Things To Do on an eBike in Yakima County, WA
This guide covers 3 distinct rides: the Yakima Greenway from Union Gap to Naches, the Cowiche Canyon Trail west of Yakima, and the Lower Yakima Valley Pathway from Sunnyside toward Prosser. Cowiche Canyon Conservancy says Class 1 pedal-assisted eBikes are allowed at Cowiche Canyon. For the two paved paths, check the posted signs for your bike class.
Where to ride in Yakima County
Start with the Yakima Greenway. The Yakima Greenway Foundation describes it as a 20-mile bike and pedestrian pathway connecting the communities of Union Gap, Yakima, Selah and Naches. TrailLink lists it at 22.9 miles with an asphalt surface, so plan your battery for the longer figure.
The Naches rail trail is part of the Greenway, not a separate ride. Yakima County's Links and Resources page says the Greenway historically extended from Union Gap to 40th Ave. and Fruitvale Blvd., and that the Naches Rail-to-Trail, a 10+ mile extension from the Greenway's 40th Ave. terminus to the Naches Train Depot, created the 20 mile trail.
For dirt, the Cowiche Canyon Trail is a 2.9-mile former rail line run by Cowiche Canyon Conservancy, six miles west of downtown Yakima. In the Lower Valley, TrailLink lists the Lower Yakima Valley Pathway as a 14-mile paved rail-trail from Sunnyside to Prosser, crossing Yakima and Benton counties.
eBike shop hubs
Use the city directory to find shops, and call before you drive. The directory shows one city in Yakima County, Yakima, with a count of 4.
The county hub, Yakima County eBike shops, has the full shop list.
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Yakima Greenway, Union Gap to Naches
Distance and surface: 20 miles per the Yakima Greenway Foundation, 22.9 miles per TrailLink. TrailLink lists the surface as asphalt and the end points as Second St. in Naches and E. Valley Mall Blvd. and I-82 in Union Gap.
Sections: The Greenway parks page names three pathways. The Noel Pathway connects Sarg Hubbard Park and Sherman Park along the Yakima River. The Plath Pathway runs along the Naches River between Yakima and Naches. The Jewett Pathway connects Robertsons Landing to Valley Mall Blvd. Near the Naches end, a state grant helped Yakima County build a 4.6 mile paved section from the town of Naches to the community of Gleed, with two trailheads that include pit toilets and parking lots at Old Naches Highway and Orchard Rite Rd. The grant page calls it non-motorized paved trail.
Mileposts from Sarg Hubbard Park: The Greenway Foundation lists, traveling north, Rotary Lake Restroom at 2.75 miles, Harlan Landing Restroom at 3.5 miles and Myron Lake Parking Lot at 5.7 miles. Traveling south, it lists Sherman Park Parking Lot at 1.28 miles and the Union Gap/Valley Mall Blvd. Parking Lot at 3.3 miles.
Parking: TrailLink suggests Sarg Hubbard Park on S. 18th Street, the Yakima Area Arboretum on Arboretum Drive and the E. Valley Mall Boulevard terminus for the southern section. For the northern section it lists the Historic Naches Train Depot and Chesterley Park at 40th Avenue and River Road.
eBike rule: The Greenway Foundation pages cited here do not state an eBike rule. Under RCW 46.61.710, Class 1 and Class 2 eBikes may use a shared-use path unless a local jurisdiction or state agency restricts them, and Class 3 may not unless a local jurisdiction allows it. Read the posted signs at each trailhead, and ask Yakima County about the non-motorized Naches to Gleed section.
Yakima Greenway on TrailLink | Yakima Greenway Foundation | Yakima County Links and Resources
2. Cowiche Canyon Trail
Distance and surface: Cowiche Canyon Conservancy describes a 2.9-mile former rail line with nine creek crossings. From the east end, the first 0.75 miles is hard packed crushed gravel. After that the trail narrows and gets significantly more uneven, with some rocks in the trailbed. A bridge crossing has a lip about 4 inches high.
eBike rule: The Conservancy's trail rules say Class 1 (pedal-assisted) eBikes are allowed at Cowiche Canyon, Rocky Top and Konnowac Pass, but not in the Uplands of Snow Mountain Ranch. Full throttle or non-pedal assisted e-bikes are not allowed on Conservancy-owned lands. Mountain bikers are asked to respect a 15 mph speed limit.
Trailheads: The Conservancy lists four trailheads into the Cowiche Canyon system: Cowiche Canyon East, Cowiche Canyon West (Weikel), Scenic (Uplands) and Summitview. The East trailhead has parking for around 20 vehicles, garbage and a toilet.
Mud: The Conservancy asks riders to turn back if they are clearly leaving tracks in mud, because its shrub-steppe trails are prone to rutting when wet.
Cowiche Canyon Conservancy trail rules | Cowiche Canyon lands and trails
3. Lower Yakima Valley Pathway, Sunnyside to Grandview
Distance and surface: TrailLink lists 14 miles of asphalt from Morgan Rd. in Sunnyside to Wine Country Rd. in Prosser, with 6.5 miles from the eastern edge of Sunnyside to Grandview. It describes the trail as 8 feet wide, with some hills and road crossings.
