Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 14, 2026

Twisp River

The Twisp River is a tributary of the Methow River, in the U.S. state of Washington. It is about 26 miles (42 km) long. The name of the river comes from the Okanagan placename [txwə́c’p], perhaps meaning "wasp" or "yellowjacket".

Last revised
Jun 14, 2026
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≈ 1 min
Length
302 w
Citations
8
Source
Twisp River
Location of the mouth of the Twisp River in Washington
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Twisp River (the United States)
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Location
CountryUnited States
StateWashington
CountyOkanogan
Physical characteristics
SourceCascade Range
 • coordinates48°27′47″N 120°36′4″W / 48.46306°N 120.60111°W / 48.46306; -120.601111
MouthMethow River
 • coordinates
48°22′6″N 120°7′6″W / 48.36833°N 120.11833°W / 48.36833; -120.118331
 • elevation
1,575 ft (480 m)1
Length26 mi (42 km)1

The Twisp River is a tributary of the Methow River, in the U.S. state of Washington. It is about 26 miles (42 km) long.1 The name of the river comes from the Okanagan placename [txwə́c’p],2 perhaps meaning "wasp" or "yellowjacket".3

Course

The Twisp River originates in the North Cascades portion of the Cascade Range. Flowing generally east, the Twisp River drains the mountains south of Washington Pass as well as the eastern slopes of Sawtooth Ridge, a major mountain range with some of Washington state's highest peaks (such as Star Peak and Mt Bigelow).

The Twisp River flows into the Methow River at the town of Twisp, Washington.

Trivia

A Japanese incendiary balloon was reported on the Twisp River in 1945.4

Tributaries

(In order of Source to Mouth)

  • North Fork Twisp River
  • South Fork Twisp River

Left

  • North Creek
  • Scatter Creek
  • Whistling Creek
  • Little Slate Creek
  • Cook Creek
  • lime Creek
  • Canyon Creek
  • Bridge Creek
  • Coal Creek
  • Myer Creek
  • South Creek
  • Reynolds Creek
  • Williams Creek
  • War Creek
  • Eagle Creek
  • Scaffold Creek
  • Buttermilk Creek
  • Newby Creek
  • Poorman Creek
See also

See also

References

References

  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Twisp River
  2. Bright, William (2004). Native American Placenames of the United States. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 528. ISBN 978-0-8061-3598-4.
  3. Majors, Harry M. (1975). Exploring Washington. Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-918664-00-6.
  4. Majors, Harry M. (1975). Exploring Washington. Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 42. ISBN 978-0-918664-00-6.