Yakima Sportsman State Park Campground offers year-round camping just minutes from downtown Yakima, nestled in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains. The area receives an average of 8-10 inches of precipitation annually, creating ideal conditions for summer camping. Temperatures often reach 85-95°F during summer months with significantly cooler evenings.
What to do
Trail exploration with OHVs: At Riders Camp Campground, visitors can access both beginner and larger trail systems. "This is a great place to camp and ride ORVs they have a beginners loop trailhead attached to this site as well as a trail head to a larger trail system," reports Bruce S.
Fishing at local lakes: Walupt Lake Campground provides excellent fishing opportunities in crystal-clear water. "The lake water is crystal clear. Excellent location if you enjoy hiking," notes Bobak K., while another camper adds, "Easy to kayak. Easy trail access to hikes."
Wildlife observation: Marshes and ponds near camping areas create habitat for diverse wildlife. "Near to the campground there is a wonderful little marshy pond that has plenty of water fowl and frogs to enjoy watching," explains Jill R. about Yakima Sportsman State Park.
What campers like
Private camping options: Many sites feature natural dividers between campsites. At Cottonwood Campground, campers appreciate the layout: "Loved how quiet and small this campground is, and how much privacy the sites have. Many of the sites have river access, which was lovely in the heat," writes Carrie S.
Well-maintained facilities: Camp hosts work diligently to maintain facilities. "The hosts were super friendly and helpful and did a nice job keeping the grounds and bathrooms clean," reports Stephanie S. about Hause Creek Campground. Similarly, at Bumping Lake, "The campground is clean and well maintained by the folks at Hoodoo Recreation."
Water features: The sounds of water enhance the camping experience. "River runs right along the campground and makes for a very peaceful night sleep," shares Jacob V. about Tree Phone Campground. At Hause Creek, one camper noted, "The river was running high while we were there, so it drowned out most of the road noise."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Yakima Sportsman State Park Campground serves as a year-round option when mountain campgrounds close. "As a Tacoma resident we have a lot of clouds. I head over to Yakima for my sun. This campground never disappoints!" explains Mary C.
Water availability: Some campgrounds require you to bring your own water. "There's no running water at this time so bring your own," advises Stephanie S. about Hause Creek Campground, while at Teanaway Campground, campers note "No water or trash but some vault toilets."
Road conditions: Access roads to horse campgrounds near Yakima, Washington vary significantly. "It's not the greatest road getting up there. For the most part the road isn't bad but I was hauling a camper and a 20' trailer with dirt bikes and quads so for me wasn't the greatest," explains a visitor to Tree Phone Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Amenities for children: Teanaway Campground offers natural play areas for families. "Wake up to the sounds of ravens yelling and chipmunks trying to climb in your car throughout the day!" says Alexia D., while another visitor notes "River access for the kids."
Educational opportunities: Bring field guides to identify local wildlife. "We saw mountain goats and the colors were beautiful this time of year," reports Shaelyn B. about hiking near Teanaway Campground, adding that the "Hike was 9 miles round trip and does require some path finding to the lake."
Pack for temperature swings: Days can be hot while nights cool significantly. A visitor to Walupt Lake advises, "Cold in the morning (Aug) but warms up quickly," and another notes, "It's windy and cooler along the river. Had we known about the wind, we'd have brought a different tent!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Bumping Lake Campground offers different sections based on vehicle type. "The Lower Campground is not on Bumping Lake and seems to be set a bit more for RV camping with pull through sites, mostly paved pads, and a bit closer together than the Upper," notes a visitor.
Shower facilities: Limited shower availability means planning accordingly. "The showers are by tokens 2 for $1, each token gives you 3 minutes of shower time," explains Jorge H. about Yakima Sportsman State Park.
Equestrian access: Several equestrian campgrounds near Yakima include special facilities for horses. At Bethel Ridge OHV Camping, riders find "Very quiet sprawling camp area" according to Jessica C., making it suitable for those traveling with horses and larger trailers.
