Naches

The byway’s end point, Naches, is a tiny community 13 miles northwest of Yakima near the banks of the Naches River. The town is a gateway between the wild forests of the Cascades and the fruit orchards of the Yakima Valley. The portion you see from the highway does not tell the full story of this small farm community; pull off the road to cruise the downtown core to get a better picture.

The area was settled in the 1850s, when some of the members of the Longmire wagon train decided to opt for the region’s warmer, drier climes instead of pushing on to the rainy Pacific coast. Pull into Naches’ quaint little downtown for some antique shopping and local dining.

The Naches Valley is an agricultural area with a bounty of fruit orchards (primarily apple and pear) and vineyards. Be sure to load up on fresh-picked seasonal fruits and vegetables at the many roadside stands.

SUGGESTED NEARBY ROAD TRIPS:

White Pass Scenic Byway