SELF-GUIDED ACTIVITIES
Explore Central Washington on your own terms! View our list of self-guided activities that can be found in Kittitas County.
1,000 Steps at The Lodge at Suncadia
The 1,000 Steps project at Suncadia is 21 flights of stairs connecting The Lodge to the Cle Elum River. Covering an elevation change equivalent to the height of a 19-story building, the 393 stair steps provide resort guests and homeowners with convenient access to river activities and a scenic walkway.
Barn Quilt Trail
Kittitas County is the first in Washington State to have Barn Quilts and a tour. The Barn Quilts are a beautiful way to honor Kittitas County’s agriculture industry and the farm / ranch families that settled in the area.
Excursion Vendors
Make a splash during your time in Central Washington by booking a thrilling rafting excursion, exploring the slopes of nearby mountains via snowmobile, or embarking on another outdoor adventure in our vast natural lands! Gear up with a little help from these local suppliers, offering quality equipment rentals and even some top-notch guide services!
Roslyn Cemetery
Memorial Street
Roslyn, WA
It would be hard to find a cemetery with more historical significance in the state of Washington other than the Roslyn Cemetery. During the coal mining era, settlers of all nationalities lived in and around this small town. The Roslyn Cemetery is a local treasure and a historical snapshot of life in the late 1800’s. It consists of 26 separate cemeteries, many of them individually ethnic.
Thorp Mill
Built in 1883, the Thorp Grist Mill offers another glimpse into the agricultural history of the area and is one of the few mills left in the state and the oldest industrial artifact in Kittitas County. The Grist Mill was powered by water from the Yakima River and was used to provide feed for livestock, and flour for the local residents. In 1906, the wheels were used to generate electricity.
Wild Horse Wind Farm
25901 Vantage Highway
Ellensburg, WA
The Wild Horse Wind Farm, which sits atop the Whiskey Dick Mountain, is just a few miles from Ellensburg on high open range tops. Built by Puget Sound Energy, it consists of 149 wind turbines. Wild Horse takes advantage of the region’s strong, consistent winds and abundant sunshine to produce clean, renewable energy.
Olmstead State Park
Read more about Olmstead State Park
921 Ferguson Rd., Ellensburg, WA
The Olmstead State park is a working pioneer farm and hails as one of the first homesteads in the Kittitas Valley. Many of the original buildings still stand including a log cabin built in 1875 by the Olmstead family. In addition, there is a dairy barn, grainery, wagon shed, hay barn and the Olmstead family home.
Go for a Bike Ride
f bike riding is your “happy place,” check out Central Washington! Whether you prefer hitting the asphalt on two wheels or your preferred road is mostly dirt, there are so many rides you’ve just gotta try just off the beaten path.
In case you need convincing about how much we enjoy bicycling around here, our very own Ellensburg, Washington was named a Bicycle Friendly Community (Silver Level) by The League of American Bicyclists.
Places to Camp
There are few ways to commune with nature that compare to sleeping under the stars. Central Washington is a must-visit camping mecca. With campgrounds sprinkled throughout the county and national parks in our backyard, you could camp all summer and not see the same place twice!
Great Fishing Spots
Fishing spots in Kittitas County are plentiful and waiting to be discovered on your next getaway. Our location in Central Washington is near many water bodies – many of which are accessible for anglers of many types – whether they prefer shore fishing, fly fishing, or boat fishing!
Golf Courses
18 Holes in beautiful natural settings, excellent conditions and great affordability is what you’ll find in Central Washington. No matter what your skill level, you’ll feel like you hit a hole-in-one for great golfing, accommodations, and adventures in Central Washington.
Hiking & Trails
Fresh air, breathtaking views, and adventure abound! You don’t have to be an expert outdoorsperson to enjoy the trails in Central Washington. Kittitas County is home to great outdoor escapes including trails that range from beginner to advanced and have varying in terrain, elevation, incline, and length.
Hunting Spots
Escape to a choice hunting spot in Central Washington. This area, part of hunting District 8, has abundant hunting opportunities and is best known for the Yakima elk herd – one of the largest herds in the state – in addition to deer, quail, dove, duck, chukar, pheasant, goose, turkeys and more.
Water Recreation
Being out on the water is an experience many people wait all year to have. Central Washington is bursting with options of lakes, rivers, and streams! So whether you like to tube, swim, jetski, fly fish, angle fish, or relax near the water and catch some rays — Central Washington needs to be your next spot for an ESCAPE from the everyday.
Winter Recreation
If you wait all year for that first snowflake to fall, then Central Washington is for YOU! When the cold and snow start, recreation options heat up in Central Washington! Central Washington, specifically Kittitas County, offers hundreds of miles of groomed trails, with popular options including Blewett Pass on Highway 97, Salmon la Sac north of Roslyn, and the Ronald and Easton areas.