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Ellensburg, Washington

Top Spots in and near Ellensburg

  • Ellensburg, Washington

    Hike Manastash Ridge

    4 mi / 1700 ft gain
    Manastash Ridge is a popular hike in Ellensburg, Washington, attracting many locals and students of Central Washington University. While attending school, I climbed the Ridge a handful of times, always with struggle. After making my resolution of 40 hikes in 2015, I decided to tackle this hike fo...
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  • Ellensburg, Washington

    Hike the Rattlesnake Dance Ridge Trail

    4.7
    2.6 mi / 1350 ft gain
    Starting at an elevation of 2050 feet and immediately off the gravel parking lot to the side of Canyon Road, begin the uphill charge on the vast, empty Rattlesnake Dance Trail. A few steps in, the tone will be set as to what you are up against.Although less than a mile and a half in distance, do ...
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  • Ellensburg, Washington

    Hike Umtanum Creek Canyon

    4.5
    3 mi / 500 ft gain
    Park your vehicle at the Umtanum Creek Canyon Recreation Area. Be aware that from mid-May to mid-September there is a $5.00 per vehicle, per day parking fee since the land is owned by Bureau of Land Management.Grab your gear and head for the swinging suspension bridge that will lead you over the ...
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  • Cle Elum, Washington

    Wenatchee Crest Trail

    6.53 mi / 712 ft gain
    Wenatchee Crest Trail is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Cashmere, Washington.
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  • Quincy, Washington

    Adventuring in the Frenchman Coulee

    5.0
    Occupying a cluster of desert canyons and mesas perched atop the cliffs overlooking the eastern bank of the mighty Columbia River, the Frenchman Coulee is a rock climber’s paradise. Featuring dozens of world-class sport and trad routes, both single- and multi-pitch, the climbing around Vantage li...
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  • Quincy, Washington

    Rock Climb 'The Sunshine Wall'

    5.0
    0.5 mi
    I had never been outdoor rock climbing before, but when I heard my school was offering a trip out to Vantage, Washington over the weekend I couldn't pass up the opportunity!Vantage, Washington is smack in the middle of Washington's two largest cities, Seattle and Spokane. With its close proximity...
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  • Quincy, Washington

    Catch the Sunset at Wild Horse Monument

    4.0
    0.4 mi / 150 ft gain
    If you're traveling along Hwy 90 in the middle of Washington State, the Wild Horse Monument is a fun and rather quick area to explore. Located 30 miles east of Ellensburg and 60 miles northwest of Yakima, the monument is located just across the Columbia River as you head east. As you drive, there...
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  • Cle Elum, Washington

    Backpack to Navaho Pass

    12 mi / 4220 ft gain
    This is a beautiful trail in the Teanaway area, located in Washington State. The trailhead starts along the Stafford Creek Trail and follows the creek for the first couple miles of the trail. There are a number of different types of wildflowers out here that make the first few miles a nice warmup...
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  • Quincy, Washington

    Ancient Lakes Trail

    4.7
    4.34 mi / 213 ft gain
    On the hunt for a dry, scenic backpack during a weekend of dreary, wet, early September weather in the mountains, we decided to head toward the high desert outside of Quincy, WA. After a short hike in, we found a site seldom seen - waterfalls and lakes in the midst of the desert - an area known a...
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  • Wenatchee, Washington

    Hike to Saddle Rock

    3.0
    2 mi / 920 ft gain
    Starting from the south end of Wenatchee, hike straight up the obvious wide trail to the south side of Saddle Rock. You'll wind around the iconic rock feature and approach it from the back. A short and steep hike will reward you with wide open views of the Wenatchee Valley as you crest the hill...
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  • Ronald, Washington

    Kayak at Cle Elum Lake

    We launched our kayaks from Speelyi Beach right into Cle Elum Lake. Surrounded with views of the beautiful Cascades and the Cle Elum Dam on the northwest side, exploring is endless.  Parking: There is a small parking lot at the top of Speelyi Beach or you can drive right onto the beach to launch ...
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  • Quincy, Washington

    Ancient Lakes via Judith Pool

    3.6
    4.44 mi / 558 ft gain
    All around you, waterfalls pour over cliffs as you gaze upon colorful lakes. If you're lucky, a coyote scampers by through a patch of wildflowers – it's just another beautiful day in the Ancient Lakes basin, a gem tucked along the Columbia River Gorge in Central Washington. From the parking lot,...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Backpack to Ingalls Creek

    3.0
    11 mi / 1450 ft gain
    As attempting to find a good overnight spot, I stumbled upon the mostly overlooked Ingalls Creek trail. Seemingly easy to get to, this seemed like a solid option for Spring camping. When we arrived, there were about four other cars in the parking lot, and my guess is that was about how many cars ...
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  • Ronald, Washington

    Hex Mountain Trail

    7.36 mi / 2710 ft gain
    Hex Mountain is a steep but rewarding out and back hike/snowshoe with 360 views from the peak. On a clear day you can see Mount Rainier, the Teanaways, the Stuart range, and many other surrounding peaks. Low avalanche risk makes this an enjoyable winter destination for snowshoers and backcountry ...
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  • Wenatchee, Washington

    Stroll through Ohme Garden

    This is a great place to take a stroll and stretch your legs. With waterfalls and other beautiful scenery, definitely make a stop here if you find yourself in the area. No pets allowed. 
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Climb Mount Stuart

    5.0
    Global climbing legend Fred Beckey once said, "[Mount Stuart is] without a rival as the crown peak in the central Cascades of Washington, Mount Stuart has been pronounced the single greatest mass of exposed granite in the United States".To ascend the mountain by is easiest route, the Cascading Co...
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Camping and Lodging in Ellensburg

Ellensburg KOA Journey
Ellensburg, Washington

Ellensburg KOA Journey

Yakima River Canyon Campgrounds
Ellensburg, Washington

Yakima River Canyon Campgrounds

Taneum Cabin
Thorp, Washington

Taneum Cabin

Mineral Springs Group
Cle Elum, Washington

Mineral Springs Group

Cottonwood Campground (Wa)
Naches, Washington

Cottonwood Campground (Wa)

Sawmill Flat Campground
Naches, Washington

Sawmill Flat Campground

Guides, Insights and Stories from Ellensburg

Climbing in 18-Degree Weather to Shoot the Sunrise

Climbing in 18-Degree Weather to Shoot the Sunrise

Roark Nelson

10 Spectacular hikes in Washington's Snoqualmie Pass

10 Spectacular hikes in Washington's Snoqualmie Pass

Grant Thomas

5 Things That Make Washington's Coast The Best In The West

5 Things That Make Washington's Coast The Best In The West

Crystal Guthrie

10 Epic Winter Adventures In Washington

10 Epic Winter Adventures In Washington

Nick Lake

5 Gorgeous Alpine Lakes In Washington That Aren’t The Enchantments

5 Gorgeous Alpine Lakes In Washington That Aren’t The Enchantments

Addison Klinke

Make these camp cocktails on your next adventure

Make these camp cocktails on your next adventure

Ellen Clark