Exploring Yakima Lower Valley Road Trip (Part 3 of 3): Fort Simcoe
By Clay Graham / Eastern Washington Adventures
Photo by Clay Graham / Eastern Washington Adventures
On the morning of Monday August 22nd, 2011 we left Wanapum State Park campground from our
Eastern Washington Adventures Exploring Vantage Road Trip and headed down the
Columbia River exploring. Next we headed down to the Lower Yakima Valley to see some sites. Our third of three places to see was the Fort Simcoe, Washington.
Fort Simcoe is a Washington State Park and requires a
Discover Pass.
Just for your info:
Quote:
Park overview:Fort Simcoe State Park is a 200-acre, day-use heritage park in south central Washington on the Yakama Indian Nation Reservation. The park is primarily an interpretive effort, telling the story of mid-19th century army life and providing insights into the lifeways of local Native American culture. Located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in an old oak grove watered by natural springs, Fort Simcoe was an 1850's-era military installation established to keep peace between the settlers and the Indians. Due to its unique historic significance, the park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in June, 1974. Before the fort era, the site was an Indian campground where many trails crossed.
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We had a great time seeing the history at Fort Simcoe State Park. As we were walking to the last building to look at, we saw a bear in the park. My wife and I kept sight of the bear as we took turns looking in the last building (Interpretive Center). The Park Aid came up and I showed him the bear. He said that she had been hanging around the park for two years and had her cubs there too. The bears were hard in the fruit trees. The Park Aid said the bear was use to people being around. We walked way around the bear to get back to the truck.
This was a very fun time for my family at Fort Simcoe State Park.
See full report with 90 photos at: http://www.easternwashingtonadventur...oe-Aug-22-2011