The Yakima River Greenway encompasses 3,600 acres east of the city, connecting Selah, Yakima, and Union Gap along a 10-mile paved biking and walking path.
Cowiche Canyon is a scenic and remote rocky canyon just a few minutes west of Naches. The abandoned railroad line ribbons along and across Cowiche Creek, passing distinctive rock formations, with some that resemble the Easter Island faces. The canyon is managed by Cowiche Canyon Conservancy (509/966-8608;www.cowichecanyon.org), which produces a brochure on the three-mile trail. To continue your journey, follow the out-and-back Uplands Trail spur off of the main trail. You can follow that about 1.5 miles to a shady grove of birch trees before returning.