Major city · United States
Othello
Skip Othello unless you are birding the Sandhill Crane Festival in March or passing through on WA-26/WA-17. Half a day covers the refuge and a meal.
Othello is a small food-processing town on the Columbia River Plateau, best known as the gateway to the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge and the annual Sandhill Crane Festival. Most travellers use it as a quick stop between Moses Lake and the Tri-Cities or as a birding base for one night.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, little shade)
- Airports
- MWH · PSC
- Nights
- 1
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
Emergency numbers for Othello911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
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 Othello, 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
- 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.
- AirportMWH Grant County International Airport (about 30 min drive; limited commercial flights).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$70
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$160
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 (about 30 min drive; limited commercial flights) · PSC Tri-Cities Airport (Pasco) (about 45 min drive; more flight options)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Feb
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Dec (9 rain days), driest Jul (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Othello: 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
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
7 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
3 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 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 is essential. The refuge and festival sites are outside town. No public transit of note.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Columbia National Wildlife Refuge
goDoor to door: 15 min
Drive south on WA-17 about 10 min
Main birding area; best at dawn or dusk.
Moses Lake
goDoor to door: 30 min
Drive north on WA-17 about 25 min
Larger town with lake recreation and more dining.
Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland)
goDoor to door: 50 min
Drive south on WA-17 then US-395, about 45 min
Wine country and riverfront; good for a day trip.
Walla Walla
goDoor to door: 1 h 20 min
Drive east on WA-26 then US-12, about 1 h 15 min
Historic downtown and wineries; plan a full day.
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.
Downtown Othello
A few motels and inns near the highway; walkable to diners.
Along WA-26
Chain motels on the edge of town; car needed.
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
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$100 | US$100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Sandhill Crane Festival entry (some events)2 × US$25 · check | US$50 |
| Gas for a day of driving (approx 100 km)1 × US$15 | US$15 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$41 |
| Trip total≈ US$223 per person per day, bed included | US$446 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Burger and fries at a diner | $10–15 |
| Motel double room | $70–160 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $3.50–4.50 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Sandhill Crane Festival requires advance tickets for some events; book early.
- Summer temperatures can exceed 38°C (100°F); carry water.Summer temperatures can exceed 100°F (38°C); carry water.
- Refuge roads may be unpaved and dusty after dry weather.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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OthelloOthello
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The nearest consulate services are in Seattle (about 3 h drive).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Moses Lake → Othello (WA-17): about 25 min drive
- Tri-Cities → Othello (WA-17/US-395): about 45 min drive
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- Where is the refuge? — Where is the refuge? (where is the refuge)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
Othello is a small town; most services close by 21:00.
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 Othello. 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: Mar–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, little shade) · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages with verified hours for the refuge and festival.
- Eat pages with last orders and seasonal closures.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for WA-26 and WA-17.
Sources
Ask about Othello
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