Yelm is a small city in Thurston County, Washington. The population was 10,617 at the 2020 census. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Washington. In 2001, it was the 10th-fastest-growing city in the state. Here are some things to do in the area.
Deschutes Falls Park
If you’re looking for a quiet place to enjoy nature, you can find it at Deschutes Falls Park, a 155-acre Thurston County park located near Yelm. This place offers a view of the nearby Deschutes River and the mighty falls. It’s also a great place to hike and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty.
There are many hiking trails and waterfalls in the surrounding area, and it’s possible to spend the entire day exploring the natural beauty. You can drive or take a bus into Yelm and explore the surrounding area. You’ll also find a full-length 18-hole golf course and a scenic view of Mount Rainier. There’s also the Pioneer Farm Museum, which takes visitors back to early 19th century homesteading in Washington. You can even take a hands-on tour and learn about pioneer farming. Lastly, you can watch a movie at Yelm Cinemas, which is one of the best movie theaters in the state.
Another great attraction in Yelm is Rocky Brook Falls. This horsetail waterfall plunges over rocky rock formations and falls into a clear pool below. The clear water is a popular spot for swimming in the summer. Nearby beaches are also worth exploring, as are hiking trails in nearby Dosewallips State Park.
There are several viewpoints along the river. From the middle viewpoint, you can see the top of the big falls, and a smaller waterfall that tumbles behind a tree that stretches across the canyon. From here, you can walk across a small, level bridge that crosses the creek. From here, you can also get a partial view of the falls from the river.
Tahoma Valley Golf Course
If you’re a golf fan, Tahoma Valley Golf Course is a must-visit in Yelm. This course is the best place to get a game of golf in Yelm. Its course is ranked as one of the driest in the Puget Sound, but the greens are immaculate. The 18-hole course is just under 7,000 yards and features wide, forgiving fairways.
You’ll also find a beautiful eight-lane bowling alley in the downtown area. This location hosts recreational bowling leagues and fundraisers, and it’s also a fun place to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. It’s a great place to bring your friends and family.
Pioneer Farm Museum
The Pioneer Farm Museum is a hands-on homestead from the 1880s. Visitors can learn about pioneer life through tours and activities that are fun for the whole family. Activities include churning cream and ice cream, washing clothes, carding wool, and dressing up like pioneers. They can also curl their hair with an antique curling iron or shave with an old-fashioned straight razor.
Prairie Lanes bowling alley
If you’re looking for a fun, affordable bowling alley in Yelm, Washington, then Prairie Lanes is a great choice. They host both short fun prize leagues and sanctioned leagues, and are also perfect for parties, reunions, and fundraisers. They also serve a variety of food and have a full bar for your convenience.
The alley is very popular with locals and has eight lanes for those who are looking for something different. They offer leagues for all skill levels, including a 3 person mixed league that is themed around a different NFL team. The league starts in September and runs for 25 weeks. The winning team gets a choice of tickets to the Big Ten basketball or football championship.
In the five-year history of the alley, Beadle bought the 5,500-square-foot building for retirement in 2007. In early 2008, he reopened it as a bowling alley. He had participated in a college bowling league as a student in 1973. Although he didn’t have any experience with bowling when he bought the building, he knew enough about the industry to save it from closure.
Prairie Lanes is located on the corner of Second Street and Yelm Avenue. It hosts a variety of events and birthday parties. The alley has just four leagues this year, and most of its revenue comes from league operations. The alley also hosts a number of fundraisers and events. Although it is not a competitive bowling alley, it’s a great place for a family outing.
