## ****

The gentle Yakima River winds through rolling desert hills and basalt cliffs,
some rising more than 2,000 feet, for 27 miles between Ellensburg and Yakima,
Washington. The canyon offers excellent wildlife watching, fishing for Blue
Ribbon trout, family-friendly rafting, and camping. The canyon's crevices and
cliffs make a perfect home for the densest concentration of nesting hawks,
eagles, and falcons in the state. The BLM manages over 9,000 acres in the
Yakima River Canyon area, and the Yakima River State Scenic Byway provides
access to BLM's five developed river access sites including Bighorn, Umtanum,
Lmuma Creek, Big Pines, and Roza.

## Know Before You Go:

  * Open Season Yakima River Canyon Recreation Sites are open year-round.
  * Four Campground and Day-Use Sites available, including Roza, Big Pines, Lmuma Creek, and Umtanum. 
  * Fees - $15 overnight, $5 Day-Use 
  * Campsite Reservations May 1 to September 30; first come, first serve October 1 to April 30. 
  * No Drinking Water or hookups available. 
  * Cellular Phone Coverage is limited in many areas of the Yakima River Canyon. 

## Point of Interest:

Located just south of Ellensburg, the non-motorized trails at Ringer Road
Trailhead offer visitors glimpses of the wildlife and birds that inhabit the
riparian areas next to the Yakima River.  
  
Yakima River Canyon Brochure  
  
Explore Washington Recreation: Yakima River Canyon

<h2><b></b></h2> <p>The gentle Yakima River winds through rolling desert hills and basalt cliffs, some rising more than 2,000 feet, for 27 miles between Ellensburg and Yakima, Washington. The canyon offers excellent wildlife watching, fishing for Blue Ribbon trout, family-friendly rafting, and camping. The canyon's crevices and cliffs make a perfect home for the densest concentration of nesting hawks, eagles, and falcons in the state. The BLM manages over 9,000 acres in the Yakima River Canyon area, and the Yakima River State Scenic Byway provides access to BLM's five developed river access sites including Bighorn, Umtanum, Lmuma Creek, Big Pines, and Roza.</p><h2>Know Before You Go:</h2><ul><li>Open Season Yakima River Canyon Recreation Sites are open year-round.</li><li>Four Campground and Day-Use Sites available, including Roza, Big Pines, Lmuma Creek, and Umtanum. </li><li>Fees - $15 overnight, $5 Day-Use </li><li>Campsite Reservations May 1 to September 30; first come, first serve October 1 to April 30. </li><li>No Drinking Water or hookups available. </li><li>Cellular Phone Coverage is limited in many areas of the Yakima River Canyon. </li></ul><h2>Point of Interest:</h2>Located just south of Ellensburg, the non-motorized trails at Ringer Road Trailhead offer visitors glimpses of the wildlife and birds that inhabit the riparian areas next to the Yakima River. <br><br><a href="https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/spo_yakimarivercan_brochure.pdf" rel="nofollow"> Yakima River Canyon Brochure</a>
<br><br> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUGSS72O0p8" rel="nofollow"> Explore Washington Recreation: Yakima River Canyon</a>

## Overview

The gentle Yakima River winds for 27 miles through massive basalt cliffs and
rolling desert hills between Ellensburg and Yakima, Washington. This area is
popular for wildlife viewing, fishing, and floating the river.  
  

## Recreation

The Yakima River Canyon is a popular destination for plant and wildlife
viewing, including bighorn sheep, various birds of prey, and mule deer. This
section of the river is classified as a Blue Ribbon trout stream, but is catch
and release only. One of the most popular summer activities is floating the
river, which is a family friendly Class 1 river with no rapids. Rafters often
put in at Umtanum and take out at Roza.

## Facilities

The Yakima River Canyon is a popular destination for plant and wildlife
viewing, including bighorn sheep, various birds of prey, and mule deer. This
section of the river is classified as a Blue Ribbon trout stream, but is catch
and release only. One of the most popular summer activities is floating the
river, which is a family friendly Class 1 river with no rapids. Rafters often
put in at Umtanum and take out at Roza.

## Natural Features

Within the Yakima River Canyon Campgrounds there are four developed Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) sites with river access: Umtanum, Lmuma Creek, Big
Pines, and Roza. Visitors have the opportunity to explore the massive basalt
cliffs, rolling desert hills, riparian vegetation, and the cool water of the
Yakima River.  
  

