157 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Ellensburg KOA's riverfront sites provide designated pet areas where dogs can stay with owners in tent sites, RV spots, and cabins. Leashed pets remain welcome throughout the campground, with easy access to a small grassy area for quick relief breaks. Umtanum Campground and Big Pines Campground in the Yakima River Canyon also accommodate pets in both tent and RV camping areas. Many visitors appreciate the abundance of open space along the Yakima River where pets can cool off during hot summer months. L.T. Murray Wildlife Area offers free dispersed camping with pets permitted, though this option lacks facilities such as toilets or water. Whispering Pines RV Campground maintains 96 pet-friendly sites with full hookups where many campers report their dogs enjoy the surrounding natural environment. The Dyrt includes reviews of campgrounds near Ellensburg, Washington.
Taneum Cabin stands as one of the few pet-friendly cabin options in the region, operating seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day with toilets and drinking water available on site. Clean bathroom facilities receive consistent mention from dog owners staying at established campgrounds in the area. KOA campers note the convenience of camping with pets despite sites being somewhat close together, particularly during busy summer weekends. Those seeking a quieter experience with pets might prefer the Yakima River Canyon campgrounds where the natural setting provides more space between campsites. Campers should be prepared for temperature extremes when traveling with pets, as summer temperatures can reach 90+ degrees while spring and fall bring occasional overnight freezes. Pet owners should pack additional water supplies for dispersed camping locations and carry waste bags regardless of destination.
"It’s ellensburg - that’s not so surprising. But we were there for a baseball tournament just over & across the highway at a great baseball complex. The site was nice, the staff great."
"This is right off I90 very convenient but close to freeway so some road noise. I90 is the main east west freeway in Washington. It is right on the river and there's a pool."
"Murray Wildlife Area is a great option if you’re looking for a quiet, spacious spot surrounded by nature. Entrance is through a large metal gate—be sure to close it behind you."
"**Ranger Review: Camp Fare Premium Meals at LT Murray Wildlife Area ** Camping Review: The LT Murray Wildlife Area is located in Thorp, between Cle Elum and Ellensburg."
"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."
"There was wild roosters running around which was difficult for our retrievers who are pheasant hunting dogs. The mossy cliff was beautiful and fun foot bridge."
from $38 / night
Check Availability"One thing I love about Washington is that there are so many different places to hike. My husband and I stayed here, which is close to White Pass where there are tons of great hikes."
"We stayed at the campsite #1 which is adjacent to the boat launch."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"No dog park. Great view of the lake from your door. We took a 4 mile, one-way, bike ride to the town of Vantage and then to the Ginkgo Petrified Forest."
"with stops in Snowqualmie Falls (famous for its part in Twin Peaks), Roslyn (home of Northern Exposure) and the oldest saloon in Washington with a 23-foot water spittoon, Ellensburg and the Tomahawk and"
"There was a pretty little calico cat that hung out with us for a bit, who happily plopped around us outside. Sleeping was peaceful, and I actually slept the best I had in my tent yet."
"There are walk in (50 to 100 feet walk) sites as well as horse camping sites. Pit toilets are clean, don’t smell, and have TP. Road in campground is in good condition with pretty new gravel."
"This is and ending point for summer rafting trips that start near Ellensburg, WA and a great place for calm water fun. Setup camp in a paved area with overnight fees around $15 per car/site. "
"Not very busy, but it is near a main road and there is some road noise."
from $15 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $15 / night
Check Availability"The site was In a good place, just a walk away from the river. We did have like 2 hornets make their way into our tent. I used the showers behind the dog park, which had 2 shower stalls."
"Easy to pop into Cle Elem or surrounding area to explore. I needed an Eastern Washington fix so I really enjoyed it."
from $38 - $270 / night
Check Availability
GuideThis is my new favorite spot to camp in Washington. The spaces are well distributed, the location right next to the river is beautiful and the site staff were extremely gracious. I’d strongly recommend picking a number between 2 and 10 as those are the closest sights to the river if you’re looking to enjoy the sounds of the water. There is also a full bathroom at around the mid 20s if you’d prefer a functional toilet system.
