The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Wapato. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Wapato is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Wapato and user-submitted reviews.
Yakima Sportsman State Park is, literally, an oasis in the desert.
Located near the urban amenities of Yakima in arid eastern Washington, this park attracts local picnickers, out-of-town visitors and road-trippers passing through.
Birds flock to Yakima Sportsman, and so do birders, their binoculars and field guides in hand. The Yakima River flood plain sustains a natural wetland of marshes, grasses and ponds, welcoming habitat for 140 bird species. Wood ducks are the stars of the show, but dramatic red-winged blackbirds, herons and hawks make their home near the park's juvenile fishing pond, which is stocked with rainbow trout and open to young anglers.
The gentle trails come alive in season. The trees turn red, orange and yellow in fall, and spring brings a riot of lilies, chokecherry, dogwood and blossoming catalpa trees. Green lawns and tree shade make this a lovely camping or picnic spot in summer.
PARK FEATURES Yakima Sportsman State Park is a 266-acre camping park originally created by the Yakima Sportsman's Association to promote game management and the preservation of natural resources. The park is an irrigated green zone in an otherwise desert area and has a variety of deciduous trees in the camping and picnic areas.
More than 130 species of bird make wildlife watching a delight. The campground is a stay-over place for events at the Yakima Sun-Dome and fairgrounds.
The park has 37 standard campsites, 37 full-hookup sites, one dump station, two restrooms (both ADA) and four showers (all ADA). Hookup sites 1 - 16 are 60 feet long, and sites 17 - 36 are back-in sites. Site HC is an ADA-hookup site, and site 52 is an ADA-standard site. Sites 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 and 49 are near the creek.
Located just two hours’ drive east of Seattle, this campground lies at the edge of central Washington’s high desert scablands. These small recreation areas along the shore of Wanapum Lake, on the mighty Columbia River, showcase the area’s dramatic landscape, and preserve the fossilized remains of a prehistoric forest buried by an ancient lava flow. Some of the many activities available at these two locations include hiking, swimming, boating, fishing, camping and wildlife watching.
The campground at Wanapum offers 50 large, full-hookup sites for RV and tent campers. Sites are mostly open and grassy, with a few spare trees for shade and wind protection; all are equipped with picnic tables and cooking grills. The camp area has two vault toilets, a boat ramp, a shaded picnic area, and a sandy beach. This area is susceptible to high winds, so tents and awnings should be firmly secured. Dogs are permitted, but should remain leashed, as there are rattlesnakes in the area. The campground is open from March through October. Sites are first-come, first-served, but reservations are recommended in the summer season. Seasonal rates are $30–$50/night.
Just a few miles north of the recreation area, Ginkgo Petrified Forest preserves a unique fossil discovery that was revealed during highway construction in the 1930s: the remains of an ancient forest turned to stone. The park features an air-conditioned visitor center, restrooms, picnic areas, a boat launch, and lake viewpoints. Nearby, the 1-mile Trees of Stone interpretive trail winds through the fossilized forest, where visitors can see more than 20 specimens of petrified trees, in addition to erratic boulders deposited by ancient glacial floods. Common wildlife seen in the area include deer, elk, bighorn sheep and coyotes. Check park website for operating seasons and hours.
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.
$15 / night
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/250985?tab=seasons
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
$38 / night
Tents, RVs and Cabins available.
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.
$15 / night
Windy Point Campground is situated in Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, offering visitors some of the most stunning scenery in the Northern Cascade Range in Washington and easy access to an abundance of recreational activities.
In addition to being a prime location for hiking fishing, hunting, horseback riding and mountain biking in summer and early fall, Windy Point offers excellent skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling during the winter months. Hikers and backpackers are especially fortunate to have access to a variety of spectacular trails near the campground and in the surrounding areas. Designated Wilderness provides thousands of pristine acres of incredible landscapes to enjoy in solitude or with a small group. Whitewater paddling on the Tieton River, near Windy Point Campground, is also a popular activity.
