Tonasket anchors the experience for anyone visiting McLaughlin Canyon. The canyon sits four miles south of town, carved through the Okanogan Highlands in banded metamorphic gneiss. After hiking the canyon trail or birding at dawn, every visitor needs reliable food, shelter, and fuel. Tonasket delivers with practical, no-fuss amenities that serve the ranchers and travelers who cross this stretch of US-97.
Lodging in Tonasket
Two primary motels anchor Tonasket's lodging: the Red Apple Inn and the Junction Motel & Laundromat. Both are family-run, affordable, and located on Whitcomb Avenue (US-97's local name).
The Red Apple Inn (20 S Whitcomb Ave) offers 21 rooms equipped with microwaves, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, reliable wifi, and in-room coffee. The Junction Motel (509 S Whitcomb Ave) provides budget rooms with similar amenities, plus a 24-hour mini-mart and laundromat next door.
Spectacle Lake Resort (10 McCammon Rd, 11 miles east) is a hybrid: rustic kitchen cabins plus RV and tent sites, with a heated pool and camp store. The cabins date to the 1950s with updates. It leans more "comfortable camping" than resort.
Several B&Bs and vacation rentals appear on Airbnb and VRBO, though availability fluctuates with the seasons. Book ahead for July and August. Motel rooms typically run $75 to $120 per night; cabins and B&Bs range $130 to $200. Call motels directly for best rates, as online platforms sometimes lag behind availability in this part of Washington.
Camping
Bonaparte Lake Campground sits inside the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, approximately 30 miles east of Tonasket via SR-20 and County Road 4953. The campground has 28 forested sites among ponderosa pine and Douglas fir, with vault toilets and a boat launch. Sites cost $12 per night. Some are reservable on Recreation.gov (up to six months in advance); others are first-come, first-served. The lake holds rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout.
Osoyoos Lake Veterans Memorial Park in Oroville (17 miles north) offers approximately 86 sites ranging from primitive walk-in to full utility hookups. The 47-acre park sits on a 14-mile lake that extends into British Columbia. Fees run $16 to $33 per night plus an $8 reservation fee. Swimming beach, boat ramp, and volleyball courts draw families and Canadian visitors in summer.
For the self-sufficient, dispersed camping is allowed throughout the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and BLM parcels. These primitive sites have no water, toilets, or trash service. Pack in everything and pack out every scrap. The 14-day stay limit is enforced. Most dispersed sites are accessible May through mid-November. High-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles are often required.
Restaurants
Iron Grill is the best restaurant in Tonasket. Steaks, creative sides, and consistently well-executed dishes make it the obvious choice for a proper sit-down meal after a day at the canyon.
Creekside Kitchen (626 S Whitcomb Ave) underwent a full remodel under new ownership, blending country comfort with modern touches and rotating daily specials. Tonasket Pizza Company (15 W 4th St) handles takeout and dine-in. Joyful Thai serves curries and stir-fried dishes. Mexican options include Rancho Grande and Pablo's Taqueria.
For coffee, Rooster's Espresso & Ice Cream (201 Hwy 97 N) has been a Tonasket staple since 2004, serving espresso, smoothies, and soft-serve from a drive-thru and walk-up window. Beanadiction and Bello's Brew also serve espresso and pastries.
Chain options are limited to Subway. Restaurant hours shift with the seasons. Call ahead if arriving late or during the winter months.
If you have a rest day, the drive to Not Doug's Country Kitchen and Espresso in Aeneas Valley (27 miles from the canyon) is worth the trip. Hearty diner breakfasts, burgers, and strong coffee in a beautiful valley setting.
Groceries and Supplies
Tonasket Natural Foods Co-op (21 W 4th St) is Tonasket's sole health food store and deserves a visit beyond the deli. Organic produce, bulk bins, specialty items, and a fantastic deli counter serving custom sandwiches and homemade soups (including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options) from 11 AM to 2 PM. Hours: Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 6 PM, Sundays 11 AM to 4 PM.
For full-service grocery shopping, Beyers Market and Grant's Family Foods (18 W 4th St) both carry fresh produce, meats, dairy, and household supplies. Either will cover everything you need for a canyon trip.
For last-minute supplies, The Junction (adjacent to Junction Motel, 509 S Whitcomb Ave) is a well-stocked convenience store open 24 hours. Lee Frank Mercantile (324 S Whitcomb Ave) is the local Ace Hardware affiliate stocking propane, camping gear, and tools.
Stock up before heading south. There are no stores or services between Tonasket and McLaughlin Canyon's access road.
Gas Stations
The Junction (509 S Whitcomb Ave) is the most convenient fuel stop, open 24 hours with a well-stocked mini-mart. Tonasket Food Mart (606 S Whitcomb Ave) also carries regular, midgrade, and diesel. These are the only two public pumps in town.
Gas prices in Tonasket tend to run 10 to 30 cents above the state average. Top off before exploring back roads or heading into the National Forest. The next fuel stop may be 30 miles away.
Medical Services
The nearest hospital to McLaughlin Canyon is North Valley Hospital (22 W First St, Tonasket), approximately 10 minutes from the trailhead. The facility has a 24-hour emergency room. ER phone: (509) 223-1721. General: (509) 269-2391.
For higher-level care, Mid-Valley Hospital in Omak (810 Jasmine St) is a Level 4 Trauma Center with advanced imaging and lab services. Omak is 24 miles south, a 26-minute drive on US-97.
Ambulance response times in the region average 15 to 30 minutes depending on conditions. Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
Nearby Towns
Omak (24 miles south) is the retail and medical hub for north-central Okanogan County. Larger supermarkets, more lodging options, and the Okanogan County Tourism Council (320 Omak Ave, phone: 509-826-5107, okanogancountry.com) are all based here.
Oroville (17 miles north) sits at the Canadian border. It is home to Osoyoos Lake Veterans Memorial Park and several small motels catering to cross-border travelers.
Okanogan, adjacent to Omak, is the county seat with government offices and additional services. All three towns are reachable from Tonasket in under 30 minutes.
Cell Service
Okanogan County's cell coverage is patchy. While most homes have some wireless access, only about 69% of the county's land area is covered. T-Mobile provides the strongest combined coverage and speed in Tonasket. On US-97 through town, service is generally reliable. Step off the highway into canyon country and signal drops quickly.
Download offline maps before heading to McLaughlin Canyon. Do not rely on streaming apps or cloud-based navigation in the field. For multi-day backcountry trips, consider a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon.
Seasonal Considerations
Winter: Red Apple Inn and Junction Motel stay open year-round. Campgrounds close by late October or November. Restaurant hours shrink. US-97 is plowed and sanded but ice and snow are common.
Summer (June through September): Peak season. All services at full capacity. Book lodging and campsites well in advance for July and August. Temperatures can hit 95 degrees. Check fire bans before lighting stoves or campfires.
Spring and fall: Shoulder seasons offer lower crowds and mild temperatures. Campgrounds typically open in May and close by mid-October. Wildflowers bloom April and May; aspen turns gold in September.
Tourism Resources
The Okanogan County Tourism Council (320 Omak Ave, Omak) distributes travel planners, hiking and fishing guides, and current area maps. Call (509) 826-5107 or toll-free (888) 431-3080, or visit okanogancountry.com. Staff can advise on road closures, wildflower timing, and current fire conditions.
Many Tonasket businesses keep tourism brochures at their front desks. The Tonasket Public Library (209 S Whitcomb Ave) provides free wifi and printed maps.