Sherman Pass Scenic Byway

Find solitude, small towns, and a towering mountain pass

Length

40 Miles | 64 KM

Drive Time

1 Hour

Recommended Stay

1 Day

Regions

Eastern

explore the sherman pass scenic byway

State Route 20 between Republic and Kettle Falls

The Sherman Pass Scenic Byway crosses northeast Washington, offering abundant natural beauty and history. Beginning near Republic, the route climbs over Sherman Pass, Washington’s highest maintained mountain pass at 5,575 feet, and winds through Colville National Forest toward Kettle Falls and Lake Roosevelt. Towering pine, fir, and larch forests, waterfalls, and wildlife habitat line the way, alongside historic logging sites. Explore small towns, scenic trails, and quiet landscapes.

Time Your Trip: This byway is typically accessible year-round.

discover destinations

Republic
The western gateway to the byway, Republic’s charming Old West downtown offers museums, cafés, lodging, hiking trails, and easy access to outdoor recreation. Nearby, visitors can dig for fossils at Stonerose Interpretive Center & Eocene Fossil Site or immerse themselves in farm life with a stay on a working ranch.

Colville National Forest
Covering 1.5 million acres across northeast Washington, Colville National Forest is home to trails, lakes, and ample wildlife. Sherman Pass crosses the Kettle River Range in the forest, and visitors can stop at scenic viewpoints.

Kettle Falls
Tiny Kettle Falls combines natural beauty with cultural history. Situated along part of Lake Roosevelt, a 150-mile-long reservoir on the Columbia River, this small community is home to the Kettle Falls Historical Center, marinas, campgrounds, and scenic shoreline viewpoints.

Colville
East of the core byway, Colville features lodging, dining, and access to Crystal Falls and the Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge. The state’s largest wildlife refuge comprises 42,600 acres and was established in 1939 to protect breeding grounds for migratory birds. Today, it’s home to black bears, elk, moose, and more.