Overview

The gentle Yakima River winds for 27 miles through massive basalt cliffs and rolling desert hills between Ellensburg and Yakima, Washington. The Canyon offers excellent wildlife watching, plant viewing, fishing in a Blue Ribbon trout stream, family river rafting and camping. 

The Bureau of Land Management administers over 9700 acres in the Yakima River Canyon area, including five developed river access sites. An overnight and day use fee is charged and reservations are accepted through www.recreation.gov, Campsites will only be held until checkout time (11am) the next day. If reservation holder doesn't show up by then, the site is released. Hookups and potable water are not provided. The recreation sites are open year-round, with the largest crowds filling the sites on hot summer weekends.

Facilities

The Umtanum recreation site offers both overnight and day use amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, nearby dumpsters, vault toilets and a non-motorized river put in/takeout site. A wooden footbridge crosses the Yakima River at this site, providing the only pedestrian access point to the west side of the river within the Yakima River Canyon.

Natural Features

The gentle Yakima River winds for 27 miles through massive basalt cliffs and rolling desert hills in the Yakima River Canyon of central Washington. Formed from the slow carving of the Yakima River through the enormous folds (anticlines) in the otherwise nearly "flat" basalt layers of the Columbia Basin, the Yakima River Canyon shelters a range of habitats, making home to a diverse mixture of Eastern Washington flora and fauna. 

Bighorn sheep, elk and mule deer can often be spotted on the river’s banks, and the canyon’s sheer cliffs and crevices are home to the state’s densest concentration of nesting hawks, eagles and falcons. Over 200 species of birds use the Yakima Canyon for breeding and nesting, as a migration route or a winter residence. A thriving "Blue Ribbon" trout stream, the Yakima is managed for quality catch and release trout fishing, and anglers share the water with summer floaters and rafters. Access to the various recreation sites and river access points is easy, as State Route 821 parallels the river. This was the first highway in Washington to be designated a State Scenic Byway in 1968, and today's visitors enjoy the same scenic beauty as experienced by Native American tribes and settlers to the area.

Recreation

The Yakima River Canyon is enjoyed all year, by people of all ages. Summers are crowded, with thousands of people floating the Yakima River. Visitors also enjoy camping, picnicking and motorized watercraft use in the half-mile long pool above Roza dam. During the quieter months of spring, fall and winter, popular activities include wildlife viewing, hiking, hunting and fishing. 

Nearby Attractions

The State Scenic Byway of Highway 821 follows the Yakima River through the canyon running between the cities of Ellensburg and Yakima, WA. Central Washington University, and Cowiche Canyon trails are nearby. 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.

Important Notices

• Campsites will only be held until checkout time (11am) the next day. If reservation holder doesn't show up by then, the site is released.

• There are no hookup services and no potable water. Cellphone coverage is limited.

• Be aware of rattlesnakes, bees and poison ivy.

• River Safety: Motorized boats are only allowed between the Roza Ramp and the Roza Dam. (1/2 mile

• All visitors are required to pay and display on their vehicle(s) valid permits for overnight ($15.00 per night) or day use ($5.00 per day).Washington State Discover Passes are NOT valid on BLM-managed lands

• The reservation system is only available from May 1 - Sept 15 of each year. After reservation season has ended, all camping and day use will need to use the self-serve fee payment station at each site.

• Maximum length of stay is 7 days

• Fires are only allowed in BLM-approved metal fire rings

• Fishing is catch and release only. See Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations for more information

• Off-road vehicles are not allowed in the campgrounds

• Extra vehicle overnight fee: Campsite fees include parking for two vehicles at each campsite. There is a $10 per vehicle, per night fee to park an extra vehicle. Extra vehicles must be registered using the yellow day use envelopes available at the fee station at each recreation site, and must be parked at the designated campsite (if room on the parking pad), or in designated extra vehicle parking spaces in the parking lot

• Campsites are limited to 10 people and two vehicles per site

• Only one RV is allowed per site

• Dogs must be on a leash.

• Yakima River Canyon does contain private land, be aware of where you are

Available Activities

• Wildlife Viewing - Wildlife Viewing
• Water Sports - Water Sports
• Hiking - Hiking
• Hunting - Hunting
• Fishing - Fishing
• Camping - Camping
• Boating - Boating
• Canoeing - Canoeing
• Day Use Area - Day Use Area
• Non-Motorized Boating - Non-Motorized Boating
• Paddling - Paddling
• Picnicking - Picnicking
• Photography - Photography
• Rafting - Rafting
• River Trips - River Trips
• Scenic Drive - Scenic Drive
• Star Gazing - Star Gazing
• Swimming - Swimming
• Tubing - Tubing
• Water Access - Water Access
• Water Activities - Water Activities
• Birding - Birding

Directions

<p>From Seattle, take I-90 east to Ellensburg Exit 109 (Highway 821 Canyon Road). At the traffic circle, take the second exit onto South Canyon Road. Stay on the road, which will take you south through the Yakima River Canyon. BLM's Umtanum campgrounds is located at Mile Marker 17 along this route.</p>

Cancellation Policy

<p><strong>If I book this reservation today, what are my options to change or cancel?</strong></p> <p>Please remember that reservations at these facilities prevent other visitors from using these sites. Planned changes to your stay should be made as far in advance as possible. You can make changes to your reservation ahead of your arrival date in My Reservations.</p> <p><strong>Changes</strong></p> <p>If your new stay dates are completely different from your original stay dates, there is a $10 change fee (per reserved site). There are no additional fees for:</p> <p>Adding or removing nights to your stay.</p> <p>Changing to a different campsite.</p> <p>Balances will adjust based on your new stay's nightly rate.</p> <p><strong>Cancellations</strong></p> <p>You can cancel the reservation any time before the date of your scheduled arrival. You will receive a refund for your stay, minus the following fees:</p> <p>$10 cancellation fee</p> <p>Any reservation fees (only if paid when booking)</p> <p>Any previous change fees</p> <p>Late cancellation penalties may also apply:</p> <p><strong>What is “Late”?</strong></p> <p>For individual campsites, a late cancellation applies starting from midnight 1 calendar day before your scheduled check-in. For cabins and group sites, a late cancellation applies starting from midnight 14 calendar days or fewer before your scheduled check-in.</p> <p><strong>Late Fee</strong></p> <p>In addition to the fees listed above, a late cancellation will also subtract your first night's recreation use fee from any refund owed. As of the expected check-in day, cancellations or changes to your stay are not possible through My Reservations. It is at the facility's discretion to support additional Late Cancellations, No Show, or Early Departure updates – on-site personnel may not be able to assist. These changes carry penalties and may forfeit recreation use fees. For additional details, please visit here.</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 509-665-2100

Rental Options

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