Major city · United States
Tonasket
Skip unless you need a fuel stop on US 97 or are attending the Barter Faire. Half a day covers the main street and a lake; one night if you ski at Sitzmark.
Tonasket is a small agricultural town on US 97 in north-central Washington, 20 km south of the Canadian border. It has a grocery store, a few cafés and a ski hill 30 km east. Most travellers pass through on the way to Osoyoos or Omak; the town itself is a 30-minute stop.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep for driving and fishing; Dec–Feb for skiing
- avoid Nov (mud season, many places closed)
- Airports
- MWH · YLW
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Tonasket911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tonasket Police Department (non-emergency)509-486-2121
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tonasket, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery low crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 509-486-2121 Tonasket Police Department (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMWH Grant County International Airport (Moses Lake) (About 2 h 30 min drive; check).
- Getting aroundCar required.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (diner)$2–3
- BeerBeer (tap)$4–6
- Budget bedBasic motel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedBasic motel double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedBasic motel double room, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MWH Grant County International Airport (Moses Lake) (About 2 h 30 min drive; check) · YLW Kelowna International Airport (Canada) (About 1 h 30 min drive via Osoyoos border; check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Feb
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: May–Sep, Dec–Feb. Avoid: Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest Nov (10 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tonasket: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
9 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
7 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car required. US 97 runs north–south through town; Sitzmark and Chopaka Lake are on gravel or paved county roads. Trango bus connects Tonasket to Omak and Oroville on weekdays.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 20 min
US 97 south, about 20 min
Larger town with grocery, hardware, and the Omak Stampede in August.
Door to door: 15 min
US 97 north, about 15 min
Border town with Osoyoos Lake and a state park.
Osoyoos (Canada)
goDoor to door: 20 min
US 97 north, cross border, about 20 min
Lake resort town; bring passport.
Chopaka Lake
goDoor to door: 30 min
East on Chopaka Lake Road (gravel), about 30 min
Fly fishing for rainbow trout; BLM land, no services.
Sitzmark Ski Area
cautionDoor to door: 30 min
Havillah Road east, about 30 min
Small hill, check snow and hours before driving.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
US 97 corridor
A couple of motels near the highway; basic, no frills.
Omak
20 min south, more chain hotels and dining options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–160 excl. bed
- High
- $160+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic motel double room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Gas (full tank, about 60 L)1 × US$60 | US$60 |
| Sitzmark day pass2 × US$40 · check | US$80 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$48 |
| Trip total≈ US$264 per person per day, bed included | US$528 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (diner) | $2–3 |
| Burger and fries | $10–14 |
| Beer (tap) | $4–6 |
| Gas (per litre)check | $1.00–1.20 |
| Motel room (basic) | $70–120 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Sitzmark Ski Area hours and snow conditions vary: check Facebook before driving up.
- Barter Faire has no ATMs on site; bring cash.
- Cell service can be spotty east of town toward Chopaka Lake.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Tonasket Police Department (non-emergency)
- 509-486-2121
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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TonasketTonasket
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tonasket Police (non-emergency)509-486-2121
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Trango bus Tonasket–Omak: about $2, check schedule
- Taxi (if available): call ahead, no app service
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the gas station? — Where is the gas station?
- Do you have a menu? — Do you have a menu?
English is universal; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tonasket. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep for driving and fishing; Dec–Feb for skiing · avoid Nov (mud season, many places closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Tonasket
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