Wren's Nest of Ellensburg, Washington

Parks & Attractions in Ellensburg. . . . .

BMX Bicycle Track
Located next to Mt. Stuart Elementary School on 15th Ave. This 1,000-foot track was constructed in the fall of 1996.

Burlington Northern Square
Located next to the railroad depot on West 3rd Ave. This small, historic park features a caboose and picnic tables.

CWU Community Ballfields
Go north of town on Adler Street to 18th Ave. This six-acre park is a joint venture between the city and CWU. It features two softball-soccer fields and restrooms. Off-street parking is available.

Ellensburg Memorial Park & City Pool
Located at Chestnut and 6th Avenue, Memorial Park provides picnic shelters and tables, a barbecue grill, a children's playground and more. The pool is equipped with a weight room, sauna, jacuzzi, Olympic-size pool and wading pool. Open swim each evening. Visitors welcome. Fee. Call for schedules 509/962-7211.

Ellensburg Senior Center
The recreational facility is located at 506 S. Pine St. The center offers anyone 50 and older a wide variety of recreational, cultural and educational activities.

Ellensburg Skate Park
One of Ellensburg's most innovative and popular attractions, this park, located on Pearl St. and 2nd Ave., consists of a series of ramps designed to challenge skate boarders and in-line skaters.

Kiwanis Park
Located near the intersection of A Street and 14th Ave. This four-acre park is part of a neighborhood. It features a picnic shelter, children's playground, baseball field, restrooms and half-size basketball court.

Lions/Mountain View Park
Located on Seattle Ave. between Maple & Willow streets, this eight-acre park offers picnic shelters, playground equipment, tennis courts, baseball field, softball/soccer field and restrooms. Roller hockey court coming soon.

McElroy Park
This 6.77-acre park is located between Brick Road and Brook Court, next to the Community Ballfields.

Paul Rogers Wildlife Refuge Park
Located on Judge Ronald Road, this 19.8-acre park provides a natural setting for local wildlife and features a number of trails and paths.

Reed Park
To discover a great birds-eye-view of Ellensburg, the Ellensburg Rodeo Arena, Kittitas County Fairgrounds, Central Washington University's campus, Kittitas Valley and the Stuart Mountain Range -- turn south off 8th Avenue onto Chestnut Street, go to East 3rd Avenue and turn left, turn left again onto Maple Street, go to Craig Avenue and follow it to the northeast. You'll find the park at the top of the hill. It's a great picnic spot.

Rotary Pavilion
Located on Pearl St. in downtown Ellensburg, the pavilion features benches, trees and the famous Ellensburg Bull. The area is also used for performances.

Sagebrush Trail Park
A developed walkway, the park is located from 4th Ave. to Poplar St.

West Ellensburg Park
Located at Pacific & 5th Ave. The park includes a pincic shelter, children's play complex, tennis courts with basketball backstops, football/soccer field and a baseball field with dugouts and bleachers.

Whipple Park
A neighborhood park, it is located on the corner of Railroad and West 4th Ave.

. . . . Outside of Ellensburg. . . . .

Canyon Road
A road that eventually leads to Yakima, this route enjoys numerous scenic views and picnic areas located next to the Yakima River. Follow Main Street south out of town and into the Yakima Canyon.

Cle Elum Telephone Museum
West of Ellensburg about 24 miles, just off the I-90 Highway, is the town of Cle Elum. A special townwide event, Pioneer Days, is held each year during the 4th of July Holiday. Another one of their interesting attractions is the Telephone Museum found at the corner of First and Wright Streets. Open from 12 noon to 4 pm, seven days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day, this museum presents the history of telephone communication. A scenic alternative to take from Ellensburg is US Highway Route 10.

Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Located just before you reach Vantage (traveling east on the Old Vantage Highway) this beautiful state park includes a museum with excellent displays including petrified wood and petroglyphs. A viewpoint and picnic area are nearby. The petrified forest above the museum makes an interesting walking tour.

Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park
124 acres located along the Yakima River just west of Ellensburg. Follow Main Street south to McDonalds and turn right on Damman Road, turn right again into the parking lot just past the Carey Lake Golf Course and before coming to the Yakima River. Swimming, volleyball, picnicking.

Iron Horse State Park
North Bend to the Columbia River. Old railroad beds provide the substance of this park. Open for day use year-round these 8 4 miles of trail are great for hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and dog sledding. No motorized vehicles are allowed. Easy access from many points along the trail. For more information contact Washington State Parks. www.parks.wa.gov.

