snow trip? we've got the rig.
who are you this season?
first chair, no 4 a.m. alarm.
You can sleep at the pass instead of driving it at dawn. Thornberry is set up for snowy weather and carries chains, and it has a heated bed waiting for you when the lifts close.
- 4x4 + chains
- heated bed
- fire pit après
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friday after work
You pick up in West Seattle, and it's dark by 4:30 in December, so you drive over with headlights and a thermos. Camp at a forest pullout below the snow line, at Lake Easton, or at a Sno-Park that allows overnight. Cook dinner on the stove, run the heated blanket on low, and be asleep by nine.
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saturday
It's forty minutes to the lot, so you're parked before the line forms. For après you sit in a camp chair by the propane fire pit with melty s'mores.
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sunday
You can spend a second day on the hill, or take a slow morning and be home by dinner.
what's in the rig?
- 4x4 Jeep w/ rooftop tent iKamper Skycamp, bedding and wool blankets. Sleeps two.
- heated blanket 12V blanket and a Jackery 1000, included. One charge runs it for two nights.
- chains on board Required on every pass from Nov 1, 4WD included. Already in the rig.
- two awnings Back kitchen awning, and a side awning so you can sit out of the snow.
- stove + fire pit Propane both. The fire pit is legal when a wood fire ban is on.
- passes in the glovebox Discover Pass and Northwest Forest Pass ride in every rig, plus our list of legal overnight spots near the passes.
where you sleep, legally
- Not at the resort Ski resorts don't allow overnight tent camping, even on the roof, but the national forest around them does, and so do the Sno-Parks.
- Dispersed, below the snow line Free, and what the rig is built for. National Forest pullouts on the lower forest roads that aren't gated for winter, on the Greenwater side for Crystal and the Skykomish side for Stevens. Our overnight list has the spots we use, and Overlanding 101 covers the rules.
- Lake Easton State Park You can stay overnight in the lot for about $12 a night plus a Sno-Park permit. It's the closest legal bed to Snoqualmie.
- Crystal Springs and Swauk Sno-Parks Overnight stays are allowed for about $20 a night plus permits, but confirm with the land manager before you count on it.
- Not these Hyak, Gold Creek and Cabin Creek are day use only.
the hills
- Crystal Mountain It's projected to open around Nov 27, but that date moves with the snow.
- Stevens Pass + Summit at Snoqualmie They're projected to open around Dec 26, and the same caveat applies.
bring
- Your own ski or board gear, and we can fit a rack on request.
- A real shell and two pairs of gloves, because one pair is always wet.
- You'll need lift tickets, and if you sleep at a Sno-Park, a permit for the lot, which costs $25 a day or $50 for the season and you buy online. The Discover Pass and Northwest Forest Pass are already in the rig. Sno-Park permits
Add-on S'mores Kit+$12
Six s'mores: local Maeve chocolate, marshmallows, grahams, roasting stick.
The propane fire pit the rig comes with is legal for s'mores even when a wood fire ban is on, so this one works in any season.
Add-on Pet fee+$50
Backseat pet mat, biscuit bag and water bowl, plus the extra cleaning.
Covers additional cleaning and minor pet mishaps. The mat gives the dog a spot that is obviously theirs and keeps a wet Labrador off your bedding at the end of a rainy day.
the quiet version of the mountains.
Snowshoe trails are empty on a weekday and silent after a storm. Thornberry gets you to the trailhead, and the Snow Trekking Kit gets you up it.
- snow trekking kit
- awning cover
- hot stove
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night one
Drive to the trailhead the evening before. Camp takes fifteen minutes to set up, and then you heat soup on the stove and go to bed by headlamp.
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day two
Put your spikes on in the lot and spend three hours out, with a thermos stop at the turnaround. You'll be back for a late lunch under the awning.
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day three
Go to Paradise at Mount Rainier if the road is open, or pick a second trail closer to camp.
what's in the rig?
- 4x4 Jeep w/ rooftop tent iKamper Skycamp, bedding and wool blankets. Sleeps two.
