Packwood has adventure in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest
Packwood is a former timber town that has transformed into an epicenter for outdoor adventure in the volcanic mountains of the Cascade Range. Surrounded by a national forest, its 1,000 residents have convenient access to ski slopes, glacial lakes and the colossal mountains of a Mount Rainier National Park. With a nature-oriented vibe, it features custom-built cabins and eclectic local restaurants that make it a convenient place to live full-time or have a second home near significant natural landscapes in the Pacific Northwest. "One of the things we appreciate is the quiet. Although, it’s becoming a little bit more of a tourist destination, and many of our houses are second homes," says Joey Jennings, a broker at Four-U Realty, Inc., and a lifelong resident who has lived in the area for nearly 50 years. "People really enjoy the access to Mount Rainier, the White Pass Ski Area and the Goat Rocks. Most people who live in the area spend a lot of time outdoors, and our community is based around recreation."
Outdoor recreation includes volcanic mountains and glacial lakes
About 25 miles west, Mount Rainier National Park is one of the country's most significant natural landmarks. This active volcanic area offers over 260 miles of hiking trails, with wildflower meadows, waterfalls, diverse wildlife and panoramic views. The White Pass Ski area has over 40 ski runs and snowshoe tours through a winter alpine landscape. The Packwood Trailhead is a 4-mile path to a scenic glacier-fed lake known for its campsites. Packwood rests along the Cowlitz River, providing easy access to floating routes. The Goat Rocks Wilderness Area is also nearby in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, with hiking and backpacking trails through the snow-covered peaks of an extinct volcano in the Cascade Range. "Personally, I enjoy the quiet time during the fall. After the tourist season, it’s easy to get out to the woods, hike and forage for mushrooms," Jennings says.
Views and natural cabin interiors with floor-to-ceiling windows
Packwood is surrounded by towering evergreen trees and blue-tinted mountain silhouettes. Its flat lots are densely wooded, featuring cabins and Craftsman-style homes with midcentury features like floor-to-ceiling windows, which bring a nature-oriented vibe to the area's interiors. Many homes are custom-built with features like raised decks and A-frame architecture. Home prices range from $300,000 to $1.4 million. Homes that are over 2,000 square feet are typically over $1 million. Manufactured homes go for $160,000 to $760,000. "Our prices have nearly doubled since 2018, but values have dropped slightly, and homes are staying on the market for longer," Jennings says. "For full-time residents, we have high speed internet and a whole community of people who are able to work from home."
Due to its proximity to multiple active volcanoes, Packwood can experience lahars, or volcanic mudflow events that can bring debris. Avalanches can also have a similar effect on the area. While these natural events can cause property damage, they are highly common risks for most communities in the region, particularly in the river valleys of the Cascade Range.
Dive bars and brewpubs serve as local watering holes
Packwood has a surprising variety of unique restaurants and bars. "Local restaurants are really doing well. We have multiple burger joints, and we have diverse food coming into the area. We now have a Thai food truck and two brewing companies," Jennings says. One example is Cliff Droppers, a classic Pacific-style diner with a shaded patio. The Packwood Brewing Company serves craft beer and Tex-Mex dishes in a space reminiscent of a hunting lodge, and its outdoor dining area offers views of Mount Rainier. However, Packwood's most notable establishment is the Blue Spruce Saloon and Diner. While it appears to be a regular dive bar at first glance, this homegrown establishment is a local watering hole, with a menu of sandwiches, burgers and fries. "All the locals just call it 'the Spruce,'" Jennings says. The area's primary grocery store is Blanton's Market IGA, and convenience stores like the Tatoosh Food Mart are nearby.
White Pass schools provide academic support and enrichment
The White Pass School District offers two schools that serve around 500 students White Pass Elementary School serves grades PK-6 and offers entry into the highly capable program, which provides gifted students with cross-curricular projects, field trips and job shadowing resources. White Pass Junior/Senior High School serves 7-12 students and has GEARUP, a designated time for tutoring hours after school. White Pass Elementary and White Pass Junior/Senior High earn a C-plus grade from Niche.
U.S. Route 12 connects Packwood to nearby towns and the Yakima airport
The community's main thoroughfare is U.S. Route 12, which leads to nearby communities. National forest Route 52 provides a straight route to Centralia and Tacoma, which is about 80 miles northwest. However, the trip can take around two hours, and NF-52 may close in the winter due to heavy snowfall. The nearest emergency room is Arbor Health in nearby Morton. Approximately 75 miles east, the Yakima Air Terminal offers two daily direct flights to Seattle.