Stretching north to south from the Canadian border to the Goat Rocks Wilderness, the Okanogan-Wenatchee is a stunning and diverse National Forest. High, glaciated alpine peaks tower along the Cascade Crest and lush valleys of old growth forest define its western boundary. A rugged shrub-steppe country comprises a more arid region at its eastern edge. Elevations range from below 1,000 feet to more than 9,000 feet. Visitors to the area can expect many days of clear, sunny weather in the summer, and winters with clear skies and plenty of snow.
This location has limited staffing. Please call (661) 702-1420 for general information.
A historic highlight of the area is Jumpoff Lookout, the last remaining lookout in the Naches Ranger District. Visitors will also enjoy traveling the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway which climbs into the clouds on a 66-mile drive through the Cascade Mountain range, weaving through snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. Hiking is popular for visitors to the campground. Frost Mountain Lookout Trail, Keenan Meadows Trail and the Grey Rock Trail are all favorites in the area.
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
$22 / night
Hause Creek Campground is located along the Tieton River in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in Washington's Northern Cascade Range. Warm summer days and and access to a multitude of recreational activities make the campground an ideal setting for both individual and family camping excursions.
Hause Creek Campground offers outdoor enthusiasts the opportunity to hike, fish, ski, raft and enjoy a multitude of recreational activities throughout the year. River enthusiasts may enjoy a whitewater rafting trip on one of the many scenic rivers in the area. The Tieton River is especially exciting in September when the Bureau of Land Reclamation floods the Tieton Valley, releasing fast and furious water.
The Okanogan-Wenatchee is a unique National Forest, where high, glaciated alpine peaks tower along the Cascade Crest. Lush valleys of old-growth forest define its western boundary, and at its eastern edge, rugged shrub-steppe country comprises a more arid region. Elevations range from below 1,000 feet to over 9,000 feet. Precipitation varies greatly thoughout the area, ranging from approximately 140 inches along the Cascade Crest to only 10 inches along the eastern edge. Visitors can expect many days of warm, sunny weather in the summer and plenty of snow in the winter.
Boulder Cave National Recreation Trail is one of the most popular places in the Naches District. Visitors can walk the accessible trail along the river or explore Boulder Cave. Interpretive signs along the trail explain the geology, plants, animals and fire history of the area. Hikers may want to traverse a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), one of the world's premier National Scenic Trails. This trail showcases some of North America's most fantastic scenery as it winds its way from Mexico to Canada through California, Oregon and Washington. The Goat Rocks Wilderness is nearby. Its peaks are remnants of an extinct volcano, taking the name "Goat Rocks," in honor of the fantastic mountain goats traversing this isolated region.
This location has limited staffing. Please call (661) 702-1420 for general information.
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
$27 - $54 / night
Scout
The camping is good but the owners are rude drunks I would not stay here the owners are always on site there mean to campers kids not good atmosphere
Guide
Spent overnight here. Many cars in the pkg lot—hikers & fishermen. By early evening, everyone was gone except for 3 of us campers. There is road noise which is close, but that quiets at night as well. The train is also close, but I don’t mind hearing trains. Overall, a lovely place to hang for the night and take in a hike right there at the site. Good pit toilets too!
Guide
Nice 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.
Guide
We stayed here a few days in July and loved it! The river is so beautiful with the waterfall cascading down into the river directly across from the campsite. There is a shallow part near the shoreline where the kids had a great time playing in the river. The river itself is wide and very fast moving. The campsite we stayed in was fairly close to the next one, but we were camping with friends in the next one so it was fine. But be aware, some campsites are very close together. There is some road noise, but mostly you just hear the river.
GuideArrived on a Sunday without reservations and had several spots to choose from for our 3 night stay. Easy Lake access. The grounds are immaculately kept up - sites are very spacious - bathrooms and showers super clean. Road our e-bikes into Vantage - only a gas station/convenience store - very expensive - but it is the only game in town as everything else is closed. Continued our e-bike ride to Ginkgo Petrified forest - nice little 3 mile hike. The town is 2.5 miles from camp and another 2 to get to the petrified forest. Would stop here again. Had a relaxing time.
