Yakima River Canyon

Show on map 509-665-2100 blm_or_wn_mail@blm.gov

Wenatchee Field Office, 915 Walla Walla Ave
Wenatchee, WA 98801

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.

Directions

From Ellensburg, Washington, take Hwy 821 (Canyon Road) south into the Yakima River Canyon. Umtanum is located at milepost 16, Lmuma Creek is located at milepost 12, Big Pines is located at milepost 10 and Roza is located at milepost 7, a half mile above Roza dam and about 25 miles south of Ellensburg.

Fees

$15 overnight, $5 day-use

Stay Limit

7 days

Reviews

183 reviews

5 stars

101

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

James D

Campground:Umtanum

Loop:Umtanum

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

I have been camping at BLM Umtanum site several times a year for decades. It is always well maintained and managed by the BLM team. I primarily fish for trout by walking upstream and downstream on both sides of the river. Most of the people who camp at Umtanum site are hikers or birders who go across the suspension bridge and up Umtanum Creek trails. Watch for rattlesnakes.

Alison K

Campground:Big Pines

Loop:Big Pines

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

We love this campground so close to home! Site #9 is our new favorite.

Crystal R

Campground:Big Pines

Loop:Big Pines

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

They have done a lot to improve the grounds of this site over the years. The upkeep of the walk-to sites and the addition of the extra restrooms is great. 🚨DO NOT BRING BIKES TO THIS CAMPGROUND🚨 There are sharp thorns everywhere on the grounds and all bike tires will be popped. Several thorns even blew onto my paddle board and caused a hole that will now need patched.

Celez S

Campground:Roza

Loop:Roza

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Campsites are all very close to one another (i.e., no space or shrubbery to separate sites), so there is no privacy and sound will definitely carry. Description of sites say these are in the shade, but don't see how that is possible, since there is little to no direct tree coverage over any of the sites. Train passes near the campground at various times through the day/night. This area has little options for camping, but we wanted to go winetasting in Yakima/Zillah. Campground is good for that, and just a place to rest your head if you're on a long trek, but would not choose to recreate here otherwise.

Michael P

Campground:Umtanum

Loop:Umtanum

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

We love that spot. Very clean and peacefull.

Madison S

Campground:Big Pines

Loop:Big Pines

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Beautiful location, easy to reserve, and clean sites and clean bathrooms. Difficult to find my site and navigate the parking lot in the dark. Sites were close together so not a lot of privacy, but everyone was respectful of quiet hours.

Keep your options open

Watch for a matching campsite across monitored campgrounds in Yakima River Canyon.