Locals Guide to Getting Outside
in the Yakima Valley

The Yakima Greenway is a paved, multi-use trail that snakes its way along the Yakima river from the town of Naches to Selah and all the way down to Union Gap at the southern end of the Valley. The more than 20-mile-long trail features several parks, fishing areas, and a playground, as well as restrooms along the way. You can also park in the lot off of 16th and highway 12 for a mid-way point. Check out yakimagreenway.org for maps, details and events. 💡 IHY WISDOM: We like to park behind McIlrath Family Farms at 10 Old Naches Hwy, Yakima, WA 98908, eat breakfast at Suntides Golf Course before heading outin either direction. If the season is right, you can pick up all the local goods for your next meal from McIlrath after your ride!

🗺️ Google Map of this general location

(📷: Caitlin Towry/Instagram)

This 3-mile-long rail trail runs along the beautiful Cowiche Creek in Yakima’s west valley. The gravel path in the canyon has several worthwhile detours along the way. To the south, a steep connector climbs to the Cowiche Uplands Trails, which offer scenic views of the Yakima Valley. To the north, a short trail leads to the Wilridge Winery Tasting Room (and we all know wine is the best recovery drink!). Parking for the east-end trailhead is at the end of Cowiche Canyon Road. Learn more about Cowiche Canyon here where you’ll find maps, events, and information about the conservancy.

💡 IHY WISDOM: See the CCC website for a word about wildlfe: CCC lands are home to animals that pose safety risks to humans. Cougars, bears, coyotes, and rattlesnakes have all been spotted. These animals deserve your respect. For useful information about what to do if you encounter these animals, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Living With Wildlife portion of their website.

🗺️ Google Map of this general location

(📷: Jonathan Shipley/Instagram)

Just across the road from the Cowiche Uplands Trails is the Rocky Top trail system. Located on a hillside behind Anderson Gravel, these trails offer slightly more challenging (steeper) terrain with beautiful views and gorgeous wildflowers in the spring. The Cowiche Canyon Conservancy website has additional information about this area as well as trail condition information.

💡 IHY WISDOM: Bring your pup on the trail. The rules are simple: clean up after them and have them on leash at busy trail heads. Read more here.

🗺️ Google Map of this general location

(📷: Kemper Brightman)

This easy hike parallels the Tieton river for 3.5 miles and features beautiful views of the Tieton valley and its namesake river. The Tieton valley is popular with rock climbers, so don’t be surprised if you see some of them on the adjacent rock formations. The trailhead is about 20 minutes from downtown Yakima and starts directly across from the Oak Creek Wildlife Center. We highly recommend stopping at Bron Yr Aur Brewing Co. for some “recovery” pizza and beer on your way back to town.

💡 IHY WISDOM: Washington Trails Association has additional about this trail and during the winter, head over to Oak Creek Wildlife Center to check out “the supplemental winter feeding of the Yakima elk herd – up to 1,200 animals, including 90 branched-antlered bulls.”

🗺️ Google Map of this general location

(📷: Kemper Brightman)

If you only have an hour and need a good workout with a rewarding view, you’ll want to check out the Ahtanum Ridge trail. The trail starts on a gravel pathway adjacent to the Central Washington Museum of Agriculture and steeply climbs the Ahtanum Ridge to its crest, gaining nearly 600ft in just under a mile. Beautiful 360-degree views of the Yakima Valley are a great reward for the effort.

💡 IHY WISDOM: If you need another reward, we highly recommend the shakes at Pepp’rmint Stick in Union Gap.

🗺️ Google Map of this general location (the trail head is behind the Central Washington Agricultural Museum)

(📷: @fonzepantz/Instagram)

If you’ve driven through downtown Yakima, you’ve probably realized our definition of “skyline” isn’t so much about the tall buildings as it is about the surrounding valleys, rivers, and shrub-steppe hills. The Yakima Skyline Trail is a great way to see exactly what we mean. On clear days you’ll be able to see Mt Adams and Mt Rainer, the Yakima River valley, and the small town of Selah just by turning around a few degrees.

💡 IHY WISDOM: Be aware that this is a steep hike with little to no shade along the way, so make sure you have water and sunscreen. Washington Trails Association has maps, trip reports and more information on this route.

🗺️ Google Map of this general location

(📷: Jim Randolph/Instagram)

Road bikers will find plenty of interesting paved on- and off-road riding in the Yakima area. For cyclists looking to limit interactions with cars, the Yakima Greenway is the place. The 20+ mile long trail is entirely off-road (other than a well-protected highway crossing) and is optimized for cyclists. There are many places to park and access the Yakima Greenway, allowing for varied length out-and back rides. has all the info on the path.

💡 IHY WISDOM: We like to park behind McIlrath Family Farms at 10 Old Naches Hwy, Yakima, WA 98908, eat breakfast at Suntides Golf Course before heading out, and then head out in either direction. If the season is right, you can pick up all the local goods for your next meal from McIlrath after your ride!

🗺️ Google Map of this general location

(📷: @caittowry/Instagram)

For a uniquely Yakima ride, we highly recommend parking at Bale Breaker and riding a loop through the endless hop fields of the lower valley. At the end of your ride, savor a beer made with the same hops that surround you. Other popular rides start on either end of the valley in the towns of Naches, Moxee, and Tieton.

💡 IHY WISDOM: Check in with our friends at The Bearded Monkey or Revolution Cycles for local info on favorite rides and any gear you might need to get out there.]

🗺️ Google Map of this general location

(📷: Mighty Tieton/Instagram)

The Yakima River Canyon is a stunning road that follows the meandering Yakima river between the towns of Ellensburg and Selah. The ride is iconic, but unfortunately the narrow 25-mile road does not feature a consistent bike-lane or shoulder. Generally, motorists are friendly and understanding, however we still recommend avoiding summer weekends when the canyon sees the most traffic.

