Established Camping
Umtanum Campground - Yakima River Canyon
Umtanum Campground, near Ellensburg, Washington, is a cozy spot along the Yakima River Canyon that’s perfect for a quick getaway. With a handful of sites, it’s a great place to park your RV or pitch a tent and soak in the stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
This campground is known for its friendly atmosphere and access to outdoor activities. Visitors rave about the nearby hiking trails, with one camper noting, “The hiking is a pleasure in the area, with lots of wildlife.” You can also enjoy fishing or floating on the river, making it a popular spot for summer fun. Just be aware that it can get busy during peak times, especially around holidays.
Amenities are basic but functional, with picnic tables and fire rings available at each site. While there’s no drinking water or electric hookups, the vault toilets are kept clean, and there’s a dumpster for trash disposal. As one reviewer mentioned, “Nice spacious private sites” make it a comfortable place to unwind after a day of exploring.
If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat with easy access to nature, Umtanum Campground is a solid choice. Just remember to bring your own water and firewood, and you’ll be set for a memorable camping experience.
Description
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.
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
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiGood
- 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