Everyone In Washington Needs To Take This Scenic Drive As Soon As Possible

We’ve got farmers markets full of local produce, an award-winning wine industry, lush, green scenery for miles on end… and that’s just the beginning. There’s so much to love about Washington. And believe it or not, there’s a scenic drive in Thurston County that is like a showcase of everything beautiful our state has to offer.

The Thurston County Bountiful Byway is a picturesque pathway that takes you through the communities of Yelm, Rainier, Tenino, Bucoda, Grand Mound, Rochester and Littlerock. It’s accessible from the I-5 Nisqually Valley Exit 114 or from US-101 via the Mud Bay Exit. You can easily complete the 62-mile drive in a day, but you might want to take your time and make a weekend of it. There’s just that much to see.

Thurston Bountiful Byway

The byway was established in 2014. People were flying through Olympia on I-5 without stopping in Thurston County, and the locals wanted to bring their attention to the abundance of agriculture in the area. A party for producers, farmers, elected officials and media representatives was held at the Schilter Family Farm in the Nisqually River Valley to celebrate the launch of the byway two years ago.

Helsing Junction Farm

There are dozens of stops along the appropriately named Bountiful Byway. The Olympia Farmers Market is open Thursday-Sunday from April through October, and several other markets are open on weekends. But you’ll have plenty of options for farm fresh produce on the weekdays as well―Helsing Junction Farm, pictured here, has a farmstand that’s open seven days a week. You can also buy sustainably raised meat from the 150 year old Nelson Ranch.

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Medicine Creek Winery

If you’re letting someone else do the driving or you’re spending the night in the area, indulge in a little wine tasting or locally made beer. Tasting room hours vary, but you’ll find that something is open every day of the week. The Medicine Creek Winery is an especially fun place to stop. The boutique winery and tasting room is reminiscent of an 1800s New Orleans lounge.

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Prairie Hotel

Speaking of spending the night, Yelm’s Prairie Hotel is located between Olympia and Mount Rainier. You’ll enjoy all the comforts of home and breathtaking views of Mount Rainier.

David A. / Yelp

If you’ve got the time, park your car and take a walk through nature. The 1.1-mile McLane Creek Nature Trail can be accessed from Delphi Road, while the mysterious Mima Mounds off Waddell Creek Road in the Capitol State Forest are a sight to behold.

Warning: Driving along the Bountiful Byway could spark a desire to take more scenic road trips across the state. When that happens, you’ll definitely have plenty of options.