Facility Overview

The Firing Center Rd. Park & Ride is an essential regional commuter hub situated conveniently off Interstate 82 at Exit 26 in northern Yakima, Washington. Located on Firing Center Road, this facility offers an open-air, ground-level paved surface lot engineered specifically to facilitate smooth carpooling, vanpooling, and transit transfers across Yakima County and the Kittitas Valley. Because this is an open-air surface lot without low-hanging ceiling structures, overhead clearance beams, or garage decking, it accommodates standard passenger cars, light trucks, high-roof conversion vans, full-size commercial work trucks, and vehicles carrying rooftop cargo or sporting equipment.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated in the northern Yakima and Selah periphery, this park-and-ride lot serves as the primary gateway to several notable regional landmarks, industrial districts, and outdoor recreation areas:

• Yakima Training Center (YTC): Located just minutes eastbound along Firing Center Road, making this the primary rendezvous and park-and-ride point for civilian contractors, military personnel, and transport convoys traveling to the military installation.
• City of Selah: Located approximately 5 miles southwest via Highway 823 and Harrison Road, providing quick access to Selah civic centers, sports parks, and local businesses.
• Downtown Yakima & Yakima Convention Center: Situated roughly 7 miles south via direct I-82 access, connecting travelers to the Capitol Theatre, Yakima Valley SunDome at State Fair Park, and historic downtown dining.
• Selah Ridge & Yakima River Canyon: Just south of the scenic byway entrance to State Route 821, leading north through the canyon to Ellensburg for fly fishing, rafting, and wildlife observation.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

The facility provides seamless ingress and egress directly from Firing Center Road, situated less than a minute off the I-82 Exit 26 ramps. This interchange provides rapid north-south regional connectivity: head south directly toward Yakima, Union Gap, and the lower valley, or north across Manastash Ridge directly to Ellensburg and I-90. Commuters benefit from wide two-way turn bays and unencumbered sightlines when entering and exiting, preventing bottlenecks even during early morning and late afternoon shift changes. Regional vanpools, rideshares, and agricultural and industrial shuttle operators frequently use this stop as an established passenger pick-up and drop-off coordination point.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Free Commuter Parking: Completely cost-free public parking provided for daily carpoolers, vanpoolers, and transit riders.
• Open Surface Lot: Expansive layout offering clear turn radii and maneuverability for large pickups, utility trucks, and multi-passenger vans.
• ADA Accessible Stalls: Designated accessible parking spaces clearly marked and positioned near main staging zones.
• Lighting & Visibility: High-mast dusk-to-dawn exterior security lighting providing enhanced night and early-morning visibility.
• Continuous Access: Operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to accommodate shifting operational schedules and extended workdays.

Ideal For

• Military & Civilian Contractors: Personnel reporting to shifts, exercises, or assignments at the nearby Yakima Training Center.
• Intercity Commuters: Commuters carpooling or vanpooling along the I-82 corridor between Yakima, Selah, and Ellensburg.
• Outdoor Recreation Groups: Hikers, anglers, and rafters assembling vehicles before exploring the Yakima River Canyon and surrounding public lands.
• Rideshare & Carpool Organizers: Drivers looking for an easily accessible, neutral freeway interchange meeting point.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Because this is a standard open-air commuter facility, spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations required. Commuters departing on early morning shifts will find ample stall availability, though spaces fill up quickly during peak weekday morning commute windows. During winter months, be prepared for occasional snow accumulation and cold gusts off the surrounding ridges, and take appropriate winter driving precautions when heading over adjacent mountain passes on I-82 toward Ellensburg. Always secure your vehicle, ensure doors are locked, and stow all personal valuables completely out of plain sight.