Hikes 30 Minutes from Yakima
There's no need to drive all the way to the Cascades or Columbia River Gorge to get your hiking fix. With arboretums and botanical gardens, canyons, nature preserves and waterfront trails, Yakima has plenty to offer to hikers right in the neighborhood.
Try one of our suggestions below or share your local favorite in a trip report.
Is it really a 30-minute drive? Your starting point and traffic may make these 5 minutes or 40 minutes away. And if you're taking a bus, it may take quite a bit longer to reach the trailhead. (Be sure to double check routes and schedules.)
Yakima Area Arboretum and BOtanical Garden
Location: Central Washington -- Yakima
Mileage: Varies
Elevation Gain: Varies
Public Transportation: Yes
Photo by Bob and Barb.
Yakima Area Arboretum and Botanical Garden sits just outside of Yakima, with bountiful and diverse plant life for visitors to discover. There are wetlands and ponds around the arboretum, and visitors can improve their plant-identifying skills as many trees are labelled. Fall colors and cherry blossoms appear at appropriate times of the year, resulting in a new hike in every season.
> Plan your trip to Yakima Area Arboretum and Botanical Garden using WTA's Hiking Guide
Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve
Location: Central Washington -- Yakima
Mileage: 2.5 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 0 feet
Public Transportation: No
Photo by David Hagen.
Created in 1993 as a preserve for the basalt daisy flower along Selah Creek, the Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve has a half mile interpretive loop trail and an additional two-mile out-and-back trail for those looking for something longer. Hikers can take in the large cliffs and wildlife in the preserve on the trail. Note that this is a hiker-only trail, and dogs are not permitted.
> Plan your trip to Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve using WTA's Hiking Guide
Cowiche Canyon
Location: Central Washington -- Yakima
Mileage: 20.0 miles of trails
Elevation Gain: Varies
Public Transportation: No
Photo by David Hagen.
Create your own adventure at Cowiche Canyon, which has 20 miles of trail for hikers to piece together to make a unique hike. Trails meander through the canyon, as well as above the canyon, allowing for very diverse experiences depending on where hikers choose to go. Wildflowers dot the canyon in springtime and leaves change in autumn, which also change the scenery dramatically throughout the year.
> Plan your trip to Cowiche Canyon using WTA's Hiking Guide
Yakima Greenway
Location: Central Washington -- Yakima
Mileage: 10.0 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 100 feet
Public Transportation: Yes
Photo by wishfulwanderer.
The Yakima Greenway is entirely paved with multiple access points, and runs along the Yakima and Naches Rivers for 10 miles, giving hikers the choice of how long they'd like their hike to be. The area abounds with wildlife, and birdwatchers will be especially satisfied. A number of features dot the trail, including playgrounds, parks and picnic areas, making it a great trail to spend an entire day outside.
> Plan your trip to Yakima Greenway using WTA's Hiking Guide
Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge
Location: Central Washington -- Yakima
Mileage: 2.0 miles of trails
Elevation Gain: 0 feet
Public Transportation: No
Photo by laurie.dermer.
As a refuge, Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge has plenty of flora and fauna to enjoy. Hikers may run into a wide variety of birds in the wetlands, as well as flowers and other plant life around the ponds. A short trail takes hikers to a viewing platform with informational signs about the area, which loops back around to the trailhead.
> Plan your trip to Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge using WTA's Hiking Guide