A historic railroad corridor offers a distinctive perspective on movement and the past in Kittitas County. The Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail follows the corridor of the Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul-Pacific Railroad, known as the Milwaukee Road. In sections, the trail runs 251 miles from Cedar Falls near North Bend east to the Idaho border. Its central section begins at the Snoqualmie Tunnel, passes through Ellensburg, and continues across the Columbia River on the Beverly Bridge. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are possible on the trail; surfaces and closures may vary by section. Check current advisories before setting out.
Routes Between Mining History and Nature
The Manastash Ridge Trails system also tells the story of how the landscape has been used: it is a network of user-built trails on state-managed land that Kittitas County residents have used for more than 60 years. Conditions and management may change, so it’s worth checking current conditions before setting out. The Coal Mines Trail connects Roslyn, Cle Elum, and Ronald and recalls the region’s coal-mining history.
At Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, trails meet natural history. The Trailside Museum and the Trees of Stone Interpretive Trail explain petrified wood through interpretive signs. The trail runs for 1.25 miles among petrified logs in their original setting; the park has three miles of hiking trails in total. This makes it possible to view the interpretive trail as part of a larger trail network.
Forest, Water, and Seasonal Activities
Lake Easton State Park is a wooded camping park covering 697 acres, with 24,000 feet of freshwater access along the shores of Lake Easton. Summer activities include hiking, biking, and water sports, while winter activities include skiing and snowshoeing. Boaters have access to a dock with a 20-foot pier; motorboats are limited to 10 horsepower. Watercraft access opens in April, depending on snow conditions. So check seasonal conditions before traveling.
At Olmstead Place Historical State Park, the focus is on settler families, agricultural history, and farming equipment. Along Coleman Creek, the Altapes Interpretive Trail offers a short, informative walk from one end of the park to the other. In winter, you can cross-country ski and snowshoe in the fields; snow conditions determine whether conditions are suitable.
The nearby Yakima River Canyon stretches 27 miles between Ellensburg and Yakima. The river flows through gently rolling desert hills and basalt cliffs; wildlife viewing is also possible. The Yakima River State Scenic Byway provides access in the canyon to five developed river access sites: Bighorn, Umtanum, Lmuma Creek, Big Pines, and Roza. South of Ellensburg, the nonmotorized trails at the Ringer Road Trailhead offer views of wildlife and birdlife along the banks of the Yakima River.
Places and Traces of the Past
The Kittitas County Historical Museum is in historic downtown Ellensburg. The Ellensburg Historic District also combines art galleries and historic storefronts with well-preserved 19th-century architecture. Individual shops and exhibits may change. The Roslyn Historic District is a National Historic Landmark associated with coal mining and preserved buildings.
Liberty is home to Washington’s oldest mining site. Gold discoveries at nearby Swauk Creek led to the establishment of several mining camps in the 1870s; the town was named Liberty in 1916. Another historic structure is the Umtanum Suspension Bridge, built around 1925 and a well-known landmark in Kittitas County. It connects the BLM’s Umtanum Recreation Area with canyon trails, public lands, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Wenas Wildlife Area.
Thorp Mill is a restored gristmill offering tours and educational programs. Check current tour arrangements before visiting. The Kittitas County Fair offers a different kind of cultural history: it lasts five days and takes place every Labor Day weekend. Development of the permanent site for the combined county fair and rodeo began in 1923 with the construction of the rodeo arena and the first permanent buildings on the fairgrounds. If you plan to include the event in your trip, check the specific dates. Ellensburg is accessible via I-90, US Highway 97, and I-82; here, too, it is advisable to check road conditions before driving.
Explore more destinations: Ellensburg, Cle Elum, Snoqualmie Pass, Ronald, Kittitas, Okanogan, Grays Harbor County, Snohomish.
For the main travel overview: Washington.
