The Pacific Northwest & Kootenay Loop Master Itinerary
Total Distance: 793 Miles | Duration: 2 Days | Highlights: Alpine Passes, Lakeside Highways, Two Ferry Crossings
Day 1: Moses Lake to Nakusp (345 Miles)
Your first day leads out from the Central Washington desert. You will slice through quiet agricultural highways before tracing the scenic shores of the Columbia River into the deep, forested valleys of the West Kootenays.
Click to Open Day 1 Navigation Route on Google Maps
GPX File that can be loaded into Indian Ride Command
Leg 1: Moses Lake to Davenport (137 Miles)
Start out from McDonald’s on Kittelson Road in Moses Lake and merge onto I-90 East. Roll through the plains toward Sprague. Next, turn north onto WA-23 North and WA-28 North to arrive in Davenport. Finally, pull into the Cenex station on the main drag to top off your fuel tank.
Leg 2: Davenport to Frontier Border Crossing (104 Miles)
From Davenport, connect briefly to US-2 East, then carve north on WA-25 North. This long, beautiful section tracks directly along the high bluffs overlooking the winding Columbia River. Look for the wide, paved roadside turnouts on the left shoulder. These spots allow you to park your bike safely and snap photos across the river gorge before crossing into Canada at Frontier.
Leg 3: Frontier to Nakusp (104 Miles)
After you cross the international border, head north on BC-22 through Kinnaird. Next, take Highway 3 East to Highway 3A North, then connect to Highway 6 West to track up the spectacular Slocan Valley. As you ride the eastern shoreline of Slocan Lake, use the paved lakeside rest pullouts just north of Silverton for a clear photo across the water toward Valhalla Provincial Park. Finish your day by riding directly into Nakusp. Pull straight into CANCO NAKUSP to refuel so your bike is ready for tomorrow.
Day 2: Nakusp to Ephrata (448 Miles)
Day two steps up the technical riding. You will experience scenic lake ferries, a high alpine pass, a rapid descent through the Okanagan valley, and a cruise back south into the grand basalt coulees of Washington.
Click to Open Day 2 Navigation Route on Google Maps
GPX File that can be loaded into Indian Ride Command
Leg 1: Nakusp to Kelowna (140 Miles)
Head south on Highway 6 out of Nakusp to Fauquier. Here, you will roll aboard the Upper Arrow Lake Ferry over to Needles. Secure your motorcycle on deck and step off to catch a 360-degree floating photo of the Monashee Mountains reflecting on the water.
After rolling off the boat, continue on Highway 6 West and climb sharply up to the Monashee Pass summit (3,898 ft). A wide gravel turnout next to the summit sign makes an excellent high-mountain photo backdrop. Next, ride the tight switchbacks down into Vernon, track south along Highway 97 into Kelowna, and pull into the Safeway Fuel Station to fill up.
Leg 2: Kelowna to Wilbur (145 Miles)
Head east out of Kelowna on BC-33 South, carving through the high mountain bends down to Rock Creek. Join Highway 3 East to roll through Grand Forks, then turn south on BC-41 to cross back into the United States at the Carson/Anarchist Mountain border post.
Follow WA-21 South through Republic and ride the free Keller Ferry across the Columbia River reservoir. Cruise the final miles of WA-21 South into Wilbur and pull directly into Conoco for your final scheduled fuel stop.
Leg 3: Wilbur to Ephrata (163 Miles)
From Wilbur, point your bike west on US-2 and cruise into Coulee City. Turn south onto WA-17 South and pull immediately into the dedicated, paved parking area at the historic Dry Falls Overlook Point. Walk out to the cliffside stone gazebo to take a final panorama across the massive 3.5-mile-wide Ice Age canyon wall.
Finally, jump back on the bike, follow WA-17 South past Soap Lake, and take WA-28 South to wrap up the loop in Ephrata.
Essential Nakusp Trip Planning Checklist
Before hitting the road for Canada, verify these vital trip essentials:
- Passport: Check or renew your passport (required for Canadian entry).
- Customs Rules: Leave all weapons, firearms, and restricted items at home.
- Lodging: Book your hotel or Airbnb in Nakusp in advance.
- Insurance: Verify motorcycle insurance and international coverage details.
- Navigation: Download offline maps and GPX routes.
- Apparel: Pack rain gear and layerable riding apparel.
- Finances: Notify credit card companies of international travel.
- Emergency Info: Confirm emergency contacts and medical information.
- Cell Data: Check with your carrier for international roaming coverage.
