Established Camping
Umtanum Campground - Yakima River Canyon
About
Bureau of Land Management
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/250985?tab=seasons
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
All four BLM-managed recreation sites offer picnic tables, fire rings, nearby dumpsters and vault toilets. Hookups and potable water are not provided. Big Pines campground is where the majority of the campsites are located, and contains two group campsites. Umtanum, Lmuma Creek, and Roza also offer campsites. Umtanum and Roza receive high day-use visitation during the summer months. Roza offers a concrete boat launch. Motorboats are prohibited upstream from 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.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobilePoor
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Great overnight campground
This is 1 of about 3 campgrounds along the Yakima River. We stayed 1 night when passing through from Idaho headed to Olympic National Park. Campground is small. We fit our 32feet trailer and parked the truck beside it. Lots of turn around space due to the on site boat launch. About 6 sites. $15 a night, or $7.50 with access pass (America The Beautiful pass). Amazing views if you continue the drive through the canyon. Cable suspension bridge for foot traffic in the Campground and small boat launch. Vault toilets, but no water or dump station. Still a great 1 or 2 night stay Campground. Verizon and Tmobile 2 bars of service, but slow.
Yakima river baby
Horrible don't go here. Leave room for me when I'm in the area.
- (5) View All
Nice, clean campground.
We stayed here 10 days or so. It is a nice split between towns, Ellensburg and Yakima. The hiking is a pleasure in the area, with lots of wildlife. Many deer in the area, even walking through the campsite at times. The park does get pretty busy for day use, like hiking and fishing but nothing too crazy. The suspension bridge is awesome!
- (10) View All
Location
Umtanum Campground - Yakima River Canyon is located in Washington
Directions
Located along the Washington State Scenic Byway of Highway 821 between the cities of Ellensburg and Yakima: Umtanum will be near Mile Post 16, Lmuma Creek will be near Mile Post 12, Big Pines will be near Mile Post 8, and Roza near Mile Post 7.
Coordinates
46.85498579 N
120.48237467 W