- heated blanket 12V blanket and a Jackery 1000, included. One charge runs it for two nights.
- chains on board Required on every pass from Nov 1, 4WD included. Already in the rig.
- two awnings Back kitchen awning, and a side awning so you can sit out of the snow.
- stove + fire pit Propane both. The fire pit is legal when a wood fire ban is on.
- passes in the glovebox Discover Pass and Northwest Forest Pass ride in every rig, plus our list of legal overnight spots near the passes.
where you sleep
- Dispersed, below the snow line Thornberry's natural habitat. You can use free National Forest pullouts on roads that aren't gated for winter, and our overnight list has the ones we use. Overlanding 101 covers the rules.
- At the trailhead Crystal Springs and Swauk Sno-Parks allow overnight stays for about $20 plus permits, while Hyak, Gold Creek and Cabin Creek don't.
- Lake Easton State Park You can stay overnight in the lot for about $12 plus a Sno-Park permit, and there are hot showers.
- Mt. Baker, Bagley Lakes lot The one ski-area lot that takes overnight rigs. You need a reservation and fee through Mt. Baker Ski Area during their season, and you wake up at the Artist Point trailhead.
the trails
- snowshoeArtist Point 4 mi and 1,000 ft from the Mt. Baker Ski Area upper lot, with the best view in the state for the effort. It's nearly three hours from Seattle, so make it the whole day. The route crosses avalanche terrain, so check the NWAC forecast and go on a low-danger day.
- snowshoeGold Creek Pond A flat 2.8 mi loop, the beginner one at Snoqualmie Pass, starting from the Gold Creek Sno-Park.
- snowshoeFranklin Falls About 6 mi in winter because the road is gated, on an easy grade up to a frozen waterfall.
- snowshoeSkyline Lake 3 mi and 1,100 ft, short and steep from the Stevens Pass lot, with a big view at the top.
- snowshoeMazama Ridge, Paradise 6 mi and 900 ft at Mount Rainier. It's an intermediate route, so check the avalanche forecast first.
- spikesTwin Falls 2.4 mi and 500 ft, low and mossy, and icy in the shade. This is the easy one.
- spikesRattlesnake Ledge 4 mi and 1,160 ft. The trail is packed hard by December, so spikes earn their keep.
- spikesLittle Si 3.7 mi and 1,300 ft, an intermediate hike that gets rocky near the top.
- spikesWallace Falls 5.6 mi and 1,300 ft, an intermediate hike with three falls, and the snow is rarely deep.
bring
- Waterproof boots and gaiters, and more wool socks than you think you need.
- A thermos, because hot cocoa at the turnaround is the whole point.
- You'll need a Sno-Park permit if you park at one, which costs $25 a day or $50 for the season and you buy online. The Discover Pass and Northwest Forest Pass are already in the rig. Sno-Park permits
Add-on Snow Trekking Kit+$30/night
Two pairs of microspikes or two pairs of snowshoes, plus two sets of trekking poles. Message us which you need.
Spikes for packed and icy trails, snowshoes for fresh snow. Trekking poles come with either.
Add-on S'mores Kit+$12
Six s'mores: local Maeve chocolate, marshmallows, grahams, roasting stick.
The propane fire pit the rig comes with is legal for s'mores even when a wood fire ban is on, so this one works in any season.
Add-on Pet fee+$50
Backseat pet mat, biscuit bag and water bowl, plus the extra cleaning.
Covers additional cleaning and minor pet mishaps. The mat gives the dog a spot that is obviously theirs and keeps a wet Labrador off your bedding at the end of a rainy day.
watch the pacific throw a fit.
December through February is storm season on the Washington coast, with twenty-foot swells, king tides, and driftwood the size of the Jeep. You don't need any snow for it.
- wool blankets
- awning walls
- year-round camps
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day one
It's three hours west to Kalaloch or Cape Disappointment, and both are open year-round. Put the awning out with the walls on, wrap up in a wool blanket, and watch the whole show from a camp chair.