## Nearby Attractions

The cities of Ellensburg and Yakima, Central Washington University, and
Cowiche Canyon trails are near by. Umtanum recreation site offers a footbridge
to cross the Yakima River and access to Washington State Department of Fish
and Wildlife Lands on the west side of the river.

<h2>Overview</h2>
The gentle Yakima River winds for 27 miles through massive basalt cliffs and rolling desert hills between Ellensburg and Yakima, Washington. This area is popular for wildlife viewing, fishing, and floating the river. <br/> <br/><h2>Recreation</h2>
The Yakima River Canyon is a popular destination for plant and wildlife viewing, including bighorn sheep, various birds of prey, and mule deer. This section of the river is classified as a Blue Ribbon trout stream, but is catch and release only. One of the most popular summer activities is floating the river, which is a family friendly Class 1 river with no rapids. Rafters often put in at Umtanum and take out at Roza.    <h2>Facilities</h2>
The Yakima River Canyon is a popular destination for plant and wildlife viewing, including bighorn sheep, various birds of prey, and mule deer. This section of the river is classified as a Blue Ribbon trout stream, but is catch and release only. One of the most popular summer activities is floating the river, which is a family friendly Class 1 river with no rapids. Rafters often put in at Umtanum and take out at Roza.    <h2>Natural Features</h2>
Within the Yakima River Canyon Campgrounds there are four developed Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sites with river access: Umtanum, Lmuma Creek, Big Pines, and Roza. Visitors have the opportunity to explore the massive basalt cliffs, rolling desert hills, riparian vegetation, and the cool water of the Yakima River. <br/> <br/>
<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
The cities of Ellensburg and Yakima, Central Washington University, and Cowiche Canyon trails are near by. Umtanum recreation site offers a footbridge to cross the Yakima River and access to Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Lands on the west side of the river.

Lmuma Creek Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.

Big Pines Campsite 7 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.

Umtanum Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.

The beautiful Yakima River winds its way through the scenic Yakima River Canyon in Washington State.

Yakima River flowing through desert scenery of Yakima River Canyon in Washington State.

Big Pines Campsite 15 with fire ring and parking space.

Roza Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.

The Yakima River flows through the stunning Yakima River Canyon in central Washington.

Stunning scenery of the Yakima River Canyon in central Washington.

Yakima River Canyon Campgrounds (Umtanum, Lmuma Creek, Big Pines, Roza)

Bird's eye view of the park

Yakima River Canyon

Roza Diversion Dam, 10 miles north of Yakima, Washington, diverts water from
the Yakima River. The dam which is part of the Yakima Project is 486 feet long
at the crest and 67 feet high. The dam impounds approximately 100 acres of
water. Fishing opportunities for whitefish, rainbow trout, and salmon.

<a href="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Roza+Diversion+Dam" rel="nofollow">Roza Diversion Dam</a>, 10 miles north of Yakima, Washington, diverts water from the Yakima River.  The dam which is part of the <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Yakima%20Project" rel="nofollow">Yakima Project</a> is 486 feet long at the crest and 67 feet high.  The dam impounds approximately 100 acres of water.  Fishing opportunities for whitefish, rainbow trout, and salmon.

Roza Diversion Dam

Just outside of Yakima, in central Washington, the Cowiche Canyon and adjacent
uplands host nearly 900 acres of year-round opportunities for non-motorized
outdoor recreation. Spring, Summer and Fall bring opportunities for hiking,
trail-running and mountain biking the nearly 13 miles of unpaved trails.
Skiers and other winter lovers can enjoy the gentle grade of the 2.9-mile
Cowiche Canyon Trail, a former rail bed with eleven bridge crossings of
Cowiche Creek. The Bureau of Land Management has partnered with the non-profit
Cowiche Canyon Conservancy to provide access to this undeveloped natural
landscape overlooking the city of Yakima.  
  
The Cowiche Canyon is characterized by towering walls consisting of two types
of lava, 17.5 million-year-old Columbia River flood basalts and one million-
year-old andesite, the latter originating at Goat Rocks volcano, some 35 air
miles away. The uplands above the canyon offer wide open spaces and
spectacular views of Yakima, Mt. Adams, and an amazing springtime wildflower
display covering the fragile lithosol soil.  
  
Summertime brings big contrasts to the Cowiche Canyon trail system. Upland
plants of this shrub-steppe habitat like Desert Parsley, a biscuitroot, become
dormant during drought months. In the neighboring Cowiche Creek riparian
habitat, life abounds with more than 185 species of trees, shrubs and flowers
and 125 bird species. Because of the area’s botanical richness, much of it is
managed as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), a designation
which provides a special emphasis on protecting this beautiful landscape.  
  

