Yakima is a mid-sized city that offers great lodging deals, great free adventures, and access to some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world. This summer don’t let gas prices and a slowing economy keep you at home. Use the following steps to plan your own inexpensive wild outdoor weekend.
Step 1: Learn About Yakima, Washington
Yakima is a mid-sized city in Washington that has a population of about 72,000 people. It has a dry summer climate compared to the coastal cities in Washington. You should expect about .67 inches of rain in June and .19 inches of rain in July. While you are visiting this town you may want to check out the Greenway, which is a 10 miles trail system in the city that follows the Naches River, the American Hop Museum, and the Yakima Nation Cultural Heritage Center.
Step 2: Plan Where to Stay
Lodging is usually one of the biggest expenses that you have to budget for when planning a vacation. If you want to spend next to nothing for your vacation lodging then you may want to consider staying at one of the local campgrounds. One of the closest campgrounds is the Woodland Park. Other nearby campgrounds include: Yakima KOA Kampground, Sun Tides EV Park and Golf Course, Stagecoach RV Park, and the Yakima Nation RV Resort.
If you want to stay at a local hotel then you can get a great deal on a room by planning your vacation early in the summer season, by booking early, and by taking advantage of special promotions and discounts. Some of the local hotels that you can choose from include: the Best Western Peppertree Yakima Inn, the Best Western Ahtanum Inn, the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, the Comfort Suites Yakima, and the Economy Inn.
Step 3: Plan Where to Go and What to See
Your next step is to plan a few fun outdoor activities. Most of these activities are free of charge. The only cost to you is the gas to get their and back. However, some state parks and recreations do have a modest entrance fee that you will need to budget for, however, this fee is usually a lot less expensive then going to the movies or to an amusement park.
Your first outdoor adventure that you can have is a hiking adventure. There are several nearby trail systems that you can choose from. The closest trail system is the High Creek Trail. It is located 31 miles away, it offers 1.7 miles of trails, and it offers an elevation change of 412 feet. Another nearby trail system is the Red Hill Trail. It is located 39 miles away, it offers 7.1 miles of trails, and it offers an elevation change of 3239 feet.
Your second outdoor adventure that you can have is a whitewater adventure. There are a few nearby whitewater destinations that you can choose from. The first is located 23 miles away on the Tieton River. It is a class II-III run that stretches 8.5 miles between the Windy Point Campground and Naches.
Your third outdoor adventure that you can have is a lake adventure. There are a few lakes to choose from for skiing, boating, swimming, and fishing. They include: Berglund Lake, Cascade Mill Pond, Mill Pond, Lake Myron, Rotary Lake, Mud Lake, an Parker Reservoir.
