Discover the Methow Valley: Your Destination for Relaxation and Adventure at Our Resort and Wellness Center
Each year, nearly one million visitors flock to the Methow Valley to experience its sunshine, snow, and rustic appeal.
Our cabins are ideally situated on the ski trail, close to the Winthrop Ski and Hockey Rink, and just a scenic 10-minute stroll from downtown Winthrop, known for its abundance of shops and restaurants with a Western flair.
Summer in the Methow
For summer visitors, the Methow Valley boasts thousands of miles of hiking and running trails suitable for all ages and skill levels.
Stretching approximately 70 miles from the Cascades to the Columbia River and averaging about two miles in width, the valley is widest in Winthrop, where the Methow and Chewuch Rivers converge.
Kick off the summer with exciting trail running events like the Sunflower Relay, which celebrates the blooming of our arrowleaf balsam sunflowers.
The Cutthroat Classic, an 11-mile singletrack trail run that follows the Pacific Crest Trail through the stunning North Cascades, is the season’s final running event late summer.
Discover scenic riverside walks, vibrant meadows brimming with wildflowers and breathtaking views of the North Cascades.
Embark on various day hikes in the Pasayten Wilderness, Sawtooth Mountains, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Pearrygin Lake State Park or North Cascades National Park. After a day of adventure, return to your tranquil and comfortable private retreat..
Winter in the Methow
With over 130 miles of groomed Nordic ski trails—more than any other location in the Americas—there’s something for everyone. Choose from gentle valley trails with family-friendly loops, long-distance routes like the Community Trail from Winthrop to Mazame, or challenging climbs for seasoned athletes in Sun Mountain and Rendevouz trail systems.
The Nordic ski skating technique allows skiers to glide quickly across the corduroy-like groomed trails. Classic cross-country skiing in the set grooves is beginner-friendly, and ideal for learning and enjoying the snow.
In addition to the world-famous Nordic ski activities of the Methow, we have hockey and rink skating, fat tire snow biking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, downhill skiing at the Loup Loup family-friendly ski slope, and back-country telemark or randonnée skiing underneath the Liberty Bell Spire. The races of the Methow, for both regular and Paralympic skiiers include the Race of the Methow, the Chasing the Sun Rece and Clinic, the Ski Rodeo and the Try Biathlon events.
Planning Your Trip
Whether organizing a personal retreat or vacation, reunion, small informal wedding, or family gathering, Sunflower Resort is the perfect choice. Bring along your furry family members, as our cabins are pet-friendly. Currently, five cabins are available for short-term rentals, with two more set to open by mid-2025.
If you're planning a stay, let us know how we can assist you in finding services to enhance your experience.
Sunflower Resort in the Methow Valley Ecosystem
Nestled between the charming towns of Mazama and Twisp, Sunflower Resort’s prime location in downtown Winthrop allows for easy access to both towns in under 20 minutes.
If you appreciate shrub-steppe landscapes—characterized by silvery blue bunch grasses, vibrant purple lupine, and resilient shrubs like bitterbrush and sagebrush—Sunflower Resort is ideally positioned. Winthrop boasts the widest section of the valley, where the shrub-steppe is most spectacular and easily accessible, along with preserved wilderness areas.
The Methow Valley, located at the northwest edge of the steppe, receives about 15 inches of precipitation annually, roughly 5 inches more than the Great Basin in Nevada, California, and Utah. This extra moisture supports a diverse array of flowering shrubs and stands of ponderosa pine. While much of eastern Washington's shrub-steppe has been converted to agriculture, over 60% of the original steppe remains intact in the Methow Valley thanks to its rugged terrain.
Discover beautiful hikes through this unique ecosystem at locations like Reiser Lakes, Lewis Butte, and the trails surrounding Sun Mountain and Pearrygin Lake State Park.
North Cascade Region Ecosystem
To reach Winthrop from the North Puget Sound area, travelers are fortunate to take the breathtaking North Cascades Scenic Highway, part of the Cascade Loop. This stunning route features jagged peaks, cascading waterfalls, and over 300 glaciers within North Cascades National Park.
Highway 20, also known as the North Cascades Scenic Highway, is a designated byway that showcases the iconic Liberty Bell and Early Winters spires.
As you descend from Washington Pass, the headwaters of the Methow River reveal lush landscapes adorned with thick ponderosa pine forests and expansive cottonwood groves on the valley floor. Impressively, 90% of the valley’s biodiverse watershed is publicly owned and managed, offering wide-open spaces and breathtaking natural beauty.
About Us
Michael and Dr. Sierra founded the Methow Valley Wellness Center in 1997, and opened Sunflower Resort in 2024..
Sierra began practicing holistic medicine shortly after moving from Seattle, establishing the Methow Valley Wellness Center, the valley's longest-tenured healthcare practice.
Over three decades, Michael has built numerous structures, including houses, studios, a boutique hotel, the Wellness Center, a treehouse, and a custom yurt. He enjoys consulting with novice builders and DIY enthusiasts looking to create their own homes in the valley.
Together, Michael and Sierra combined their skills to bring their vision to life, starting with the Methow Valley Wellness Center and later the Sunflower Resort. They designed these spaces for guests to relax, heal, and unwind from life’s stresses, always eager to share their favorite local spots and wellness experiences.
Their modern, dog-friendly homes are conveniently located near the launch point for winter and summer activities. Guests can also unwind with a massage or facial, enjoy local dining, take a yoga class, or attend the monthly sound bath, all while surrounded by the serene oasis of the Sunflower Resort, just a 10-minute walk from Winthrop's historic downtown.
Older children will love walking across the pedestrian-only suspension bridge to the Sweet Shoppe. Alternatively, guests can use the time to prepare a meal in their cabin's well-stocked kitchen or relax on their private back deck.
Above all, make the Sunflower Resort your home-away-from-home destination. We are local, on-site daily, and will always try to make your visit special.
Sierra and Michael