By the 1700s, Psch-wan-wap-pams, a band of Yakima Native Americans, were grazing horses in the Upper Yakima Valley. The valley was one of the few places where the tribe could dig roots in the spring; they usually came back in the fall to hunt and fish. Explore some of these natural areas by visiting some of the city's 20 parks.
In July of 1848, Father Charles Pandosy built a Catholic mission where Ellensburg would eventually reside while attempting to convert the Native Americans to Christianity. While unsuccessful in his attempt, he became one of the first people to become a priest after Washington became a state.
As early as the 1850s, ranchers were raising cattle in the area. Cowboys often herded the cattle to Seattle or British Columbia after they reached a certain weight. There was an overabundance of cattle in the region by 1861, so ranchers built some of the first fences in the United States to contain them. You may want to try some of the locally raised beef at Buzz Inn Steakhouse, Oyama Japanese Steak House, or The Porch.
In 1870, A.J. Splawn and Ben Burch opened a fur-and-horse-trading business that they called Robbers Roost. Most of the initial customers were Native Americans. From 1870 to 1889, the town quickly grew, thanks to various articles written in prominent newspapers about this community. You can discover many of the charming aspects of this community for yourself when you shop with local merchants, like Fitterer's Furniture, which has been in business since 1896, and Jerrol's Department store, which opened in 1947.
On July 4, 1889, a devastating fire destroyed 10 blocks and over 200 homes. Had this not occurred, voters may have made this city the capital of Washington, but on November 4, 1890, they voted to give Olympia that designation. The worldwide financial panic of 1891 and 1892 dealt this city another blow as the local bank failed, with depositors getting less than 10% of their savings back. Good news finally came to the town when Washington Governor Ferry made it the home of Washington State Normal School. That college eventually became Central Washington University, and it's still the heartbeat of this community of 20,000 people.
Jazz in the Valley – This three-day festival held annually in July features jazz musicians at various downtown establishments.
Ellensburg Rodeo and Kittitas County Fair – See top rodeo athletes perform during the Ellensburg Rodeo, which has been a yearly event for over 100 years, and enjoy seeing livestock, learning new crafts, riding thrill rides, and eating fair food at this September festival.
Buskers in the Burg – See puppets and various street entertainers perform in a parade and throughout the downtown area at this September festival.
Mount Rainier National Park covers over 368 square miles, but most of that is wilderness. Start your visit at the Paradise Visitors Center to get the latest park information and enjoy the stunning views of Washington's tallest mountain from this location. The 1.2-mile-long Myrtle Falls Trail offers some of the park's most scenic views. Reflection Lake is ideal for taking family photos, especially if the wind is not blowing because the mountain reflects in the lake.
North Cascade National Park is a great spot to go hiking. Take the looped trail to see the Gorge Creek Waterfall and splash in the water as you follow the Blue Lake Trail through subalpine forests and meadows. You'll also want to see the turquoise-colored water in Ross Lake. End your visit by driving along the North Cascade Highway to see stunning views of this park's remote areas.
Olympic National Park is an extremely diverse location. Hike through the Hoh Rain Forest and see the water gently lapping at huge boulders by visiting Ruby Beach and Rialto Beach. Hike under tall red cedar trees to see Sol Dac Falls.
Wanapum State Park is home to the Ginkgo Petrified Forest Interpretive Center where you can learn more about petrified wood, which is the state gemstone of Washington. Then, drive to the trailside museum to learn even more. Hike the Trees of Stone Interpretive Trail to see 20 examples of petrified wood in their natural surroundings.
Wenatchee Confluence State Park is a fantastic place to go for a hike. Stroll across the pedestrian bridge and you'll be in the Horan Natural Area, which is an ideal place to view wildlife. There's a boat launch onto the Columbia River, and designated swimming areas are nearby.
Lake Easton State Park is a location that anglers adore visiting. There are over 270,000 feet of shoreline to fish from when you stop at this park near Cle Ellum. It's also a favorite with many families because of the shallow water near the swimming beach and the well-maintained playground.
One unique photo opportunity that should not be missed when visiting Ellensburg is having your picture taken with the concrete bull sitting on a bench outside the Rotary Pavilion. Richard Beyer created the bull installed in 1986. Washington state itself is home to many more landmarks, including waterfalls, parks, and the Space Needle if you're planning to explore more of the state.
Yakima is about 40 miles south of Ellensburg, and you can find many great Yakima campgrounds. Yakima Sportsman State Park provides access to the Yakima River, which is a fine option if you're looking to do some fishing and boating. Windy Point Campground lies along the Teton River in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This campground is often frequented by people who love hiking, while the Teton River is a great place to go whitewater rafting. Golfers may want to consider the RV park at Suntides Golf Course.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Ellensburg, WA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Ellensburg?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Ellensburg from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Ellensburg?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
