Ashford, WA

Ashford is a tiny mountain community tucked into the dense evergreen woods along the Nisqually River. Located just six miles from the Nisqually Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, it serves as a year-round home base for hikers, climbers, and outdoor lovers. With only a few hundred full-time residents, the area has a peaceful feel where towering fir trees and fresh mountain air define everyday living.

ATTRSteven Pavlov / CC BY-SA 4.0

State Route 706 runs straight through the valley, lined with rustic cabins, cozy cafes, general stores, and local guide services. Daily life naturally shifts with the seasons, moving between quiet, snowy winters and energetic summer weekends full of visitors heading up toward Paradise. For anyone looking to relocate, Ashford offers authentic mountain seclusion with some of Washington's best wilderness right in your backyard.