Former rail-bed canyon trail system

Cowiche Canyon Trail System

6.5 road mi · about 17 min

Cowiche Canyon Trail System offers nearly 13 miles of unpaved non-motorized trails about 6.5 road miles from Yakima Valley Trolleys.

The place

About Cowiche Canyon Trail System

Cowiche Canyon Trail System is a Bureau of Land Management and Cowiche Canyon Conservancy partnership protecting nearly 900 acres near Yakima. Its non-motorized trail network crosses basalt canyon and shrub-steppe landscapes.

The 2.9-mile Cowiche Canyon Trail follows a former Burlington Northern rail bed and crosses Cowiche Creek on eleven bridges. The official history says the railroad was built in 1913, abandoned in 1984, and the tracks and three rail bridges were removed in 1987.

Four small trailheads serve nearly 13 miles of unpaved trails. Trailer parking is available only at the railroad-grade trailheads, not Summitview or Scenic. The system is day-use only, and motor vehicles, camping, campfires and firearm discharge are prohibited.

Official guidance warns that poison ivy is abundant along the creek and requires dogs to remain under control with waste removed. No current fee schedule, operating hours, accessible-parking inventory or complete wheelchair route was published, so confirm conditions and choose a route conservatively.

What stands out

Walk a former railroad grade

Follow the 2.9-mile Cowiche Canyon Trail and its eleven creek bridge crossings.

Read basalt geology

See canyon walls formed by Columbia River flood basalts and younger andesite.

Choose an upland route

Use the broader trail system for shrub-steppe views and seasonal wildflowers.

Protect a sensitive landscape

Follow day-use, non-motorized and fire restrictions in the protected area.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Yakima Valley Trolleys trip

Cowiche Canyon adds a direct rail-to-trail connection after the operating trolley: its main canyon trail follows a former railroad grade. The Scenic Trailhead route measured about 6.5 driving miles from the Pine Street carbarn.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • UseDay use only; current official page does not publish a precise daily opening-hour window.
  • TrailsNearly 13 miles of unpaved trails, including a 2.9-mile former rail-bed canyon trail with eleven bridge crossings.
  • TrailheadsFour small trailheads; trailer parking only at railroad-grade trailheads, not Summitview or Scenic.
  • FeesNo current admission or parking fee schedule was published on the reviewed official page; confirm before travel.
  • Surface and accessTrails are unpaved and no complete current wheelchair-route or accessible-parking inventory is published.
  • Poison ivyPoison ivy is abundant along the creek; protect people and pets.
  • DogsDogs must remain under control, and visitors must remove pet waste.
  • ProhibitedMotorized vehicles, campfires, camping and firearm discharge are prohibited.

Add indoor regional history

Add Yakima Valley Museum

Pair the canyon's rail-bed history and geology with a large indoor Yakima Valley collection.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

How many miles of trail are available?

The official page describes nearly 13 miles of unpaved trails across the Cowiche Canyon system.

Is there a rail-trail route?

Yes. The 2.9-mile Cowiche Canyon Trail follows a former railroad grade and crosses Cowiche Creek on eleven bridges.

Is the trail system open overnight?

No. It is day-use only, and camping and campfires are prohibited. A precise current daily hour window is not published.

Can visitors bring a trailer?

Trailer parking is available at the railroad-grade trailheads only, not at Summitview or Scenic Trailheads.

Are dogs allowed?

Dogs must remain under control, and visitors must remove pet waste. Poison ivy is abundant along the creek.

Are the trails wheelchair-accessible?

The official page describes unpaved trails but publishes no complete wheelchair route or accessible-parking inventory. Confirm a specific route before travel.

How far is Scenic Trailhead from the trolley?

The public driving route measured about 6.5 miles and seventeen minutes from the Pine Street carbarn; actual route and traffic can vary.

Do the photos prove current trail conditions or blooms?

No. The four works date from 2010, 2017 and 2021 and do not establish current water, vegetation, surfaces, signage, weather or access.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-17. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.