TravelerSo I tried booking a spot through this app, and then cashapp was pending the purchase. I ended up calling the campground and they never received my booking. So I waited about 10 min and then I seen that my money was refunded. I ended up calling the camp back and booking it through over the phone. Same price....so I don't see what discount might have done. And also this campground or the lady who answered the phone had never heard of this APP...and named a few partners they work with....this app not being one of them...so...I don't know... ANYWHO.....
Stayed one night, the site 204 was a little difficult to find. The on-site store was pretty good size, from what I saw they had camping gear and regular convenience store stuff. When we got there there was only 1 other tent/ family set up a space away. The site was In a good place, just a walk away from the river. We did have like 2 hornets make their way into our tent. I used the showers behind the dog park, which had 2 shower stalls. And was empty. Hot water instantly, cute lil set up. The campground it self was pretty big...like it was a little town...big play area for kids, lake looked big, same with dog park. Then I took a walk around on the path, and followed the river (as in picture). Quiet time at 10....woke up early and packed up...felt safe, didn't get bothered..no trouble checking In...loved it...
LegendWe’ve camped here a number of times and love it. 4 kids and a dog. We’ve tent camped, stayed in the cabins and our class C RV. We’ve been in a variety of spots around the campground. Our favorite were tent camping over the river and being close to the playground & dog park on the RV. The store is the best I’ve come across at a campsite. Great kid craft activities, nice playground, yummy pancake breakfast, great access for swimming in the river. We walk to town. It’s awesome.
GuideNice spacious sites. Lots of privacy between sites. No dog park. Great view of the lake from your door. We took a 4 mile, one-way, bike ride to the town of Vantage and then to the Ginkgo Petrified Forest. The town of vantage is very small with a lot of closed shops. Has a gas station and convenience store. That’s about it. Very scenic area and quiet and relaxing.
LegendEastern Washington near the water is my favorite type of landscape. It's a hot, windy, and a true desert climate. When you get near a body of water like you do along the Yakima River, the diversity of life expands and makes for great wildlife watching.
Umtanum Recreation Site is part of several BLM campgrounds lumped together along the Yakima River known as the Yakima River Canyon Campgrounds. All can be reserved ahead of time via the reservation.gov website: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/250985. Standard for most BLM camping in Washington, sites are very basic. Gravel parking, pit toilets, and a picnic table. This place does have a dumpster for trash, not all do. There are no hook ups, no drinking water, and in our case, very little shade. Neighbors are close and there is not a lot of privacy. The day use area is right there too, close to camping and can be loud. It is heavily patrolled by the wonderful BLM folks to keep everything clean and the people orderly. They also give out tickets if you don't mind the warnings for correct passes or day use fees.
The campground itself is one little loop with six sites. The loop is an offshoot of a very large gravel parking area for day use. Mostly boat launching and hiking access to Umtanum Creek and Umtaum Ridge trails. You can check the Information Board for rules on day use and camping fees, passes, and how to check to see if a site is reserved.
We arrived on July 3rd in the afternoon. The campground was very quiet and all the sites were reserved. The morning of July 4th, the recreation site turned into a total madhouse. BLM Rangers, Law Enforcement, making constant rounds to patrol the never ending hoards of people coming to park and float the river. There was a lot of noise, dust, drunk and rowdy folks. Friday was calm again until afternoon, Saturday was not as bad as the 4th but still pretty crazy. It was also hot! No shade to be had in our site. After hiking in the morning, we spent a lot of time across the bridge, in it's shadow, in the river.
