7 Best Yakima Hikes in 2024 (By a Local)

I’m a Yakima, Washington local and avid hiker with insights into the best Yakima hikes! 

This guide covers popular hikes for every skill level, including alpine ascents and relaxing riverside walks. I also share hidden gems where you can find unique geological formations, rare endemic wildflowers, and local wildlife.

Trust me, these scenic trails are some of the best attractions in Yakima!

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Best Hikes In/Near Yakima

Cowiche Canyon Trail

This popular hiking spot on the outskirts of town features a creekside trail, a winery, and unique rock formations.

🥾 Easy | 5.2 miles | Google Maps | Park Website | 15-minute drive from Yakima | Cost: free

Cowiche Canyon Trail is a popular place to hike in one of Washington’s top destinations. It’s conveniently located on the edge of Yakima. The main trail traces its way along the canyon floor and remains flat, so it’s an easy hike for anyone.

Unique basalt rock formations, like those found at Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, are one of the area’s most fascinating features.

There are also a few other routes following the ridges on either side of the canyon. One of the first to branch off from the main trail leads up to the Wilridge Vineyard, Winery, & Distillery. 

Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be kept on a leash at the trailheads and parking lots. The gravel parking lot on the canyon’s eastern end is the easiest place to start. 

Ahtanum Ridge

This short hike has an intense initial uphill and great views of the city and the area south of town.

🥾 Moderate | 2.5 miles | Google Maps | 12-minute from Yakima | Cost: free 

Ahtanum Ridge is another of the best trails right outside town. This is a short trail with a small, but steep elevation gain of 885’ at the beginning of the hike. The panoramic views of the Yakima Valley are worth it, though! You may even spot a coyote or two going about their business.

This trail starts at the Central Washington Agricultural Museum in Fullbright Park. It’s near several of Yakima’s great restaurants, perfect for some post-hike refreshments.

👉 Local Tip: Central Washington is home to a few potentially dangerous animals. These include rattlesnakes, cougars, bears, wolves, and coyotes.

Snow Mountain Ranch

This network of trails offers excellent views of the Yakima Valley, along with local flora and fauna.

🥾 Moderate | 6.2 miles | Google Maps | Park Website | 30-minute drive from Yakima | Cost: free

Snow Mountain Ranch has a series of trails to the west of town. The trails are, for the most part, easy and fairly flat. Some are moderate and steeper with a 1266’ elevation gain at the highest point — the peak of Cowiche Mountain. The summit offers excellent views of Mount Rainier and Mount Adams on a clear, beautiful day.

Wildflowers grow along the trail here in spring and summer, adding to the natural beauty of the area. These trails offer little or no shade, like a few other hikes in the area. 

Yakima has hot, dry, and sunny summers. Be sure to bring plenty of water and proper sun protection, among other hiking essentials. It’s also a good idea to wait until later in the day to start a hike.

Selah Cliffs

Learn about local endemic plant life along this short but sweet hike outside Selah, Washington.

🥾 Easy | 2.5 miles | Google Maps | Park Website | 15-minute drive from Yakima | Cost: Discover Pass

Selah is one of the central Washington small towns adjacent to Yakima. It’s home to a few pleasant trails of its own. The best is the hike near the Selah Cliffs, which follows the Selah Creek that flows into the Yakima River. The trailhead begins shortly before the entrance to the Yakima River Canyon. You will need a Discover Pass to hike here.

The trail winds its way through the Selah Cliffs Natural Area Preserve, a protective habitat for the endangered basalt daisy. The preserve features a half-mile interpretive trail, plus a longer two-mile extension for those looking for a little more exercise. Dogs, unfortunately, are not allowed on the trail, given the conservational zoning of the area. 

Umtanum Creek Canyon

Take a scenic day hike or camp overnight in this gorgeous gorge north of Yakima.

🥾 Moderate | 8.7 miles | Google Maps | Park Website | 30-minute drive from Yakima| Cost: $5 for parking (mid-May – mid-September)

This trail begins with a suspension bridge spanning the river near the northern end of the Yakima Canyon. It crosses the (active) railroad tracks and takes a right as it follows the babbling Umtanum Creek. This is one of the more popular hikes in the area, but still keeps an overall peaceful ambiance even in the busier summer months. 

The recreation area at the start of the trail is a great place for overnight camping and quite scenic at any time of year. Central Washington cities and landscapes never get as green as those on the western side, but they have a beauty all their own. The trailhead is just under 23 miles from town, making this a great day trip from Yakima. 

Cleman Mountain

This is one of the taller mountains west of Yakima, offering awesome views and a little more exercise than other trails.

🥾 Difficult | 8 miles | Google Maps | 1.25-hour drive from Yakima | Cost: Northwest Forest Pass

Cleman Mountain rises skyward outside Naches, one of the tiny towns in Yakima’s outskirts. It’s one of the harder local hikes with a 2300’ elevation gain, perfect for those who prefer climbing mountains to simple trail walks. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to explore this trail. The US Forest Service provides all relevant information on its webpage.

You’ll get great views of the Goat Rocks Wilderness and Mt. Adams from the slopes of this mountain. The alpine icon of Washington state, Mount Rainier, is visible from here, too. Cleman Mountain is also a good place for viewing wildlife, such as bighorn sheep and deer. 

Check out Bron Yr Aur Brewery (one of the best breweries in Yakima) after your hike for some well-earned refreshments. It makes delicious pizzas and features some astounding stouts, Scotch ales, and other standbys on the maltier side of the beer spectrum.

Tieton River Nature Trail

This scenic river canyon trail lies half an hour west of Yakima.

🥾 Easy | 3.3 miles | Google Maps | 30-minute drive from Yakima | Cost: Discover Pass

The Tieton River Nature Trail is a great place for hiking with children. The trail is easy with an elevation gain of about 300’. It follows the Tieton River through a scenic, sheer-walled canyon and features cheery spring wildflowers and fiery autumn colors.

The path begins at a gap in the elk fence, across the bridge from the parking area. Be sure to bring sun protection if you come here in summer. The Yakima area has hot, sunny summers and there’s not much in the way of shade along this trail. 

FAQs About Hiking Near Yakima

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I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my guide to the best Yakima hikes. Check out my article on where to stay in Yakima while you explore the local trails!