Okanogan sits at the centre of a region where every direction offers something worth a day's drive. Omak, just eight miles across the river, is the larger neighbouring town and hosts the Omak Stampede, a major rodeo event held each August that draws the whole county. Tonasket, 20 miles north on US-97, sits in the middle of the orchard country and is a base for exploring the upper valley. Oroville, at the Canadian border, is the crossing point into British Columbia's Okanagan wine country — the Canadian valley is a mirror of the American one, but covered in vineyards. Winthrop, about 45 minutes west on the North Cascades Highway, is a self-consciously western-themed town that has made tourism work where Okanogan has not bothered trying; it is a useful contrast and a good base if you want to approach the Pasayten from the Methow Valley side.