Originally home to the Yakima Native Americans and a stopping point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Yakima, Washington, is rich in history and culture. Today, Yakima has a population of about 97,000 people. The area is known for its stunning natural scenery and lively downtown area. Many people flock to Yakima to explore its beautiful landscape and the abundance of recreational activity opportunities. Visitors will find many options for nearby hiking, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, camping, swimming, fishing, and boating.
Yakima and the surrounding area are well-known for their prolific apple crops, and many visitors choose to spend a day enjoying one of the city’s orchards, such as Johnson’s Orchards, or sampling apple products. Visitors interested in cooking, dining, or the area’s agricultural influence can also visit the Yakima Farmers’ Market, which showcases some of the city’s best produce and handmade goods. The nearby Cowiche Canyon Trail and the Yakima Area Arboretum & Botanical Garden also make excellent stops for anyone who enjoys exploring outdoor attractions. Many people also choose to stroll or bike along the Yakima Greenway, a paved path that stretches for about 20 miles through the city and connects several of the area’s most beloved natural attractions.
The Yakima area also offers plenty of options for fine dining and indoor entertainment. The Yakima Valley Museum is a fantastic place to learn more about the city’s history, as well as the history and culture of the people who once inhabited the area. Visitors can also take in a show at the Capitol Theater or enjoy a light meal and a wine tasting at Kana Winery.
Campgrounds Near Yakima, Washington
Many visitors to Yakima opt to camp at Yakima Sportsman State Park. The park offers 67 RV sites, and full hookups are available. Camping starts at $25 per night and ranges to $45 per night. Visitors will have access to an on-site playground, and there are also plenty of nearby hiking trails.
The Trailer Inns RV Park of Yakima is another great option for RV camping. The park is designed for large trailers, so even the biggest RVs can be accommodated. Each campsite has a small lawn and shaded area, and many sites have picnic tables. There are 135 sites, and rates start at just $32 per night. Full hookups are available, and the park also offers showers, a playground, and a laundry area.
The Windy Point Campground in Naches is a splendid option for anyone looking for a quieter, more secluded camping experience. Each of the 12 RV sites at the campground offers shady oak trees and picnic tables. Daily rates start at only $14, and although hookups are not available, potable water is.
State Parks Near Yakima, Washington
Located along the Wanapum Reservoir, Wanapum State Park offers activities for everyone to enjoy. Fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming are some of the most popular options, but there are also many opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, or observing and photographing wildlife. The park also provides an Interpretive Center where visitors can learn more about the area’s geology and history. Wanapum State Park is about an hour from Yakima.
Brooks Memorial State Park is also about an hour from Yakima. This state park offers incredible views and many photo opportunities on its 682 acres. Cabins are sprinkled throughout the park, so visitors can choose to camp almost anywhere they like. There are also many options for hiking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. The area is also home to a thriving bird population, making it a great choice for birdwatching enthusiasts. Other wild animals, such as beavers, deer, and squirrels, are also commonly spotted by visitors.
About an hour and a half northwest of Yakima, visitors will find Lake Easton State Park. The park offers 6.5 miles of hiking trails and 6 miles of biking trails. A beach provides opportunities for swimming and boating, and the park’s playground is a perfect place for families to enjoy some downtime or have a picnic. During the winter, the park is still beautiful, and visitors can snowshoe, cross-country ski, or snowmobile. The area is also frequented by visitors during the spring and fall months. In the spring, wildflowers are abundant, and the fall foliage is breathtaking.
National Sites Near Yakima, Washington
The Lake Chelan National Recreation Area is part of North Cascades National Park, but it offers different opportunities and is generally considered to be more secluded. In fact, this location is one of the most remote within the continental United States. Visitors to the recreation area will need to ride in on a plane or boat, but once there, they’ll be able to explore exceptional hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing, and swimming opportunities. Visitors can also enjoy some time at the small nearby community of Stehekin.
Located in Northeast Washington, Roosevelt National Recreation Area was created around Lake Roosevelt and the Grand Coulee Dam. The area is a fantastic place for water activities, swimming, fishing, and boating. Visitors can also take advantage of the recreation area’s many trails for hiking and mountain biking. History buffs will also find plenty to enjoy, as the area offers information about the local Native American tribes and cultures, the area’s history, and the dam’s construction.
For a mix of history and outdoor adventure, visitors to Yakima can venture to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The park explores the tumultuous Klondike Gold Rush period, during which about 25,000 people traveled from Seattle and other areas to Alaska to strike it rich. The park’s headquarters are in Skagway, Alaska, but the park itself is split into four parts, each of which is located in a location that played a key role in the gold rush.
National Forests Near Yakima, Washington
Located in southern Washington, Gifford Pinchot National Forest is rugged and secluded, making it an ideal location for a quiet, peaceful getaway. The forest spans about 1.32 million acres, and in addition to deep old-growth conifer woods, visitors can also explore glaciers and volcanic peaks. These peaks include Mount St. Helens. Fishing is extremely popular in the area, and the forest offers some of the best angling opportunities in the state. Visitors can also hike through the forest, and there are many opportunities for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts, as the forest is home to many animal species, including endangered owls.
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest starts at the Canadian border and runs for 180 miles. Because it’s so large, the forest is home to a diverse range of landscapes, ecosystems, plants, and animals. This also means that there are hundreds of options for exploring or recreational activities. Visitors can stop at the Panorama of Enchantments, which, as the name suggests, is a 120-degree view of several peaks, including Dragontail Peak and Witches Tower. The area also offers many hiking opportunities, varying in difficulty from gentle to challenging. There are, in total, about 1,300 miles of trails, but visitors can also bike, rock climb, horseback ride, fish, or camp.
One of the most picturesque forests in Washington is the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Easily accessible from either Seattle, North Cascades National Park or Mount Rainier National Park, the forest is a popular one with visitors. This popularity is also due to the area’s 1,500 miles of pristine hiking trails, 200 glaciers, 10 wilderness areas, and a multitude of rivers and lakes, all of which offer spectacular fishing opportunities. Visitors to the forest can indulge in different activities throughout the seasons. For example, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are common activities during the winter months, and swimming or kayaking are frequent favorites in the summer.