## Know Before You Go:

  * The Cowiche Canyon trail system is open for day-use only. Four small trailheads provide access to the area and almost 13 miles of unpaved trails. Trailer parking is available at the Cowiche Canyon railroad grade trailheads only; no trailer parking at the Summitview or Scenic Trailheads.
  * Poison Ivy is abundant in the riparian area along the creek; protect yourself and your pet when on the trail. 
  * The use of motorized vehicles, campfires, camping and firearm discharge is prohibited on Cowiche Canyon trail system lands. 
  * Dogs must be under control at all times on these busy trails. Please pick up after your pet!

  

## Point of Interest:

The Cowiche Canyon Trail was once the bed of the Burlington Northern Railroad,
built in 1913, to haul apples from Cowiche and Tieton to fruit warehouses in
Yakima. A few years before construction started, the area was described as a
"…very rocky canyon ... which is absolutely worthless for any use whatever
except for railroad purposes.” The railroad abandoned the line in 1984 and the
Cowiche Canyon Conservancy was formed the following year to obtain the right
of way and develop a trail for public use. In 1987 the railroad tracks and
three rail bridges were removed.

Just outside of Yakima, in central Washington, the Cowiche Canyon and adjacent uplands host nearly 900 acres of year-round opportunities for non-motorized outdoor recreation. Spring, Summer and Fall bring opportunities for hiking, trail-running and mountain biking the nearly 13 miles of unpaved trails. Skiers and other winter lovers can enjoy the gentle grade of the 2.9-mile Cowiche Canyon Trail, a former rail bed with eleven bridge crossings of Cowiche Creek. The Bureau of Land Management has partnered with the non-profit Cowiche Canyon Conservancy to provide access to this undeveloped natural landscape overlooking the city of Yakima.<br><br>
The Cowiche Canyon is characterized by towering walls consisting of two types of lava, 17.5 million-year-old Columbia River flood basalts and one million-year-old andesite, the latter originating at Goat Rocks volcano, some 35 air miles away. The uplands above the canyon offer wide open spaces and spectacular views of Yakima, Mt. Adams, and an amazing springtime wildflower display covering the fragile lithosol soil.<br><br>

Summertime brings big contrasts to the Cowiche Canyon trail system. Upland plants of this shrub-steppe habitat like Desert Parsley, a biscuitroot, become dormant during drought months. In the neighboring Cowiche Creek riparian habitat, life abounds with more than 185 species of trees, shrubs and flowers and 125 bird species. Because of the area’s botanical richness, much of it is managed as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), a designation which provides a special emphasis on protecting this beautiful landscape.<br><br>
<h2>Know Before You Go:</h2>
<ul><li> 
The Cowiche Canyon trail system is open for day-use only. Four small trailheads provide access to the area and almost 13 miles of unpaved trails. Trailer parking is available at the Cowiche Canyon railroad grade trailheads only; no trailer parking at the Summitview or Scenic Trailheads.</li><li> 
Poison Ivy is abundant in the riparian area along the creek; protect yourself and your pet when on the trail.
</li><li>
The use of motorized vehicles, campfires, camping and firearm discharge is prohibited on Cowiche Canyon trail system lands.
</li><li>
Dogs must be under control at all times on these busy trails. Please pick up after your pet!</li></ul><br>


<h2>Point of Interest:</h2>
The Cowiche Canyon Trail was once the bed of the Burlington Northern Railroad, built in 1913, to haul apples from Cowiche and Tieton to fruit warehouses in Yakima. A few years before construction started, the area was described as a "…very rocky canyon ... which is absolutely worthless for any use whatever except for railroad purposes.” The railroad abandoned the line in 1984 and the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy was formed the following year to obtain the right of way and develop a trail for public use. In 1987 the railroad tracks and three rail bridges were removed.

View of Spring wildflowers of the Cowiche Canyon Trail System

Spring wildflowers of the Cowiche Canyon Trail System

Hikers descend a Cowiche Canyon trail.

View of the verdant Cowiche Creek and adjacent trail.

View of the shrub-steppe uplands of Cowiche Canyon Trail System.

Yakima River Canyon

Know Before You Go:

Point of Interest:

Directions

Stay Limit

Reviews

Campgrounds

Yakima River Canyon Campgrounds (Umtanum, Lmuma Creek, Big Pines, Roza)

Nearby Parks

Roza Diversion Dam

Cowiche Canyon Trail System