Guide
Overall a nice experience. $7.50/night with Access Pass. Dry camping only but close to Yakima. A fly fishing paradise.
There are train tracks close by which can be a bit noisy. However, trains don’t blow horn when passing by.
ScoutThe site offer approximately 10 sites that can be used for tent or RV camping. Moderately spaced from the other sites. Parallels the river. The tent areas are all level, ground mainly dirt/gravel. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. We did not hear the road noise. Can’t speak to the condition of the toilets as we didn’t use them. This is a favorite of the locals for fall fishing so you need a reservation…
Traveler
I travel for work and I stay here almost every week to save money on hotels. I’ve also taken my family here over the summer for camping and hiking. We all love it. Very quiet. Weekends can get kinda busy due to hikers and rock climbing enthusiasts. I suggest coming up early if you plan to stay the weekend. Many beautiful views. There is even a waterfall I sleep across from. On clear nights you can see all the stars. Which is my favorite! There are lots of sites to camp. In car/tent/RV it’s pretty accessible. There are some rougher spots where you probably should have four-wheel-drive or at least a higher stance vehicle.
Scout
We stayed here during a couple of days of high heat and needed to plug in and replenish water. We have a 16ft Airstream and stayed in RV site 2. The site was too small for our trailer and the picnic table was wedged between a fire pit and two huge rocks so unusable. There was a total fire ban and the fire pit was not in use but was full of cigarette butts. For $70 per night I would expect a cleaner and better site. We had full hook ups which was nice but no privacy and no shade. It feels like the RV sites are an afterthought here. I wouldn’t recommend. The WiFi was “free” but unreliable and every single time I logged in I had to go through a Free Trial log in. It was really annoying. Access to the Naches River was easy and the fly fishing was glorious and the swimming was great!!
Scout
We reserved #8 too. We arrived shortly after 1:00 which is check in time. There was 10-14 people and kids in our site. 1 women spoke some English and said they were in the free site across the road. I told them we reserved it and to get out. They left a mess of watermelon, cantaloupe, orange peel and egg shells, and water bottles. So of course the hornets we thick but we picked up what we could. They also had a ATV which are not allowed in the campground. I could mention about the Forest Service pickup, parked watching this no doing nothing. But I’ve said enough.
TravelerGreat location so close to 90 but tucked away - will be staying here often
TravelerThere are a few spots by the river as soon as you turn off of hwy 410 but look to be mostly used for tents and the area was kinda trashed by all the pigs out there that forget how to clean up after themselves. Keep going over the bridge, take the immediate left and you’ll come to an open area on the right up a small hill. It works for a fairly close spot to Mt Rainier but that’s about it. Zero service with ATT and Verizon.
TravelerThe staff was friendly and very helpful and that’s a big deal to me. Many sites are on the river and are close together, but wasn’t too busy when I was there.
Scout
Perfect spot for privacy and a great night’s sleep. Plenty of space. Stop soon after going through(and closing) the gate to get a level spot. Wind can be high here, but that made for nice sleeping weather in August. Bumpy road but no need to go far. Woke up to a buck grazing 30 yards away.
Traveler
This was a great hidden spot and we did not see anyone else the whole time. After going through the gate (and closing it) we head down the gravel road directly in front of us (more to the right). We initially tried the road to the left but it ran into an overgrown area. We towed our 24 ft trailer up this road which turned out fine but definitely pushed the limits. We saw multiple places to pull into and drove about 10-15 minutes before pulling off into a nice private area with good enough cell signal. Roads were very rocky at times but tolerable.
Traveler
Good parking area for us, not many here or could get a little tight depending on how people park. It does not have shade so a little warm in August! Be self contained 😀
Scout
Wonderful site for camping. There is a bit of road noise. The pin drop has it off of hwy 410, but it’s on the Little Naches road.