On-road gap: TrailLink says a 1.5-mile section runs on the roadway from Grandview Park & Ride to the East Grandview trailhead, where water is available.
Parking: TrailLink lists parking by the Mid Valley Mall at Yakima Valley Highway and E. Edison Avenue in Sunnyside, and the Grandview Park & Ride and East Grandview trailhead on CR 12/Wine Country Road.
Heat: TrailLink warns of extremely hot summers and says the path offers little shade.
eBike rule: No manager eBike rule was found for this path. RCW 46.61.710 applies to shared-use paths, so check the posted signs for your class.
Lower Yakima Valley Pathway on TrailLink (third party)
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day, river pathway: Park at Sarg Hubbard Park on S. 18th Street. Ride south to the Sherman Park Parking Lot at 1.28 miles, then on to the Union Gap/Valley Mall Blvd. Parking Lot at 3.3 miles. Out and back is about 6.6 miles.
Half day, canyon gravel: Start at the Cowiche Canyon East trailhead on a Class 1 bike. The first 0.75 miles is the smoothest gravel. Ride the full 2.9 miles only if you are comfortable with rocks and creek crossings, and turn back if the trail is muddy.
Full day, Lower Valley: Park by the Mid Valley Mall in Sunnyside and ride 6.5 miles to Grandview, then back. Go early in summer, carry extra water and refill at the East Grandview trailhead if you continue past the on-road gap.
What not to ride
A throttle eBike on Cowiche Canyon Conservancy land. Full throttle or non-pedal assisted e-bikes are not allowed there.
Any eBike in the Uplands of Snow Mountain Ranch. The Conservancy says Class 1 eBikes are not allowed there, and that mountain biking at Snow Mountain Ranch is prohibited above the ditch bank.
A Class 3 eBike on a shared-use path. RCW 46.61.710 bars Class 3 from shared-use paths except where a local jurisdiction allows it.
A muddy Conservancy trail. If you are leaving tracks, turn around.
When to ride Yakima County
TrailLink warns of extremely hot summers with little shade on the Lower Yakima Valley Pathway, so ride it early on summer days and carry extra water. Save Cowiche Canyon for dry days, because the Conservancy says its trails are prone to rutting when wet.
Washington eBike rules for these routes
Persons under sixteen years of age may not operate a class 3 electric-assisted bicycle (RCW 46.20.500). Class 1 and class 2 electric-assisted bicycles may be operated on a shared-use path, but local jurisdictions or state agencies may restrict or otherwise limit their access (RCW 46.61.710). Class 3 electric-assisted bicycles may not be operated on a shared-use path, except where local jurisdictions allow it. Cowiche Canyon Conservancy sets its own eBike rules on its land. Our Washington eBike laws guide has more.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start riding an eBike in Yakima County?
Start with the Yakima Greenway. TrailLink lists it at 22.9 miles of asphalt from Union Gap to Naches, and suggests Sarg Hubbard Park on S. 18th Street as a place to park for the southern section.
How long is the Yakima Greenway?
The Yakima Greenway Foundation describes a 20-mile bike and pedestrian pathway connecting Union Gap, Yakima, Selah and Naches. TrailLink lists it as 22.9 miles long.
Is the Naches Rail-to-Trail a separate ride from the Greenway?
No. Yakima County says the Naches Rail-to-Trail is a 10+ mile extension from the Greenway's 40th Ave. terminus to the Naches Train Depot, and that it created the 20 mile Greenway trail.
Are eBikes allowed at Cowiche Canyon?
Cowiche Canyon Conservancy says Class 1 (pedal-assisted) eBikes are allowed at Cowiche Canyon, Rocky Top and Konnowac Pass, but not in the Uplands of Snow Mountain Ranch. Full throttle or non-pedal assisted e-bikes are not allowed on Conservancy-owned lands.
How long is the Lower Yakima Valley Pathway?
TrailLink lists 14 miles of asphalt from Sunnyside to Prosser, including 6.5 miles from Sunnyside to Grandview and a 1.5-mile on-road section in Grandview.
Can I ride an eBike on a shared-use path in Washington?
Class 1 and class 2 electric-assisted bicycles may be operated on a shared-use path, but local jurisdictions or state agencies may restrict or otherwise limit their access. Class 3 electric-assisted bicycles may not be operated on a shared-use path, except where local jurisdictions allow it.
Is there an age rule for Class 3 eBikes?
Persons under sixteen years of age may not operate a class 3 electric-assisted bicycle.
Where can I rent an eBike in Yakima County?
Check the Rental shops section on this page, then call the shop before you plan a ride.
Rental shops
Call before planning around inventory, shuttles or trail permission.
Ride on Bike Rentals🚲 Rentals
All eBike shops in Yakima County
See the Yakima County eBike shops and repair contacts page for the shop directory. For rules, see the Washington eBike laws guide, and for more guides browse the eBikeListings blog.