Mazama

Magic in the Methow

Perched at the end of the Methow Valley just east of the North Cascades, Mazama is a small recreation-based community with big appeal. Its beautiful landscape, abundant recreational opportunities, relaxed atmosphere and friendly community come together to make Mazama a special place. You don't have to live there to feel the magic.

Mazama's landscape is awe-inspiring with sweet-smelling Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests, vast shrub-steppe hills and open meadows of wheatgrass, sagebrush and wildflowers. May is great time to visit as summer arrives a little earlier on the east side of the mountains. Over 160 species of wildflowers carpet the Methow Valley's shrub lands from diminutive blue-eyed Mary to showy arrowleaf balsamroot. Meandering through the valley is the Methow River, lined with patches of aspen and marshlands. On hot summer days the suspension bridge over the river can be a gathering place for dipping in the water.

Mazama is a haven for recreational activities, including hiking, climbing, biking, fly-fishing, rafting, horseback riding and skiing. Surrounded by more than a million acres of national wilderness and forestlands with the Pasayten Wilderness to the north, the Sawtooth Range to the south and the North Cascades to the east, the opportunities to explore are limitless.

Within the valley, the Methow Valley Sport Trails Association (MVSTA) maintains year-round an elaborate network of more than 200 kilometers of trails. Created in partnership with the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, several state agencies and many private landowners, the trail system crisscrosses the valley from Mazama to Sun Mountain, with the 32-kilometer Methow Community Trail running right through the middle. Come winter, the groomed, interconnected Nordic trail system attracts cross-country skiers from all over including Olympic athletes and those just starting out. It's the second largest Nordic trail system in the world!

Population of Mazama is just 230. Residents are super friendly and always welcoming. The town has a handful of businesses including the Mazama Country Store, which is a vital outpost for residents and visitors alike.  The Mazama Community Center hosts a weekly farmers market during the summer as well as other gatherings year-round.

Many people believe the town's name, Mazama, means mountain goat after the many goats that once inhabited the surrounding area.  Looming above Mazama is Goat Peak, where one can take a short, but steep day hike to the lookout and meet Lightning Bill.

For more info about Mazama, visit www.mazama.org.