Ellensburg, Washington

Looking for the best hiking in Ellensburg? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Ellensburg. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Ellensburg

  • Ellensburg, Washington

    Hike Manastash Ridge

    4 mi / 1700 ft gain
    Manastash Ridge is a popular hike in Ellensburg, Washington, attracting many locals and students of Central Washington University. While attending school, I climbed the Ridge a handful of times, always with struggle. After making my resolution of 40 hikes in 2015, I decided to tackle this hike fo...
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  • Ellensburg, Washington

    Hike the Rattlesnake Dance Ridge Trail

    4.7
    2.6 mi / 1350 ft gain
    Starting at an elevation of 2050 feet and immediately off the gravel parking lot to the side of Canyon Road, begin the uphill charge on the vast, empty Rattlesnake Dance Trail. A few steps in, the tone will be set as to what you are up against.Although less than a mile and a half in distance, do ...
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  • Ellensburg, Washington

    Hike Umtanum Creek Canyon

    4.5
    3 mi / 500 ft gain
    Park your vehicle at the Umtanum Creek Canyon Recreation Area. Be aware that from mid-May to mid-September there is a $5.00 per vehicle, per day parking fee since the land is owned by Bureau of Land Management.Grab your gear and head for the swinging suspension bridge that will lead you over the ...
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  • Quincy, Washington

    Rock Climb 'The Sunshine Wall'

    5.0
    0.5 mi
    I had never been outdoor rock climbing before, but when I heard my school was offering a trip out to Vantage, Washington over the weekend I couldn't pass up the opportunity!Vantage, Washington is smack in the middle of Washington's two largest cities, Seattle and Spokane. With its close proximity...
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  • Quincy, Washington

    Catch the Sunset at Wild Horse Monument

    4.0
    0.4 mi / 150 ft gain
    If you're traveling along Hwy 90 in the middle of Washington State, the Wild Horse Monument is a fun and rather quick area to explore. Located 30 miles east of Ellensburg and 60 miles northwest of Yakima, the monument is located just across the Columbia River as you head east. As you drive, there...
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  • Cle Elum, Washington

    Backpack to Navaho Pass

    12 mi / 4220 ft gain
    This is a beautiful trail in the Teanaway area, located in Washington State. The trailhead starts along the Stafford Creek Trail and follows the creek for the first couple miles of the trail. There are a number of different types of wildflowers out here that make the first few miles a nice warmup...
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  • Quincy, Washington

    Ancient Lakes Trail

    4.7
    4.34 mi / 213 ft gain
    On the hunt for a dry, scenic backpack during a weekend of dreary, wet, early September weather in the mountains, we decided to head toward the high desert outside of Quincy, WA. After a short hike in, we found a site seldom seen - waterfalls and lakes in the midst of the desert - an area known a...
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  • Wenatchee, Washington

    Hike to Saddle Rock

    3.0
    2 mi / 920 ft gain
    Starting from the south end of Wenatchee, hike straight up the obvious wide trail to the south side of Saddle Rock. You'll wind around the iconic rock feature and approach it from the back. A short and steep hike will reward you with wide open views of the Wenatchee Valley as you crest the hill...
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  • Quincy, Washington

    Ancient Lakes via Judith Pool

    3.6
    4.44 mi / 558 ft gain
    All around you, waterfalls pour over cliffs as you gaze upon colorful lakes. If you're lucky, a coyote scampers by through a patch of wildflowers – it's just another beautiful day in the Ancient Lakes basin, a gem tucked along the Columbia River Gorge in Central Washington. From the parking lot,...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Backpack to Ingalls Creek

    3.0
    11 mi / 1450 ft gain
    As attempting to find a good overnight spot, I stumbled upon the mostly overlooked Ingalls Creek trail. Seemingly easy to get to, this seemed like a solid option for Spring camping. When we arrived, there were about four other cars in the parking lot, and my guess is that was about how many cars ...
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  • Ronald, Washington

    Hex Mountain Trail

    7.36 mi / 2710 ft gain
    Hex Mountain is a steep but rewarding out and back hike/snowshoe with 360 views from the peak. On a clear day you can see Mount Rainier, the Teanaways, the Stuart range, and many other surrounding peaks. Low avalanche risk makes this an enjoyable winter destination for snowshoers and backcountry ...
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  • Wenatchee, Washington

    Stroll through Ohme Garden

    This is a great place to take a stroll and stretch your legs. With waterfalls and other beautiful scenery, definitely make a stop here if you find yourself in the area. No pets allowed. 
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Climb Mount Stuart

    5.0
    Global climbing legend Fred Beckey once said, "[Mount Stuart is] without a rival as the crown peak in the central Cascades of Washington, Mount Stuart has been pronounced the single greatest mass of exposed granite in the United States".To ascend the mountain by is easiest route, the Cascading Co...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Day Hike to Lake Ingalls

    4.3
    9 mi / 2500 ft gain
    From the parking lot you start out on an old miners road that leads to the trail. Keep right at the first fork (left lead to Esmeralda Basin), then in about 2 miles, go left at the next fork (right leads to Ingalls Pass). The trail will climb steadily as you continue. In about another mile you wi...
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  • Leavenworth, Washington

    Mountain Run to Lake Ann and Ingalls

    9 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Both trails start at the Esmeralda Trailhead, Trail Number 1394. Lake Ann has a handful of folks that you will run into, whereas Lake Ingalls is a well-traveled trail. Both offer camping spots along the trail, and Lake Ann has spots where you can camp by the lake. NO CAMPING ALLOWED at Lake Ingal...
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  • Ronald, Washington

    Camping at French Cabin Creek Rd.

    3.0
    This area is a very secluded camp area, so unless it's a holiday weekend, be prepared to be alone :) It is a very quiet lake and along the roadside there are plenty of spots to hike, camp, and fish by the lake or the Cle Elum river.So bring your day hiking gear and pole as well and head out in th...
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