State Parks Near Ellensburg, Washington
10 state park units lie within 50 miles of Ellensburg. The closest is Olmstead Place Historical State Park, about 4 mi southeast of town. 2 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Olmstead Place Historical State Park4 mi southeast
- Within 25 miles
- 2of 10 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 71 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 10pets allowed
State parks near Ellensburg, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Ellensburg; driving distance is usually longer.
Olmstead Place Historical State Park
Popular activities here are wildlife watching, fishing, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Olmstead Place Historical State Park →Squilchuck State Park
Popular activities here are horseback riding, mountain biking, biking, wildlife watching, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Squilchuck State Park →Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Popular activities here are boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. Its trail network totals roughly 25 miles, according to the park. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park →Wanapum Recreation Area
Visitors come for boating, swimming, wildlife watching, fishing, and hiking. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Wanapum Recreation Area →Yakima Sportsman State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, wildlife watching, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Yakima Sportsman State Park →Wenatchee Confluence State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and biking. Water access includes a boat ramp. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Wenatchee Confluence State Park →Lake Easton State Park
Popular activities here are horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and biking. Water access includes a boat ramp. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Easton State Park →Peshastin Pinnacles State Park
Visitors come for wildlife watching, geocaching, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Peshastin Pinnacles State Park →Lincoln Rock State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, and biking. On the water side, there is a swimming beach and a boat ramp. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites and showers).
Hours, fees and rules for Lincoln Rock State Park →Fort Simcoe Historical State Park
Visitors come for horseback riding, wildlife watching, hiking, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Simcoe Historical State Park →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Ellensburg
- Squilchuck State Park 23 mi north · Campground listed
- Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park 27 mi east · Campground listed
- Wanapum Recreation Area 27 mi east · Campground listed
- Yakima Sportsman State Park 29 mi south · Campground listed
- Wenatchee Confluence State Park 33 mi north · Campground listed
+ 2 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Ellensburg
- Lincoln Rock State Park 39 mi north · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Ellensburg
- Olmstead Place Historical State Park 4 mi southeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Squilchuck State Park 23 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
- Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park 27 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
- Wanapum Recreation Area 27 mi east · Pets allowed under park rules
- Yakima Sportsman State Park 29 mi south · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 5 more in the list above
Swimming near Ellensburg
- Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park 27 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
- Wanapum Recreation Area 27 mi east · Beach, pool or swim area
- Wenatchee Confluence State Park 33 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lake Easton State Park 34 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Lincoln Rock State Park 39 mi north · Beach, pool or swim area
Hiking near Ellensburg
- Olmstead Place Historical State Park 4 mi southeast · Hiking trails listed
- Squilchuck State Park 23 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park 27 mi east · Hiking trails listed
- Wanapum Recreation Area 27 mi east · Hiking trails listed
- Yakima Sportsman State Park 29 mi south · Hiking trails listed
+ 5 more in the list above
Fishing near Ellensburg
- Olmstead Place Historical State Park 4 mi southeast · Fishing listed
- Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park 27 mi east · Fishing listed
- Wanapum Recreation Area 27 mi east · Fishing listed
- Yakima Sportsman State Park 29 mi south · Fishing listed
- Wenatchee Confluence State Park 33 mi north · Fishing listed
+ 2 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Ellensburg
What is the closest state park to Ellensburg?
Olmstead Place Historical State Park is the closest, about 4 miles southeast of Ellensburg in a straight line. Next are Squilchuck State Park and Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park.
How many state parks are near Ellensburg?
10 state park units are within 50 miles, and 2 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Ellensburg have camping?
7 parks list camping, the nearest being Squilchuck State Park, Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park and Wanapum Recreation Area. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Ellensburg?
Yes, at 10 parks, including Olmstead Place Historical State Park, Squilchuck State Park and Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Ellensburg?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near Yakima, WA28 mi south
- Near Wenatchee, WA32 mi north
- Near Moses Lake, WA61 mi east
- Near Snoqualmie, WA72 mi northwest
- Near West Richland, WA73 mi southeast
- Near Bonney Lake, WA77 mi west
- Near Kent, WA83 mi west
- Near Kennewick, WA86 mi southeast
Or see all Washington state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.