north cascade smokejumper base

jacky_northants

Amazed to find this place offering free tours, with no appointment required - just arrive and they find someone to walk you around. Fascinating insights into the life of some courageous people... we had Fidel, then JT - both very good guides. We were even taken inside the airplane they jump out of. A very interesting visit - many thanks.

ST438

I had no idea what this experience was going to be like but we saw it on the map and decided to go check it out. I am so glad we did. Fidel was great at explaining what they did and how they did it and answered all of our questions.I had no idea what a smoke jumper was but I do now and am so thankful to these men and women for what they do.Great tour and amazingly at no charge.Take the time to go and learn about what these brave men and women do fighting fires to save our forests and the communities around us.

753yvonnew

We stayed at Pearrygin Lake when we noticed, that in this area is a Smokejumper Base. So one day we stopped by and asked if it might or might not be too busy for getting a tour. We got invited and were shown around their facilities and explained to us daily business and their work during fires. It was sooooo intersting and one can learn a lot about Smokejumpers. We also were allowed to board their airplane. It was a very nice tour, everyone was inviting and friendly. We highly recommend this "attraction". Thanks a lot for your time!!! And stay safe!

BarbaraMD59

My husband and I visited this place in late July right after the terrible forest fires had devasted areas east of Winthrop. We thought they would be too busy for us to have a tour, but they were very gracious about showing us around and telling us about how they do their jobs. As we were driving along the Methow Valley to the base, we even saw some of the smokejumpers practicing their skills by jumping from an airplane. These people do a great job and the Winthrop base is where the smokejumper program started in the 1930s. We highly recommend a visit.

pktraveler09

Jeremy gave us a very in-depth tour of the facility. Smoke jumpers are an amazing group of hard working men and women. Thanks for all you do.Patti & Keith

CuttingLooseAgain

This is really worth a visit, It's really interesting and eye opening. It all started here folks! It's a very casual tour, and really interesting especially around fire season ( if they aren't too busy fighting fires to give you a look around) my hats off to these folks.

941maryc

If you saw the movie Always, this reminded me of it. We were there when they weren't fighting fires, so we waited for our tour guide, got a whole tour of the facilities, equipment and got a feel for what these great people do for the community. You will have a new respect for what they do!

KRAMA200

A Good Free Education if you have time in MethowValley.The Smoke Jumpers Base is three miles drive from Cntre of Winthrop .One Of the Smoke Jumpers is there during Summer to take you on a guided tour.The Base is open till5PM and it would be prudent to check.At the base you will know about the history of Smoke Jumping and how they help in controlling the fire.Frankly none of us knew what is smoke jumping before we visited the base.This is one of the Nine Bases in the country.The children would love the tour and the visit to the Small Aircraft.

SandyM110

The men and women SMOKEJUMPERS give a well guided tour about the beginning of Smokejumping and the current operations. This Smokejumper base is where smokejumping started. TAKE A TOUR

moley99

Good choice for the whole family if in the Methow. Call ahead to be sure there will be someone there to guide the tour.

lunarlib

We made our way on county road to find the base. There are signs to help guide you, but it is not on the main road. A smoke-jumper gives you a personal tour of all the equipment, buildings, even into the plane that they use. I thought it was an interesting side trip into a lesser known career and region. There were fires south of this base, so they were able to talk about the fire suppression techniques used that very week.

MaxJ660

This place is amazing. It is the first smoke jumper base in the US and probably the world. It is totally accessible and during fire season - there are tours given by jumpers while the base is open. The off-season is hit and miss for tours. You should call ahead.

hpcle

This is where the smokejumpers got started. Our guide was actually a fill-in from another area, "holding down the fort" while everyone else was out fighting fires. He showed us the equipment and the aircraft they use, explaining how the service came into being and how things have changed over the years. He had plenty of stories to tell about how the jumps are supposed to go and what can go wrong - from the jumper getting hung up in a tree, to what happens if the parachute on a supply carton doesn't open properly. We'd love to have had more time to talk.

PaulH884

A must see in the Methow Valley. These guys (and now gals) are the real deal. Tough and trained. The very beginning of the smoke jumpers.

dwillend

This is a short, but very interesting tour. The smokejumper guide was very nice and informative. This is a very unique type of job and very interesting to learn about. I highly recommend it.