U.S. Highway 2 Itinerary: Day 1

Tucked between the majestic Cascade Mountains and the serene waters of Puget Sound, Sky Valley is a true hidden gem offering a perfect blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and small-town charm. It’s the perfect Pacific Northwest escape, where you’ll discover some of the region’s best food, lodging, and outdoor activities.

Grab your boots, your appetite, and your sense of adventure for a date with the Upper Sky Valley.

The Sky Valley is the ultimate outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Every year, thousands of thrill seekers make the pilgrimage to the Skykomish River Valley to take on the world-class river rafting, rock climbing, and trails. The Reiter Foothills State Forest is a 10,000-acre plot of forest land configured for ATVs, 4 x 4’s, and motorized joy riding. The Heybrook Lookout was built in 1925 and sits at 1,700 feet to provide a sweeping view of the surrounding glacial peaks and river valley. The Iron Goat Trail gives a glimpse into the area’s glory days as a railroad throughway, as well as it’s tragic past during the Wellington Disaster. You can event rent or buy equipment from the local snow sports pros at Steven’s Pass Snowboard Shop (Gold Bar) on your way to shredding some pow pow at Steven’s Pass Ski Resort.No matter what your passion is, you’ll find it throughout the playground that is the Sky Valley.

There are plenty of ways to work up an appetite in the Upper Skykomish River Valley. And just as many ways to satisfy it. From deli sandwiches to coffee and roadside diners and beyond, the Sky Valley has your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack attack covered. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that LouSki’s Deli (Skykomish), Bubba’s RoadHouse Bar and Grill (Sultan), and Mountain View Diner (Gold Bar) are worth the trip to Sky Valley alone. Here, you’ll also find Bigfoot at the famous Espresso Chalet (Gold Bar) coffee stop, and an adult beverage with a view, a fire pit, and friendly vibes at Mount Index Sand Bar Tavern (Index).

In the towns and cities of the Sky Valley, you won't find big hotels, but rather big views from your deck or window — and the fitness center is the trail just outside your door. Sky Valley offers one-of-a-kind vacation rental getaways, including charming cabins, cozy tree houses, and even stunning glass geodesic domes. Some of our favorites include Index Cabins (Index), A Cabin on the Sky (Index), Bush House Inn (Index), Cascadia Inn (Skykomish), and the more than amazing 40 cabins and properties managed by Tree Line Vacation Rentals (Gold Bar). Sky Valley is the perfect place to create lasting memories in a truly unique setting!