Methow

Methow refers to the Methow Valley and the Methow River in north-central Washington, United States. The valley lies in Okanogan County, running roughly north–south between the North Cascades to the west and the Okanogan Highlands to the east. The Methow River originates in the Cascade Range and flows through the valley before draining into the Columbia River basin. The valley includes the towns of Winthrop and Twisp, with Winthrop notable for its well-preserved 19th-century Western-style main street. Much of the area lies within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and nearby wilderness areas such as the Pasayten Wilderness provide access to backcountry.

Climate in the Methow Valley is relatively dry and sunny, with hot summers and cold winters. This climate, together with the surrounding mountains, supports a wide range of outdoor activities. The region is known for the Methow Trails system, a network of groomed cross‑country ski trails in winter, and for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and rafting in warmer months. Tourism, ranching, and agriculture also contribute to the local economy.

Indigenous peoples inhabited the Methow Valley for thousands of years before European-American settlement. The name Methow is derived from a word in a local Indigenous language. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, settlers established small communities and farms, and later the area developed as a rural recreation destination.