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day two
Take a beach walk at low tide, then head to the rain forest. The Hoh is at its greenest when it's soaking wet.
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day three
Catch the king tide at dawn if the calendar lines up, then drive home up 101 along Hood Canal. Stop for oysters at Hama Hama, and stop again at Taylor's in Shelton.
what's in the rig?
- 4x4 Jeep w/ rooftop tent iKamper Skycamp, bedding and wool blankets. Sleeps two.
- heated blanket 12V blanket and a Jackery 1000, included. One charge runs it for two nights.
- chains on board Required on every pass from Nov 1, 4WD included. Already in the rig.
- two awnings Back kitchen awning, and a side awning so you can sit out of the snow.
- stove + fire pit Propane both. The fire pit is legal when a wood fire ban is on.
- passes in the glovebox Discover Pass and Northwest Forest Pass ride in every rig, plus our list of legal overnight spots near the passes.
where you sleep
- Kalaloch Campground In Olympic National Park, on the bluff above the beach. It's open year-round, but in winter it's first come and some loops are closed.
- Cape Disappointment State Park You can camp here year-round, and Waikiki Beach is the classic storm-watching spot.
- Hoh Rain Forest Campground Open year-round and first come. Check park conditions after a big storm.
- Belfair State Park On Hood Canal, and you can reserve the campground year-round. The beach is oyster country, but WDFW's harvest season there runs August to October, so in winter you eat them at the farms down the road instead.
the show
- stormKing tides These are the year's highest tides, and they come late November through January. Washington Sea Grant publishes the dates.
- stormRialto Beach and La Push You get sea stacks and driftwood, and the parking lot is right at the sand.
- stormWestport jetty The closest big-wave spot to Seattle. Stay off the rocks when it's running.
- oystersHama Hama Oyster Saloon In Lilliwaup, right on 101 and Hood Canal. The saloon is open Friday to Sunday, 11 to 4 in winter, and the farm store is open daily. Book ahead.
- oystersTaylor Shellfish, Shelton The farm store is on Lynch Road and open daily. Fill the cooler for the last night's dinner.
- low tideDungeness Spit 11 mi round trip to the lighthouse on the longest sand spit in the country, and it costs $3 a carload. Go only at low tide. A short winter day makes it a full one.
bring
- A hooded shell that is actually waterproof, and rubber boots.
- Binoculars and a tide table.
- A dry pair of camp shoes that you never walk the beach in.
Add-on Pet fee+$50
Backseat pet mat, biscuit bag and water bowl, plus the extra cleaning.
Covers additional cleaning and minor pet mishaps. The mat gives the dog a spot that is obviously theirs and keeps a wet Labrador off your bedding at the end of a rainy day.
Add-on S'mores Kit+$12
Six s'mores: local Maeve chocolate, marshmallows, grahams, roasting stick.
The propane fire pit the rig comes with is legal for s'mores even when a wood fire ban is on, so this one works in any season.
four things, every trip
chains from Nov 1
Washington requires every vehicle on the passes to carry chains from November 1, 4WD included. Thornberry's are in the rig. Check WSDOT pass reports before you leave.
no heaters in the tent
No propane heaters inside the tent or the Jeep. Carbon monoxide. The heated blanket is the heat, and on low it covers the night.
sleep where it's legal
Overnight parking is allowed at some Sno-Parks and state parks and banned at others. Our list comes with the booking, so you aren't guessing in the dark.
keep the battery warm
Cold cuts battery capacity. The Jackery rides in the cab or the tent, never on the rack, and recharges while you drive.
fri + sat nights
$200/night
sun – thu nights
$165/night
Our nightly rate. Outdoorsy shows the final total with the protection package and taxes added. New to Outdoorsy? Book from our quote and the 10% Outdoorsy guest service fee is waived.
gift a trip
A winter weekend in a rig is a better present than another thing. Email us the dates and who it's for and we'll set it up as a gift.
ask about a gift booking →