The Breathtaking Scenic Drive Through Washington That Runs Along The Yakima River
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Andrea Verschuyl
Author
Every year, 40 percent of Americans hop in their car for a road trip. Though some travel out of state, others keep their adventure local. Exploring an area by car — even if that place isn’t far from home — creates endless opportunities for spontaneous discovery. That said, if, like me, you don’t enjoy long drives, it’s refreshing to have a micro-road trip in your back pocket. For the most beautiful road trip in Washington that’s under an hour behind the wheel, check out this route from Ellensburg to Wapato.
1. Brewster's Coffee House, Ellensburg
407 N Water St, Ellensburg, WA 98926, USA
Like all good Evergreen State adventures, you'll start your trip with a darn good cup of Joe in Ellensburg, one of Washington's most woefully underrated college towns. Though you're free to pick the coffee shop of your choosing, I recommend Brewster's Coffee House on N Water Street. If you don't have road trip snacks packed, snag a pastry to fuel the day's adventure!
2. Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center, Ellensburg
24343 Canyon Rd, Ellensburg, WA 98926, USA
You'll say goodbye to Ellensburg via famous State Route 821. Here, your first pull-off will be to the Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center, just ten minutes from the cafe. With hot coffee in hand, you'll learn about this road trip's main attraction — the shrub-steppe environment — and the issues endangering it.
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3. Rattlesnake Dance Ridge Trail, Ellensburg
Washington 821, WA-821, Washington, USA
Ready for your first hike? Rattlesnake Dance Ridge trail is a quiet, two-mile out-and-back route boasting jaw-dropping scenic views and occasional wildlife sightings. It may be short, but this calf-burner gains around 1,000 feet in elevation, so bring appropriate gear. Though you're under no obligation to complete the trek, aim to get high enough to appreciate the trail's outlook over the surrounding canyon.
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4. Umtanum Creek Recreation Site, Ellensburg
Canyon Road, Canyon Rd, Ellensburg, WA, USA
Next up is the gorgeous Umtanum Creek Recreation Site. This pull-off gets travelers close to the powerful Yakima River, the creator of the canyon and the lifeblood of the diverse ecosystem thriving within it.
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5. Baldy Mountain, Ellensburg
Canyon Road, Canyon Rd, Ellensburg, WA, USA
Hopefully, by now, you're warmed up for the main hike of your day: Baldy Mountain, sometimes called the TP Jim Trail. This moderately challenging four-miler treats hikers to a series of mesmerizing panoramas. If the climb gives you pause, cut the route in half by turning back at the mountain's saddle. However, if you have the necessary combination of gumption and conditioning, I can't recommend Baldy enough.
6. Big Pines Recreation Site, Ellensburg
Canyon Road, Canyon Rd, Ellensburg, WA, USA
Treat yourself to lunch at Big Pines Recreation Site. One of my favorite campgrounds in the area, Big Pines has a lot to offer travelers planning to spend the night and those just passing through. If you're timing your adventure for late spring or early summer, keep your eyes peeled for the patches of bright wildflowers that crop up along this spot's rugged slopes.
7. Graffiti Cave, Yakima
PG8R+QM, Yakima, WA, USA
State Route 821 winds through a region of exceptional natural beauty, but what about a roadside attraction celebrating human creativity? Graffiti Cave bears decades' worth of tags and artwork. If the collection was a blight at one time, today, it's a fascinating and utterly unique Washington destination, capturing peoples' ever-present impulse to leave their mark and speak to the future through art.
8. Treveri Cellars, Wapato
71 Gangl Rd, Wapato, WA 98951, USA
You started your excursion with coffee; end it with a glass of wine at Treveri Cellars, one of Central Washington's premiere wineries. With delicious bites and sprawling views, this Wapato institution is the perfect place to unwind. If the weather's inclement, book a table tucked inside one of the tasting room's outdoor igloos!
If you’ve been looking for the most beautiful road trip in Washington that doesn’t break the odometer, check out this unforgettable route along State Route 821.
What’s your favorite micro road trip in the Evergreen State?
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