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Index, Washington is a tiny town nestled in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Even though it’s just over 50 miles from metropolitan Seattle, it feels worlds away with its small-town feel and lush surroundings. Being a popular destination for rock climbing, climbers from all over the world flock to the town in hopes of reaching the summit.
The North Fork Skykomish River runs through the town, and the scenic Highway 2 runs past Index, from Monroe to the west to Stevens Pass and beyond to the east. The town gets its name from nearby Mount Index, a steep and dramatic peak that resembles an index finger. With RV rentals in Index, it’s easy to access beautiful hikes, world-class rock climbing, and stunning mountains.
Index is a rock climber’s mecca, with granite walls soaring up to 700 feet tall just minutes outside of town. The area is well suited for several types of climbing: bouldering, sport climbing, and trad climbing. However, the crags are generally stout and not appropriate for beginners. For experienced climbers though, this hidden gem is full of classic routes, and they can temporarily embrace the “dirtbag” lifestyle by climbing and camping in an Index RV rental.
Also just minutes from downtown lies the Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls Trailhead. Both the falls and the lake are stunning destinations, but it takes some serious hiking to get there--2000 feet of elevation gain over the 8.2 mile round-trip trail. However, the views are stunning and the hike is beautiful.
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest covers much of the area surrounding Index, and it offers stunning glacial peaks and alpine meadows, with opportunities for hiking and mountaineering. The hikes here range from easy to more strenuous so there’s something for every activity level. There are designated areas for four-wheeling and shooting, and several companies offer guided river rafting expeditions. The national forest is beautiful in all seasons, although some roads are closed or impassable in the winter. In warm weather, it’s a wonderful place to explore with an RV rental near Index.
Just over an hour’s drive to the east lies Leavenworth, a Bavarian-themed town settled in Cascade Mountains. The village features Bavarian-style buildings and businesses, with restaurants serving brats and German beer. Leavenworth hosts an annual Christmas Lighting Festival with sledding, an appearance by St. Nickolaus, and of course lights and Christmas carols. Leavenworth has designated RV parking lots, so it’s easy to rent an RV and explore the town.
Since Index is so small, there are few options nearby for a traditional RV park type of campground. The closest option to town is the Outdoor Adventures rustic campground. Amenities are limited, with no RV hookups, no fresh water, no trash service, and portable bathrooms only. However, if you are prepared to boondock, this can be good option. Outdoor Adventures offers guided kayak and canoe tours, so you can spend the day on the water and then camp nearby. Although it’s rustic, this is the only place to camp with your motorhome rental in Index.
Alternatively, you can head east to Money Creek Campground in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. This campground is still considered rustic with no RV hookups, but there are picnic tables, drinking water, and vault toilets. Money Creek is an excellent location for fishing and hiking in the summer and fall, and skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.
If you prefer to camp in a park with hookups and other amenities, head west to the Thunderbird RV and Camping Resort. They offer full hookups, bathrooms and showers, and wifi. The resort also has plentiful recreation opportunities including mini golf, a pool and hot tub, and a playground.
Gas stations and grocery stores are limited in the area, so it's a good idea to fill your gas tank and stock up on groceries in advance.
With only a few hundred residents, Index has remained mostly untouched by commercial development. The town is peaceful and quiet, and includes a general store, town hall, and lodge. There is also an activities center that rents out kayaks and bikes, and offers rafting tours.
Part of the Outdoor Adventure Center offers a Café that serves up classic Pacific Northwest fare, while you wait. Their menu includes salmon burgers, hearty chili, and pastries like the Index Butterhorn. They also offer seasonal foods, tasting menus, and local beer and wine. This is a wonderful place to stay with your travel trailer rental in Index as you can camp, dine, and embark on a rafting adventure without having to leave your campsite!
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