the 2000 Heavy Duty Series with 100% extension for full access to your truck bed!