Lake Easton State Park
This park is located one mile west of Easton, off Interstate 90, west of Ellensburg. It contains 158 acres and 145 campsites (reservations required). It also has a boat launch on Lake Easton, picnic tables and hot showers.

Lake Kachess
Nestled in the forest, this crystal-clear lake serves as a reservoir for the Kittitas Valley. It provides a boat launch, as well as good areas for camping and hiking. Take Interstate 90 going west to the exit after Easton and follow the signs.

Liberty
This historic old gold-mining town is listed in the National Historical Register. Take 8th Avenue west to the Highway 10 exit. Follow Highway 10 to Highway 131, which later intersects with Highway 97 (the Blewett Pass Highway). Turn north on Highway 97 and go about six miles -- watch for signs.

Lion Rock
From this scenic viewpoint, you can see Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams and the Stuart Range. It's great for picnicking, hiking and photography. From the northwest side of town, follow Reecer Creek Road and watch for signs along the way. Eventually this road will also lead to Liberty.

Manastash Ridge
A large area with good views, Manastash Ridge is also the location of the Manastash Observatory which is located high on the south ridge (call 963-2727 for public viewing dates, times and directions). Other highlights include Manastash Creek, Buck Meadows, and the surrounding forest. Take Main Street south to McDonalds and turn right onto Damman Road. After about two miles, Damman intersects with Manastash Road, follow Manastash Road south to the mouth of the canyon.

Nanum Creek Park
This land in the country at the end of Nanum Road can be accessed by the public for hiking and enjoying nature.

Old Umptanum Stagecoach Road
This scenic sagebrush route to Yakima is the same road pioneers used long ago. Take Main Street south to McDonalds and turn right on Damman Road, follow Damman until it turns into Umptanum Road (about three miles). Stay on this road up into the foothills surrounding the southern boundary of the valley and on to Yakima.

Olmstead Place State Park
One of the first homesteads in the valley, complete with the original log cabin, barns and authentic materials from the 1875 - 1890 era, this popular attraction is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm. Travel east on Mountain View Road, which turns into the Kittitas Highway, and then turn south on North Ferguson Road.

Roslyn
This historic coal-mining town boasts of a log cabin built in the 1880's (2nd and Utah Streets), 25 old ethnic cemeteries, and the quaint Roslyn Museum (on Pennsylvania Avenue). This was the main filming location for the TV series, Northern Exposure. It is located approximately 30-40 minutes west of Ellensburg off Interstate 90.

Taneum Road
Another scenic road that eventually ends up in the same foothills that the Manastash Road winds through. Take I-90 west from Ellensburg to the Thorp exit, turn left and travel to the Thorp Cemetery Road, turn right and you will eventually come to the Taneum Road. A campground is located on Taneum Creek for camping and picnicking.

Thorp Mill
Built in 1883, the Thorp Grist Mill is one of the few mills left in the state and the oldest industrial artifact in Kittitas County. Take I-90 west of Ellensburg to the Thorp Exit, turn right and follow the road through Thorp to the mill.

Wanapum State Park & Columbia River
Two miles south of Vantage, the park's grassy, tree-filled area features picnicking, swimming, a boat ramp, a trailer park and camping. This is a popular area for water skiing and soaking in the sun.

Wanapum Dam & Visitor Center
Artifacts, photos and art provide an interesting and educational insight into the lives of Indians, fur traders, soldiers, miners and ranchers. Public viewing of the dam's powerhouse, generator gallery and fish-viewing room is available. Take Interstate 90 east to Vantage, cross the Columbia River and turn south onto Highway 243--watch for signs.

Whiskey Dick Mountain
On a clear day one can see to Moses Lake from Whiskey Dick Mountain, the high point between Ellensburg and areas to the east. Travel east from Ellensburg about 17 miles on the Old Vantage Highway until you reach the highest elevation. Take the dirt road to the left, up the mountain.

Wishpoosh & Salmon La Sac
Huge rock formations and forested areas along the Cle Elum River, west of Ellensburg, provide fantastic locations for hiking and picnicking or just sitting and taking in the wonder of it all. Official camping and picnic grounds are also located along Lake Cle Elum and the Cle Eum River.

Yakima River
This beautiful river meanders from Lake Keechelus through Cle Elum and Ellensburg to Yakima. Handy sites are available for picnicking or floating on the river with tubes or rafts. Rental equipment and safety information are available from the CWU Tent-N-Tube Rental Shop (963-3537) or call Rill Adventures for a hassle free float. (1-888-282-1561) They'll plan your trip from access to take-out and provide a picnic lunch. You may also visit their web site at www.cabinriver.com/rill/home.html.