Yelm, WA

Gateway to Mount Rainier—and so much more. Nicknamed “the pride of the prairie,” Yelm sits at the intersection of nature and culture, past and present.

Located in Southeastern Thurston County and nestled along the Nisquilly river, pioneer John Longmire forged the modern-day path to Mount Rainier, and an entrance and a lodge in the national park are named for him. (Yelm is also the hometown of the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Rainier. Fay Fuller got all the way to the top in 1890—wearing a dress.)

Yelm Community Guide

Yelm—a version of the Nisqually word “shelm,” which refers to light when it shimmers in the heat—continues to be the gateway to Washington’s iconic mountain, and today it’s a hub of life for a young population, a growing arts scene, shopping and dining, and proximity to nature.

Top 10 Things to Do in Yelm

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Unique Experiences in Yelm

Yelm Water Tower

Mount Rainier isn’t the only thing that looms large over Yelm. So does Yelm’s iconic water tower, albeit to a slightly lesser degree. The 125-foot decommissioned tower is a preserved historic site and has been described as Yelm’s version of Seattle’s Space Needle. It’s the beneficiary of a recent paint job and light system that brightens the night.

Yelm Cinemas & Uptown Lounge

Dinner and a movie? Enjoy new releases from the comfort of leather recliners, with bottomless popcorn and soda, at Yelm Cinemas. Pair that with dinner at Uptown Lounge, a 21-plus restaurant-bar with hand-crafted cocktails and a crowd pleasing menu.

Nisqually Valley BBQ Rally

At this annual meat fest at Yelm City Park, amateur Q’ers compete for prizes against the backdrop of live music, activities for kids, a beer garden, and vendors.

Biking & Hiking Trails

Pick up a bike or stretch your legs on a section (or all) of the 14-mile Yelm-Rainier Tenino Trail, a former rail line. Along the way, stop to admire the graffiti wall — the longest free art wall in the Northwest — a creation kept up by a local graffiti artist and his friends. From there, pick up the Chehalis Western Trail and follow the path of an old timber railroad route, or take the Prairie Line trail from Yelm Avenue to the Centralia Power Canal.

Sweet Boutiques

Find home decor, accessories, art, and clothing at Yelm’s unique boutiques, like The Shiplap Shop & Coffee House, Between Sisters Boutique, BeJoyful Holistics, and InGenius! Local Artisan Gallery and Boutique.

507 Taproom & Filling Station

With 18 taps and more than 200 beers— including many local brands—as well as cider and wine, 507 Taproom is a local favorite. Gather here to watch the game, or bring the party outside to hang out with friends around a fire pit.

Parks

Yelm City Park is the place to be, with a splash pad for kids and the Prairie Days Festival in the summer, Christmas in the Park in winter, and fun for all ages year round. Those who like wheels will enjoy Yelm’s Bike and Skate Park; for those who enjoy a slower pace, Cochrane Memorial Park provides wildlife sightings and catch-and-release trout fishing.

Yelm Historical Museum

In a little house and run by the Yelm Prairie Historical Society, this museum holds artifacts of prairie history from the Nisqually days through the pioneer settlements, including a buggy from the 1880s.

Festivals and Farmers Markets

Summers in Yelm means something to do nearly every weekend. Yelm City Park holds festivals, like Jazz in the Park and a Mermaid Festival. On Saturdays between May and September, enjoy the vendors at the Yelm Farmers Market.

Tahoma Valley Golf Course

Break out the five irons on Yelm’s golf course, known as (believe it or not) one of the driest courses in the Pacific Northwest. This course offers iconic views of Mount Rainier, golf pros to help you perfect your putt, and a restaurant on site. A day on the greens in Yelm is a day well spent.

Yelm Businesses, Restaurants, and Attractions

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