Southeast Washington Overview

Southeastern Washington is the heart of Washington's wine country, as well as one of the best apple producing regions in the world. Known worldwide for its agricultural bounty, the Yakima valley is especially lush with apples, hops, and of course, grapes.

Walla Walla rivals Napa Valley in terms of wine destinations. Excellent fishing along the Columbia and Snake rivers or golfing or biking around the sunny rolling hills brings visitors to this beautiful temperate weather region throughout the year.

Links to Detailed Coverage

Biking in Southeast Washington

Yakima and the Tri-Cities area are great examples of why many consider Washington to offer some of the best road biking and touring in the US. There is very little traffic in this area, and bike lanes and wide shoulders can sometimes be found in even the more remote roads west of Pullman. Scenic State Highway 14 follows the Washington side of the Columbia river from Richland to Vancouver, and the gentle downhills along the river make for a memorial ride.

Boating and Fishing in Southeast Washington

The Columbia River and the lower Snake River meander through the southeast corner of Washington, and are another popular destination for water recreation. Lake Wallula, just south of the Tri-Cities, is a wide open, glassy lake perfect for water skiing and wakeboarding.

Southeastern Washington tends to be drier and flatter than other points in the state, but the Columbia river at Lake Wallula, south of the Tri-Cities area offers great lake fishing. Tucked in far corner of Washington, the blue ribbon Snake River meanders through the countryside, and is a great location for early season fly fishing.

Hiking in Southeast Washington

The southeast region of Washington is dominated by farmland and vineyards, but some unique hiking is available. Yakima is a great departure point for an excursion into the Mount Rainier area, and beautiful hiking through fern and wildflower woodlands along the Columbia River Gorge is a great break from a day of windsurfing the river.

Skiing / Snowboarding in Southeast Washington

Tucked in the southeast corner of Washington in the Blue Mountains, Bluewood is a great escape from "cascade cement." High altitude and clear skies, with dry, unlimited powder is only a short drive from Walla Walla or Clarkston.