🌤 Weather at Olmstead Place Historical State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28–69 °F | 48–85 °F | 26–76 °F | 20–43 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Ellensburg, 3 mi away, elevation 1,480 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Olmstead Place Historical State Park preserves a working pioneer homestead on 217 acres in the Kittitas Valley, about four miles east of Ellensburg, Washington. The Olmstead family settled the claim in 1875 and farmed it for three generations; it became a state park in 1968. This is a day-use park — you walk the grounds, follow the interpretive trail along Coleman Creek, and can book a guided tour of the historic buildings.
Quick Facts
| State | Washington |
| Address | 921 N Ferguson Road, Ellensburg, WA 98926 |
| County | Kittitas County |
| Park Size | 217 acres |
| Established | Homestead 1875; state park 1968 |
| Hours | Summer 6:30 a.m. to dusk; winter 8:00 a.m. to dusk |
| Fees | Discover Pass required: $10 per day or $45 per year |
| Phone | (509) 968-5298 |
| Use | Day use only — no camping; fires are not permitted |
| Dogs | Allowed on leash |
| Accessibility | Accessible restrooms, accessible parking |
Hours, fees, phone and address verified against the official Washington State Parks page on 9 August 2026.
Location & Getting There
The park sits at 921 N Ferguson Road, about four miles east of Ellensburg off Kittitas Highway. Official coordinates are 46.9765014, -120.4725113. Parking is on site, and the grounds are flat enough that much of the farmstead is reachable without a climb.
Things to Do
Washington state parks offer an incredible diversity of outdoor recreation — from the rain-soaked old-growth forests of the Olympic Peninsula to the volcanic landscapes of the Cascades, the arid canyonlands of Eastern Washington, and the island-dotted waters of Puget Sound. Popular activities include hiking through moss-draped temperate rainforests, beachcombing on wild Pacific shores, kayaking through the San Juan Islands, camping beneath towering Douglas firs, fishing for salmon and steelhead in glacier-fed rivers, rock climbing basalt columns, mountain biking forested trails, and cross-country skiing in winter. Many parks also offer historical interpretation, including military forts, pioneer homesteads, and Native American cultural sites.
Best Time to Visit
Washington’s outdoor season varies dramatically by region. Western Washington (including the coast and Puget Sound parks) is driest and warmest from June through September — this is peak season. Spring and fall bring fewer crowds and mild temperatures but expect rain. Eastern Washington parks enjoy more sunshine year-round, with hot summers and cold, snowy winters. The San Juan Islands are best visited May through September for whale watching (orcas) and calm seas. Mountain parks in the Cascades open as snow melts, typically July through October. Winter transforms many parks into cross-country skiing and snowshoeing destinations. Always carry rain gear west of the Cascades, regardless of season.
Visitor Tips
Washington state parks require a Discover Pass ($30/year or $10/day) for vehicle access. Purchase one online through the Washington State Parks website before your visit — it covers all 100+ state parks. Camping reservations are made through the state parks reservation system up to 9 months in advance. Popular parks like Deception Pass and Cape Disappointment book months ahead for summer weekends. Many parks in the San Juans and islands are accessible only by ferry or boat — check Washington State Ferries schedules in advance. Cell service can be unreliable, especially on the coast and in mountain parks.
Explore More Washington State Parks
Olmstead Place Historical State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Washington. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Washington guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
This is a farm museum rather than a wilderness park, and the buildings are the point. The Olmstead family’s 1875 log cabin still stands, together with the Smith House Museum, the hay barn and outbuildings, and the Seaton school house, moved here from elsewhere in the valley. Farm equipment sits out where it was used, and an heirloom garden grows beside the houses.
Coleman Creek runs the length of the property, and the Altapes Interpretive Trail follows it from one end of the park to the other — a short walk with interpretive panels rather than a hike. Fields, freshwater and open mountain views make up the setting; seasonal wildflowers come up in the meadows, and wildlife viewing is one of the park’s listed features. Creek fishing is open June 1 through October 31. In winter the fields are used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and no Sno-Park permit is required.
Nearby Attractions
Ellensburg — four miles west — has Central Washington University, downtown galleries, and the Ellensburg Rodeo over Labor Day weekend. Thorp Grist Mill, a restored 1883 flour mill, is roughly 10 miles west. Umtanum Ridge offers hiking about 10 miles south, and the Kittitas Valley around the park produces hay, cattle and hops.
More parks nearby: Iron Horse State Park and its Palouse to Cascades Trail pass close by, and Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park lies about 30 miles east.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Olmstead Place Historical State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in most Washington state parks but must be under physical control on a leash at all times.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- 8 ft maximum leash required; pets must be under physical control
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted on designated swim beaches
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed inside vacation houses but are permitted in designated pet-friendly cabins and yurts (e.g. Grayland Beach, Seaquest, Ike Kinswa — Cape Disappointment does NOT allow pets in its yurts), typically up to two pets, with a pet fee
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use pet fee; $15 per night pet fee in pet-friendly cabins/yurts
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Director-designated off-leash areas are exempt from the leash rule and are conspicuously posted
Are dogs allowed at Olmstead Place Historical State Park?
Pets are allowed in most Washington state parks but must be under physical control on a leash at all times. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via parks.wa.gov. More: Washington state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Olmstead Place Historical State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