Traveler
We camped specifically at the Indian Creek Dispersed sites. There is a collection of camp grounds in this surrounding area, so I wouldn’t be concerned about finding a spot.
The views are incredible, beautiful grounds. Sadly the sites were covered in trash, people were riding quads and chainsawing until 2am, as well as yelling and loud music.
We did come on a weekend so it got very busy.
TravelerIf you come during the week, you're going to enjoy quiet, gorgeous dispersed camping. Big spaces, big trees, big lake.
But if you come during the weekend, be prepared for the most inconsiderate, noisy, rude neighbors you've ever found. They leave trash everywhere, play music and shoot guns late into the night, and don't respect boundaries whatsoever. I had multiple people drive right into my campsite and park 10 feet from my rig, walk through camp yelling and playing music, you name it.
So, four stars because the place is amazing - but choose your timing wisely.
TravelerThe views are amazing, plenty of open campsites and nobody was around us when we camped. A perfect quiet getaway.
GuidePopular rock climbing area that gets many people through the day. Dispearsed camping in 2 areas. The first spot as you come from the road is much smaller and doesn't have any pit toilets. I prefer to park here when its not busy as the "Feathers" basalt columns are really pretty to camp up next to. The second open site down the road has pit toilets and is a much larger area. Both are nice but also there are many cars, campers, tents and becomes a much more lively area in the evening depending on the crowds.
I think this is a great spot but I move on during the day when the rock climbing crowds start to swarm and park near you. There are some nice trails that take you up above the climbing area and you can get to the backside to get some nice views and away from the crowds. Can get pretty hot here in the warmer months but a beautiful spot to camp if you can avoid the busy/peak times.
GuideGreat little campground right on the river. All sites are pull thru. We were in no. 8. The only one with direct river access. We did have to come in the second entrance so our trailer wouldn't be facing the roadside. This campground is a mile in don't ve confused by the first sign for halfway flat that is the free site you still have half a mile to go. There is a lot of dispersed camping around, but this is the only established campground with reservations, and at 18.00 a night, well worth it.
The road; as you come across the one lane bridge, stay on the lower road. The road itself is in good condition, and one lane. There are a couple of tight spots, but if you go slow, you will be fine. There are atv trails, so you will encounter motorcycles and atvs on the road
Guide
Large sites, some with access to the River. Highway noise was pretty loud in some of the upper sites. Bathrooms (pit toilets) were very clean and the camp host was lovely! Nice recreation area nearby.
Traveler
This, like the other spots in Frenchman Coulee, is seldom empty, but it's much less packed than the areas closer to the climbing. This spot offers the best views, sunrises, and sunsets, at the cost of no shade and a healthy dose of wind. If you're going for the rugged feel, this'll do it. OF NOTE: The vault toilets are about a mile away from here.
Traveler
Overall it's not great nor is it terrible. It's always busy and often a bit crowded in the main portion but the people are usually not too rowdy. The scenic views are killer, the wildlife is active, and the mini trails around the place feel adventurous. The climbing is bang on but it's bouldering or lead climbing only. BE WARNED, THE BATHROOMS ARE STANKY (hot tip: bring a citronella candle and your own TP)
Guide
We didn't made a reservation and there were lots of spots left (on a wednesday) Beautiful campground next to the river with lots of trees. There are very large spots with firepit and picknick table. River accessible. There is camphost on the other campground nearby. There are vault toilets. A few hiking trails nearby.
GuideThis is more like a large parking lot for day tourists with a few spots right by river side. There are no designated camping spots. There is one vault toilet which is clean. There are mostly fisherman or boaters staying here. No shade. For a overnight stay fine but I would not stay longer.
Camping near Wapato, Washington, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Wapato, Washington, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Wapato, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Wapato, WA offers a wide range of camping options, with 94 campgrounds and RV parks near Wapato, WA and 12 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Wapato, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wapato, WA is Yakima Sportsman State Park Campground with a 3.6-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wapato, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Wapato, WA.
What parks are near Wapato, WA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Wapato, WA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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