I grew up camping with my family and extended family. I have fond memories of running around in the woods, sleeping in tents and making s’mores over a campfire. Yet, for some reason I have little interest in camping with my own kids. Not wanting to deprive them of a valuable life experience, I’ve come around to the idea of “glamping.” Over the past few years, we’ve found several fun glampsites around the Pacific Northwest. Places that allow us to feel like we’re camping with the benefits of home (specifically a toilet and shower).
A more recent addition to the scene is ROAM Beyond with two unique locations in Washington state. ROAM Beyond opened its Olympic National Park location in 2019. Its River Canyon location near Ellensburg opened in 2020.
Facts first, the company’s eco-glampers are cute. They’re also cozy, sleeping 2-4 people. While you’ll have the luxuries you need – running water, a toilet and a small kitchen, you’re also getting a sustainable and socially conscious lodging experience. The trailers run on solar power.
While this might be the summer of the RV rental, going the route of ROAM Beyond is a much easier experience. Just show up. No need to worry about rental contracts, extra auto insurance, or finding a campsite. With ROAM Beyond, it’s all taken care of.
Accommodations
There are a few styles of mobile dwellings. Our unit slept four. It had a queen bed and bunk beds. There’s another option for a family of three that has a queen bed and a twin.
Each unit has a kitchenette with a refrigerator. Although it’s a mini-fridge, it’s big enough to hold a gallon of milk and food for a few days. There’s decent counter space inside for food preparation or storage. Meals are best served outside.
The bathroom is tiny with just a small toilet and a shower. You won’t be able to run a long shower. This is a turn on and rinse off situation. There’s a hot water heater that you’re instructed to turn on before your shower. Full disclosure – our shower was never hot.
The small unit had lots of cubbies for storage and a ton of outlets for charging devices. We also liked that it had plenty of windows. When opened, there was a nice cross-breeze.
The accommodations are cute and modern, but small. It can get cramped when everyone is inside moving around. Even more reason to get outside and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings.
Upon arrival, your host will show you to your cabin and review instructions with you. There are various power switches and water dials. It’s easy enough to operate, but it’s helpful to have someone explain it all to you.
You won’t be able to park right at your site. Not to worry, though. There are golf carts and wagons available that make it easy to get your stuff to you unit. Your host will help you out.
If you’re traveling with a larger group, you can book cabins together and enjoy a shared outdoor space that includes a tented living room area.
Rates start at $249 a night.
Things To Do
There’s a lot of outdoor recreation in this area. Do some research before you head out. There’s no WiFi here and cell service is limited. If you want to book a tubing experience or guided fishing trip, you may want to do that in advance.
Hiking
Just steps from the ROAM Beyond property line is the Umtanum Creek Recreation Site. Be sure to cross the suspension bridge over the river. There are trails in this area, but do your research, some are steep. Be on the lookout for snakes.
Tubing
You can rent a tube and float down the Yakima River. One of the outfitters is Yakima River Tubing. The launch site is just a short drive from the ROAM campsite. The floats take a few hours and are popular on weekends. We spoke with another family who went tubing with their two young children. They had a good time, but felt a little unprepared for the experience. Be sure to check in with Yakima River Tubing in advance to find out what you need to bring with you. The family was unaware they needed to bring paddles. It all worked out, but just double check before you go.
Fishing
If you’re interested in going fishing with the family, you can book a guided float trip with Red’s Fly Shop. You can also rent boats, rafts and tubes here.
Exploring
ROAM’s River Canyon site is located between Ellensburg and Yakima. Take a drive in either direction and explore one of these cities. We ventured out for lunch each day and discovered some fun playgrounds. No matter which direction you head, you’ll experience a beautiful drive through the Yakima River Canyon.
Special Events
Keep an eye on the ROAM Beyond website for special events. We attended the River, Forks, Canyon & Corks events featuring Seattle-area winemakers and chefs. Friday night’s dinner was a more casual burger bar served up by Chef Josh Henderson of Burb’s Burgers. His smash burgers are perfection. Saturday night’s meal was a multi-course affair featuring coffee and fennel crusted rack of lamb prepared by Chef Mike Easton. We had some of our best meals in months at a campsite. 2020 is full of surprises.
This was a fun opportunity to try new foods and wines and it was a treat not to cook while camping! We also enjoyed the opportunity to socialize with other campers. We met folks from around the Pacific Northwest. The parents in attendance enjoyed the chance to have what felt like a date night without having to hire a babysitter.
ROAM Beyond plans to schedule more events like this in the future. Of course, hosting events where you gather people together is a bit tricky right now and ROAM Beyond is committed to doing it safely. Family groups sat at separate tables, several feet apart, under a large tented area. Hand sanitizer was aplenty.
What To Pack
Your trailer may be small, but it’s equipped with what you need. Linen, bedding and towels are provided.
Inside the kitchenette, you’ll find plates, cups and silverware for four. There are a few small pots and pans for use on the induction stovetop as well as knives and BBQ tools. Your unit will have an outdoor grill, a fire pit (likely gas, possibly wood-burning) and a picnic table.
The glamper has a small water tank. You’ll be encouraged to use water sparingly, but if you do run out, your host can refill you. It might be useful to have paper plates for meals. Then again, you might not want to generate more waste, although you’ll use less water.
Your unit should have a hot water kettle and a French press.
Our trailer had an assortment of flashlights and a multi-unit charger. As mentioned, there were outlets conveniently located throughout the trailer for easy charging of devices.
It’s windy in this location and it cools off quickly at night, even on hot summer days. Pack some long pants and a jacket.
Your ROAM host will send you a suggested packing list prior to your arrival. If your plans include fishing or tubing, bring water gear. Pack hiking shoes so that you can take advantage of the nearby trails.
Getting There
The private campground is located in the Yakima River Canyon outside Ellensburg, Washington. It’s about a two-hour drive from Seattle, Washington or a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Portland, Oregon.
Just a few days before your scheduled visit, you’ll receive directions for getting to the site and accessing your unit. A host should be on-site to help get you settled, but you can also enter your cabin using a key code.
The entrance is low key. Watch out or you might miss it. It’s located just feet from the parking lot of the Umtanum Creek Recreation Site.
Although the campsite borders a highway, the property is nice and quiet. The wind can really whip up in the canyon, creating some noise and dust. The only other sounds we heard came from the occasional freight trains across the river. If the skies are clear, this is a great place for stargazing.
One more important reminder. There’s no WiFi available on property, and cell service is very limited here. Prepare for the possibility that you might not have any coverage during your stay.
KidTripster Tip: Depending on your route, consider breaking up the drive with a detour to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville. Operations have changed due to COVID-19. Guests are now allowed to drive through the park (previously it was a guided bus tour). The “Wild Drive” takes guests through the 435-acre free-roaming area. During the drive, you’ll see an assortment of animals native to the northwest. Those include bison, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, caribou, deer, elk and moose. Advance reservations are required. You’ll be part of a guided tour, a park employee is in the lead car, describing what you’re seeing over the radio. Afterwards, we stretched our legs with a “Wild Walk” through the park. Here you’ll find animals like bears, cougars and otters. It took us about an hour to do the walk. Attendance is limited, masks are required and it’s a one-way path through the exhibits to maintain safety.
Looking for more unique lodging options in Washington state? Check out the Rolling Huts in Methow Valley and the Getaway cabins near Glenwood.
The writer received a discounted stay and complimentary meals for purposes of this review. All opinions are her own.