If you are using this spot as a base to do some hiking, fishing, or floating it's very convenient. I am sure in Spring and Fall when river floating is not at it's peak, it's gorgeous and peaceful. The raptors and songbirds are splendid. We saw Bighorn sheep on the hill, big rock squirrels, wild turkeys with babies, and fish. No rattlesnakes or ticks, but this is prime territory. Hiking down the Umtanum Creek trail, over the suspension bridge, is one of my favorite hikes ever.
ScoutSilver Springs is our go-to for camping at Mt. Rainier. You get almost all the benefits of staying inside the park without most of the drawbacks (impossible reservations, permits, pet policies, etc.). Campsites are usually clean and spacious and kids feel safe riding around on their bikes and playing in the stream. Just be careful if you’re staying at one of the sites along the river during high rainfall as it can be dangerous for kids and pets.
GuideCame for the Ellensburg rodeo! Stayed here for a week, had a great time near the creek with our dogs! Attempted some fly fishing after seeing some others give it a shot with no luck. Tons of dispersed camping up and down the road! Spots are far enough away to give you good privacy.
ScoutGuideNice "fee" campground on the Yakima River. This is and ending point for summer rafting trips that start near Ellensburg, WA and a great place for calm water fun. Setup camp in a paved area with overnight fees around $15 per car/site. There are established bbq/fire pits (its VERY dry in the surrounding country) and picnic benches.
Camping opportunities near Ellensburg range from developed sites along the Yakima River to dispersed options in surrounding forests at elevations between 1,500-3,000 feet. The area's semi-arid climate creates distinct seasonal conditions, with summer daytime temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F while winter nights can drop well below freezing. Camping areas in the Teanaway Community Forest offer a transition zone between the drier Columbia Basin and moister Cascade Mountains.
Hiking nearby trails: Umtanum Campground provides access to hiking with diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. "The path was really good, clear, and easy to find. There were a few waterfalls, and creeks to cross to just know that your shoes/feet might get a little wet," shares Skylar M. about trails in the Umtanum area.
Fishing in Yakima River: The river offers excellent fishing opportunities throughout the canyon corridor. At Roza Campground - Yakima River Canyon, "Early in the AM the fish are jumping, but this section is catch & release only in the canyon," notes Shawn A.
Wildlife observation: The canyon and surrounding areas support diverse wildlife populations. At Big Pines Campground - Yakima River Canyon, campers enjoy "Watching Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Eagles and Pelicans," according to Theresa S.
Mountain biking: Teanaway Campground offers direct trail access for cyclists. "If you are a mountain biker, this spot will not disappoint with the trail system right out of camp," mentions Silas.
River access for recreation: Waterfront sites provide opportunities for swimming and floating. At Ellensburg KOA, a reviewer noted they "chose a site that backed up to the river, the back of the motorhome was close to cantilevering over the river," offering premium water access.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies offer excellent viewing conditions away from city lights. At L.T. Murray Wildlife Area, a camper experienced "a view of the Thorp valley and the forested gully and ridge across from us. The stars were out and the comet NEOWISE was visible."
Quiet weekday camping: For those seeking solitude, timing matters. One camper at Ellensburg KOA observed they "always ride with full (safety) gear on, even when it's 100° out so nothing beats a nice clean shower facility! Sites were nice and tidy. Very little buffer in between sites, but if you come on a weekday like we did you'll have the entire campground all to yourselves."
Natural shade protection: The canyon landscape offers varied sun exposure. At Teanaway Campground, "Not much underbrush around, but the numerous pines give ample shade in the afternoon and evening," reports Daniel.
Wind exposure: Many sites experience significant wind, especially in canyon areas. "It can get very windy in this area," warns a camper at L.T. Murray Wildlife Area, while another at Teanaway Campground notes it "Got a little dusty and windy but once it died down the view of the starts was worth the minor hassle."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ellensburg, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ellensburg, WA is Ellensburg KOA with a 3.8-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ellensburg, WA?
TheDyrt.com has all 157 dog-friendly camping locations near Ellensburg, WA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
