Arts & Activities

Nestled in the prairie just beyond the foothills of Mount Rainier, the greater Yelm community is enriched by thriving Arts and Activities for all ages and interests. Yelm’s perfect climate and location are ideal for a host of activities. Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, have a passion for golf, fishing, gardening, casinos, looking for interactive community events, or just want to idle in a beautiful countryside, this is the place to be. The exceptional recreational venues and attractions make this a great area to live or as a perfect getaway for the day or weekend. The emerging art community has developed an increasingly vibrant art scene among local art studios, arts and crafts shops, community theaters, and schools. The Timberland Regional Library in Yelm regularly hosts many programs for public participation. In addition, area restaurants are showcasing local artists, karaoke nights, and classes, all of which are contributing to a vibrant and sustainable art scene, now established as a core value of the community.

Festivals and Events

March — Rainier Dollars for Scholars Auction
March — Yelm Dollars for Scholars Auction
April — Arbor Day celebration, last Friday in April
April — Nisqually Valley Home, Garden Trade Show, last weekend in April
May — Harmonic Riding’s Health & Wellness Fair for Pets and People
May — Bike month in Yelm
May – October — Yelm Farmers Market
June — Roy Rodeo, Roy
June — Prairie Days Parade, sponsored by the Yelm Chamber
June — Prairie Days Carnival, sponsored by the Yelm Lions Club
June — Prairie Days Golf Tournament, sponsored by Chamber Foundation
June/July — Access Consciousness®
July — Rotary Club of Yelm, Prairie Stampede 5K
August — American Cancer Society Relay for Life
August — Prairie Street Rod Association Car Show
August — Fallen Heroes Golf Tournament
August — The Rainier Roundup, Rainier
September — Roy Rodeo, Roy
December — Christmas in the Park Parade & Celebration, Yelm City Park

Gardening

Gordon’s Garden Center
308 East Yelm Avenue, Yelm – (360) 458-2481

Jason’s Greenhouse Inc
1337 Bald Hill Road SE, Yelm – (360) 458-2412

Mom’s Green Thumb Nursery
4237 Bald Hill Road SE, Yelm – (360) 894-4731

Golf

Tahoma Valley Golf Course
15425 Mosman Ave SE, Yelm – (360)-458-3332

Movie Theatres

Yelm Cinemas
201 Prairie Park St., Yelm
360-400-3456
Since 2000, 8-screen cineplex offering first-run features & independent films.

Museums

Yelm Historical Museum
Corner of 3rd &: McKenzie Streets, Yelm
Close ties to Mt. Rainier highlight this history-filled repository.

Parks

Yelm City Park and Splash Park
Donated by Chuck and Wilma Demich in 1950, this park hosts annual, special events.

Yelm Skatepark
Yelm teens in the early-1990’s raised funds for this then-landmark facility.

Cochrane Memorial Park
Land donated in 1983 by Lou and Mae E. Cochrane, recognized for unique reclaimed wastewater reuse.

Longmire Community Park
3 baseball fields, modern concesison/toilet building, walking trails, & playground.

Trails

Yelm-Tenino Trail
A 14.5 mile pedistrian/non-motorized bike trail connecting the communities of Yelm, Rainier, and Tenino, intersecting the 22-mile Chehalis Western Trail linking to Tumwater, Lacey, Olympia, and Woodard Bay Puget Sound.

Other Area Attractions

Mount Rainier National Park
Standing 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A. and spawns 6 major rivers. The park’s entrance is 45 miles from Yelm.

Millersylvania State Park
Created in 1935, an 842-acre camping park with gorgeous shoreline on Deep Lake.

Art/Activities/Interests

Timberland Library
210 Prairie Park St SE, Yelm, WA, 98597
(360) 458-3374

In-Genius! Local Artisan Gallery & Boutique — Art for Everyone in the Heart of  Yelm
207 1st St. NE, Yelm, WA, 98597
(360) 999-9216

When you “shop small” at InGenius!, you’re supporting not only a locally owned brick and mortar art gallery and gift shop but also the small businesses of 24 local artisans and counting, from fine artists to musicians to makers of honey and soaps. There truly is something InGenius! for everyone. Classes to learn and be inspired; events to celebrate the arts; and a gallery and gift boutique to support those in our own community who make their passion for art pay their way in life, for the enjoyment of all.