Just moved to Ellensburg, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.
First Saturday of each month, 8:00am
Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park parking lot (Umtanum Rd bridge), Ellensburg
Over 160 species recorded along the river; binoculars and beginners welcome.
Tuesday evenings · membership sign-up on site
Around Ellensburg — see club
Seasonal trail runs on the Ridge — see club
Manastash Ridge trailheads, Ellensburg
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance — Kittitas
Seasonal work parties and community rides — see chapter
Manastash Ridge & area trailheads, Kittitas County
Open daily during the academic year · $7 community day pass
SURC Climbing Wall, CWU, Ellensburg
50-foot wall with top-rope and bouldering, open daily in the academic year; belay clinics and the annual Ropeless Rodeo comp.
Student club — wall sessions, comps & Vantage trips, see club
SURC Climbing Wall, CWU, Ellensburg
Third Thursday most months (not summer), 7:00pm
Hal Holmes Community Center, Ellensburg
Year-round guided drift-boat trips · book ahead
Worley Bugger Fly Co., 1713 S Canyon Rd, Ellensburg
Upper Yakima wild-trout floats and casting instruction from Ellensburg’s original fly shop.
Year-round guided floats + Red’s University fly-fishing school · book ahead
Red’s Fly Shop, 14706 Hwy 821 (Yakima Canyon), Ellensburg
Blue Ribbon trout water in the canyon; full- and half-day trips plus a multi-level fly-fishing school.
Summer guided floats, moonlight trips & rentals · reserve ahead
Upper Yakima River, south of Ellensburg
Calm, family-friendly upper-river floats; rent a boat or join a guided trip.
CWU Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals
Spring–fall guided floats & paddle trips · CWU community
Yakima River, from CWU Outdoor Pursuits, Ellensburg
Manastash Ridge Trails Coalition
Volunteer trail work and the Ridge’s ~20 miles of public trail
Manastash Ridge trailheads, Ellensburg
Seasonal restoration & volunteer outings — see KCT
Around the upper Yakima basin, Kittitas County
CWU Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals
Fall & spring day hikes and backpacking trips · CWU community
Rotating Cascade trailheads, from CWU, Ellensburg
Ellensburg Cross Country Ski Club
Club meetings suspended — winter outings coordinated through the club’s groups.io message board
Blewett Pass & Salmon la Sac Sno-Parks, near Ellensburg
CWU Outdoor Pursuits & Rentals
Winter guided Nordic & snowshoe trips · CWU community
Cascade Sno-Parks, from CWU, Ellensburg
Ski packages, snowshoe rentals & local beta all winter
Mountain High Sports, 105 E 4th Ave, Ellensburg