💡 IHY WISDOM: For a completely traffic-free ride, check out the Your Canyon For a Day bike ride which is put on as a fundraiser for the Yakima County Crime Stoppers.

🗺️ Google Map of this general location

(📷: Jon Urlie/Instagram)

Located behind the Anderson Gravel Pit, the Rocky Top trail system is Yakima’s primary purpose-built mountain bike network. The trails feature switch-backing climbs and hand-built trails for descending. The terrain ranges from easy to intermediate, and at nearly 20 miles of trail and 1000 feet elevation gain, it’s easy to get a full value workout in.

💡 IHY WISDOM: Single Track Alliance has more information on the trails and conditions.

🗺️ Google Map of this general location

(📷: Kemper Brightman)

This trail network features long, mostly flat cross-country riding on the mesa above the Cowiche Canyon trail. These trails can be linked into the Rocky Top Network with a bit of route-finding and on-road riding.

💡 IHY WISDOM: Check-out Cowiche Canyon Conservancy for directions and trail maps.

🗺️ Google Map of this general location

(📷: Andrew Martin/Instagram)

The TRT is a mellow ride up the beautiful Tieton River Valley. Start at the Oak Creek Wildlife Area, cross the bridge and head south along the river for a wonderful out and back adventure.

💡 IHY WISDOM: We highly recommend stopping at Bron Yr Aur Brewing Co. for some “recovery” pizza and beer on your way back to town or Nier the Nook for whatever their daily special is.

🗺️ Google Map of this general location

(📷: Kemper Brightman)

The Yakima river has long been known amongst anglers who fly fish on this blue-ribbon trout stream (the only blue-ribbon river in the state). The size of the river means most people fish by boat, but there are many BLM campgrounds and recreation areas along the way that offer wading access as well. Red’s Fly Shop and The Ellensburg Angler are two great options for local guide services.

💡 IHY WISDOM: Red’s has a fun patio and restaurant for après-fishing.

🗺️ Google Map of this general location

(📷: Red’s Fly Shop)

A much smaller river than the Yakima, the Naches offers a more remote fishing experience for those seeking solitude. The Evening Hatch is the original guide service on this river and is a great source for local knowledge. You can fish this river in Yakima, right off a stretch of the Yakima Greenway at the end of 16th Avenue.

💡 IHY WISDOM: After fishing the Naches, you can head downtown and grab snacks and a beer at one of our favorite watering holes: The Sports Center or Bill’s Place.

🗺️ Google Map of general location

(📷: Ellensburg Angler)

Similar to the Naches in its size and remoteness, the Tieton offers a more challenging adventure on a lesser-known river. Check in with Red’s Fly Shop for information or potential guided trips.

💡 IHY WISDOM: If you go to Red’s, we like their deck and food on a hot summer day.

🗺️ Google Map of this general location

(📷: Red’s Fly Shop)

There are several stocked fishing ponds spread out throughout the valley that offer a convenient and accessible way to fish right in town. Two of our favorite ponds are right along the Greenway (see below) which means you can bike to fishing right from your door! In the city of Yakima, there are a few ponds located close in that are stocked regularly with catch-able rainbow and brown trout: Myron Lake, Rotary Lake, and Sarg Hubbard Park Pond. You can find directions to them here.

💡 IHY WISDOM: Check out the annual Kids Fish-in on the Greenway, usually happening April of each year.

🗺️ Rotary Lake and Myron Lake

(📷: @ktrevino_1998/Instagram)

Every September, the usually mild Tieton river becomes a class III rapid when the Rimrock Lake dam is released (for spawning salmon and to make room for the next year’s run-ff). Osprey Rafting camps out here through the entire month, and can help you navigate the 12 miles of fast, technical, whitewater. You can even camp out the night before!  

💡 IHY WISDOM: Additional Tieton river information and resources from Washington Recreational River Runners can be found here.

🗺️ Google Map of general location — 12 miles west of Hwy 410 junction

(📷: Shawn Gust/Yakima Herald-Republic)

No outdoor guide to the Valley can be complete without mentioning the favorite local pastime of floating the Yakima River. When the summer heat hits, everyone grabs their favorite inflatable and heads to the river. The classic 3-4 hour float starts at Umtanum and ends at Rosa. You can DIY, or hire someone like Red’s Fly Shop, Rill Adventures, or Yakima River Tubing to get you all geared up. So grab your life jacket (be safe, friends), float, cooler, and buddies, and summer is served.

💡 IHY WISDOM: If you need more inspiration, Seattle Magazine recently featured the float in their travel and outdoors section!

🗺️ A couple of launch spots: Umtanum Recreation Site (3-4hrs) or Big Horn Campground (4-5hrs)(fee required to park)

(📷: CWU Int'l/Instagram)

Perched high in the Cascades, Rimrock Lake and Clear Lake offer paddlers and motorized users a retreat amongst the trees. The crystal blue lakes hold the headwaters of the Tieton River and are the main irrigation sources for crops in the valley. Rimrock Lake is the larger of the two, but the water-level is not very consistent, making the beaches and sand bars a bit more unpredictable. Clear Lake is the smaller and tends to have a more consistent water level year round. This makes it a better option for those looking to swim, paddle, and hang out on a beach.

💡 IHY WISDOM: If you have more than a day, consider camping at one of the beautiful lake-side campgrounds, or venture deep down the surrounding forest service roads and find a private spot all to yourself. Check out Sara Washburn and MahreMade for guided tours, clinics, yoga, and more.

🗺️ Rimrock Lake & Clear Lake

(📷: Talia Kalina/Instagram)