Major city · United States
Pateros
Spend a half‑day at Alta Lake State Park (2–3 h), stay one night at Alta Lake Golf Resort or Lake Pateros Motor Inn; total 1–2 days needed.
Pateros is a tiny town in the North Central Cascades. Its main draw is Alta Lake State Park with outdoor recreation, plus a few eateries and modest lodging. One full day covers the park; an extra night lets you relax by the lake.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Nov–Mar (park closed)
- Airport
- OMK
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Pateros911 ▾
- 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 Pateros, 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
- SafetyPateros is low‑traffic and generally safe; standard U.S. precautions apply, especially after dark in isolated areas.
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.
- AirportOMK Omak Airport (about 30 km (19 mi) north, limited service).OMK Omak Airport (about 19 mi (30 km) north, limited service).
- Getting aroundUse Okanogan County Transit (Trango) buses to Okanogan and Twisp; driving is easiest for the park and nearby towns.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at bakery$2–3
- Street or quick mealSandwich at SweetRiver Bakery$5–8
- Metro or bus rideBus fare (Okanogan County Transit)check$8–10
- Budget bedLake Pateros Motor Inn standard room, a night, per personUS$55
- Mid-range bedLake Pateros Motor Inn standard room, a night, per personUS$70
- High-end bedLake Pateros Motor Inn standard room, a night, per personUS$90
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$55 · Mid US$85 · High US$130
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
- OMK Omak Airport (about 30 km (19 mi) north, limited service)OMK Omak Airport (about 19 mi (30 km) north, limited service)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pateros: 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
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
12 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
10 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
9 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
12 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
13 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
Use Okanogan County Transit (Trango) buses to Okanogan and Twisp; driving is easiest for the park and nearby towns.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Oroville
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
North Cascade Loop, US‑97 north, about 30 km (19 mi)North Cascade Loop, US‑97 north, about 19 mi (30 km)
Small historic town on the Okanogan River.
Wenatchee
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
South on US‑97, about 70 km (43 mi)South on US‑97, about 43 mi (70 km)
Larger town with shops and riverfront.
Chelan
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h 30 min
South via US‑97 and WA‑150, about 90 km (56 mi)South via US‑97 and WA‑150, about 56 mi (90 km)
Seasonal traffic; check road conditions.
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.
Alta Lake Golf Resort
Rooms $60/70/85 (Singles/Doubles/Kitchenettes)
Lake Pateros Motor Inn
Basic rooms, price check
Howards on the River
Lakeshore inn, price check
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
- $55–80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $85–110 excl. bed
- High
- $130+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Alta Lake Golf Resort single room2 × 1 night × US$70 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$85 | US$170 |
| Discover Pass for park parking2 × US$10 · check | US$20 |
| Okanogan County Transit fare (round trip)2 × US$8 · check | US$16 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$35 |
| Trip total≈ US$191 per person per day, bed included | US$381 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at bakery | $2–3 |
| Sandwich at SweetRiver Bakery | $5–8 |
| Discover Pass (park parking) | $10 per day |
| Bus fare (Okanogan County Transit)check | $8–10 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Alta Lake State Park requires a Discover Pass ($10/day, $45/year).
- Services in town are limited; bring supplies if staying late.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Fire / Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
PaterosPateros
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Embassy
US citizens need no visa for short visits; see /united-states/visa-requirements.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Trango bus Pateros → Okanogan: about $8 one way (check)
- Alta Lake Golf Resort room: $60–85 per night, single/double/kitchenette
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
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 Pateros. 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: Apr–Oct · avoid Nov–Mar (park closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 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 Pateros
Loading…
Was this useful?