Glamping near Ellensburg, Washington offers visitors diverse accommodations across the semi-arid Kittitas Valley, where summer temperatures reach 85°F+ and winters drop below freezing. The region sits at approximately 1,500 feet elevation, creating a transition zone between the Cascade Mountains to the west and the Columbia Basin's desert terrain to the east.
What to do
River recreation: Explore the Yakima River from Whispering Pines RV Campground where paths follow the riverbank for hiking or fishing. "There are nice paths that go to the Yakima river or along side it. Just on the other side of the freeway is the town of Cle Elum with nice bakeries and breweries," notes Patrick J.
Nearby wine tasting: Visit central Washington wine country using Wenatchee River County Park as your base. This location sits between Leavenworth and Wenatchee, providing convenient access to numerous vineyards. One visitor shared, "About 20 mins to Leavenworth and 15 mins to Wenatchee. Friendly staff. PPA discount allowed Monday-Thursday making this place a GREAT deal."
Wildlife viewing: Observe waterfowl and amphibians at Yakima Sportsman State Park Campground, which features a marshy pond area adjacent to camping sites. "Near to the campground there is a wonderful little marshy pond that has plenty of water fowl and frogs to enjoy watching," shares Jill R.
What campers like
Off-road opportunities: Riders Camp Campground provides direct access to ORV trails near Cle Elum. "This is a great place to camp and ride ORVs. They have a beginners loop trailhead attached to this site as well as a trail head to a larger trail system," explains Bruce S., adding that the fee is only $5 per night.
Clean facilities: Many luxurious glamping sites maintain exceptional cleanliness standards. At Whispering Pines RV Campground, campers appreciate the well-maintained amenities. "Clean restrooms, everything well maintained," writes Patrick J., while another camper noted, "The bathrooms were pristine, and the hookups worked great."
River access: Sites along waterways rank highly among glampers seeking natural water features. "The sites are very close together and you share the site utilities. The common grounds are well-kept. The pool was clean and checked/serviced each day," reports Cande D. about Squaw Rock RV Resort and Campground.
What you should know
Road and rail noise: Many glamping sites near Ellensburg experience transportation noise due to their location. "The road noise was loud and a little obnoxious. There's also a train that goes through here but the train noise doesn't bother me like freeway noise does," explains Laura M. about Wenatchee River County Park.
Weather extremes: Prepare for significant temperature variations. At Windy Point Campground, "It was pretty dang hot here in the summer, more of a desert type of feel. We were super worried about rattlesnakes because we heard this part of Washington has tons during the summer," reports Skylar M.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely across glamping sites. At Squaw Rock RV Resort, "You're in a valley with NO cell service. Wi-Fi in the park is non-existent. There's a weak signal near the office," notes Cande D., which differs significantly from other locations.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Sites with dedicated play areas enhance family glamping experiences. "There is plenty of space for kids to play and visibility is high for bike riding. There is a huge group campsite that has bathrooms near it. The surrounding grounds is a park with playground equipment and a huge field," explains Mary C. about Yakima Sportsman State Park.
Consider cabins for comfort: Lake Easton State Park Campground offers cabin accommodations that work well for families needing more structure. "Nice state campground, well kept, beautiful lake if you can get one of the lakeside spots," notes Laura M., while another visitor mentioned the "nice beach for little kids to swim and play in the sand."
Plan for noise disruptions: Family sleep schedules can be affected by location. "Noisy, noisy, noisy, and noisy. From the sound of the highway to the insurmountable number of inconsiderate neighbors... forget getting any sleep," cautions Kate I. about Lake Easton State Park. Bring noise machines or earplugs for light sleepers.
Tips from RVers
Book midweek for discounts: Many glamping sites offer significant savings on non-weekend stays. At Wenatchee River County Park, "The 50% Passport America discount is weeknights only, April and October only, for up to 5 nights," according to Laura M.
Plan for utility limitations: Understand hookup configurations before arrival. "Single utility service serves two sites. The water spigot has a Y splitter to share a single water connection. Power has one 30 Amp and one 50 Amp socket. The first rig arriving gets to choose which one they want to use," explains Cande D. about Squaw Rock RV Resort.
Bring extra hose length: Connection points may not align with standard RV configurations. "Bring an extra hose because your connection may be at the front right of your camper," advises Thomas M. regarding hookup locations at Squaw Rock RV Resort.
