Man backpacker by lake. Nada lake, Enchantment Lakes basin, Leavenworth, Washington state, USA.

©Marina Poushkina/Shutterstock

Central Washington

Caught in the foothills of the grandiose Cascade Range, Central Washington is a geographic crossroads where dramatic alpine peaks fold with eerie suddenness into a barren, steppe-like desert broken only by the winding presence of the Columbia River and its irrigating dams.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Central Washington
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a spectacular 614-sq-mile protected area of rough, crenellated mountains, glacier-gouged valleys, and – as the name implies…
Yakima Valley Museum
Central Washington
This highly educational and entertaining museum is one of the state's best. It tells the story of the region from a geographic and historical viewpoint,…
Lake Wenatchee
Central Washington
Swimming, boating and fishing entertain summertime visitors to Lake Wenatchee, 23 miles north of the city of Wenatchee (and actually much closer to…
Yakama Nation Museum & Cultural Center
Central Washington
The history of the Yakama Native Americans is well documented at the Yakama Nation Cultural Center, which exhibits traditional costumes, baskets and beads…
Goldendale Observatory State Park
Central Washington
Goldendale Observatory State Park is a 5-acre educational park with an awesome telescope, located atop a 2100ft-elevation hill. It's undergoing…
Waterfront Park
Central Washington
Tucked out of view but surprisingly close, this is Leavenworth's access to the Wenatchee River. Wander down 9th St and follow the leafy path over a…
Yakima Greenway
Central Washington
A pleasant oasis in an otherwise unremarkable city, the Greenway is best accessed via Sarg Hubbard Park at I-82 exit 33. It has 18 miles of paths for…
Fort Simcoe State Park
Central Washington
An interesting historical fort complex is preserved in the 200-acre Fort Simcoe State Park, an oasis of green amid scorched desert hills. It was built in…