My first national

That’s pretty funny. Thunder Valley is basically one of the best for viewing the whole track and Washougal is one of the worst, though the place is beautiful. Judging by viewing alone, you can plant a seat up on the hill at Thunder Valley and pretty much see the entire track. 

TV is good for viewing if you are willing and able to walk around a little.  The hills, elevation, strong sun and dry air can beat you up a little if you are coming from low elevation and not in fairly decent shape.

Thunder Valley bro

This. 

Washougal is a stunning venue with all the trees...there is even a bike stashed high up in a tree. Spectators don't see much except for the area they are standing in.  

I have always wanted to go there but this is the reason I never went. TV is 1000 times better.

I loved Steel City for viewing because you could see almost all of the tracks racing.

Thunder Valley is a good viewing track hands down.

Every national I've been to was as a mechanic so I never got to see much from.being in the  mechanics area. The heat was also a bitch.

I'm getting a bit old and you can't beat a big screen TV...a porcelain toilet around the corner...the kitchen right there....everything you need and you can hit pause when you go fetch that cold beer. 

Same goes for fox raceway, unless you are up on a hill(i’ve only ever been around finish line/podium area the three times i’ve gone).

The one you can get to is the best  

 They all have their own charm.  

The other upside to Washougal is that if you get into town early enough you can watch the Thursday night race at PIR. That deal is a whole vibe on its own. 

Thunder Valley is better for viewing, hands down.  Washougal is really scenic, but you can see half the track at best from any one spot. Also, Washougal is only 2/3rds of a track.  The section after the finish line until you get back onto the start straight is pretty lame.  I don't know why they don't change that section up, make it interesting, fix the jumps, do something in that area.  

If you are flying in, another reasonably close option to consider is Spring Creek.  That track is crazy good, and viewing from the hill opposite Mount Martin is pretty solid, you can see 75% of the track from there.    

Gatorback. There is no substitute.

They both are terrific in their own ways.  What's great for a spectator at Washougal is that the fence line is close to the track on most of the track.  It rewards moving around, and if you do you can get close in many places.  But for sure if you camp out in one spot for the whole day and don't get a prime spot on the hill the track will hide from you.

Washougal has a lot of trees so as others have said you have a hard seeing more than a few corners at once. If you don’t mind walking around though it’s definitely the most scenic track on the calendar

Agreed, I've been many times.  You can hang out by the rollers for awhile and marvel at how much faster they go in person vs tv, then hang out on the hill and see most of the track.  I had a 10 minute convo with Tyla Rattray there his first time over on a ktm.  He had crashed in practice, out for the day.

Has anyone done the VIP experience? Considering it for Washougal. 

Been to both Thunder Valley and Washougal, and like others have said, Thunder Valley is really good for viewing the whole track, but Washougal is really scenic. One thing that TV doesn't quite capture is just how much elevation change there is and how steep some of the hills are. Also, there's sections where you can get so close to the track you can almost touch the riders. Don't need to show up early to get a trackside view, just be patient and people will filter in and out pretty frequently. Also, the year I went to Washougal, the traffic to get to the track was horrendous. We left early to go watch qualifying and barely had enough time to get set up before the drop of the first moto. The regulars told me it'd never been that bad before, but still might want to keep that in mind.

I’ve been to both, I’d rather hang out at Shougal for sure.
But either will be lots of fun

I say Thunder Valley, great views from everywhere and it's in the city.

If you go to thunder valley shoot me a dm the week before. 

This hurts my heart to say as I’m originally from Washington but Thunder valley is the best if you’re looking to get your moneys worth for seeing the race. If you burn easily, bring an umbrella or wear a big ass sun hat. Theres almost zero shade. 

If your seeing this as more of a vacation and throwing the race in as part of it.. then its washougal. Can’t beat the beautiful scenery that is Washington. The drive up to the track is probably best on the circuit. 

There's a really cool looking creek at washougal I seen poto drinking beer in...

Im from Alberta as well. Ive been to several washougal races going back to 1988. Always enjoyed it. The only other big outdoor race I've spectated at was mxgp at Glen Helen in 1990 and 2015. Yes u can't see a whole lot of the washougal track but I wander around all day . However I do make a point of spending a good portion of the day sitting on the edge of horsepower hill. You won't be disappointed. 

Thunder valley has great viewing of pretty much the whole track.  If you like to plop down get comfy and see all the action that's the place.  

Washougal is great if you like to walk around and be right next to the track and action.  But there aren't many spots to see the majority of the track.  The crowd gets pretty fired up at washougal though when the racing is good.  

When I went we parked in a pull out and drank beer in the creek until the traffic died down after the race 😂 To echo what others have said, Washougal is rural on a winding road and the traffic is horrendous. Hours of bumper to bumper to get in. Thunder Valley is right off I70. Just something to keep in mind when planning!

Those are a couple of the only Nationals I’ve never been to. Washiugal is at the top of my list. For the scenery and the history. When I’m at a National, I don’t need to see the other side of the track from 500’ away. I’m going to watch it back on TV anyway. 

Have also done both (Thunder Valley once, Washougal 8 times) and for overall experience, Washougal by a landslide: No freeway nor high tension wires visible plus no shade versus a great beer garden, plenty of shade, extreme beauty plus the scenic Washougal River where D.B. Cooper parachuted into (the only unsolved case in the history of commercial air piracy).

I’m with you on that. Been going to Nationals since the early 70’s and my go to for viewing is get as close to the track as possible and watch the riders hit the area right in front of me. Take a walk and do the same thing in another section. I’ve never been interested in staying in one spot and watching the riders 300 yards away from me. The best part of outdoors is you get to be extremely close to the action of that’s what you choose. Can’t wait for Pala this weekend