Yakima River Canyon Campgrounds (Umtanum, Lmuma Creek, Big Pines, Roza)

Yakima River Canyon

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.

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.

Need to Know

• 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 30 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.
• Yakima River Canyon does contain private land, be aware of where you are.

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

• Dogs must be on a leash.
• 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.
• Only one RV is allowed per site.

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.

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.

Contact Information

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BLM WENATCHEE FIELD OFFICE 915 WALLA WALLA AVENUE Wenatchee WA 98801

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 509-665-2100

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

Located along the Washington State Scenic Byway of Highway 821 "Canyon Road" 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.

Available Campsites

• Site 03, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 07, Loop Lmuma Creek, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 28, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 25, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 09, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 01, Loop Lmuma Creek, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 37, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 31, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 27, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 24, Loop Big Pines, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 02, Loop Lmuma Creek, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 30, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 06, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 14, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 05, Loop Umtanum, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 04, Loop Roza, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 03, Loop Lmuma Creek, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 04, Loop Lmuma Creek, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 18, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 02, Loop Roza, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 34, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 06, Loop Lmuma Creek, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 33, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 02, Loop Umtanum, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Walk In C, Loop Big Pines, Type Walk To
• Site 21, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 05, Loop Roza, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Campsite D, Loop Big Pines, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 06, Loop Roza, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 01, Loop Roza, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 03, Loop Roza, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 15, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 38, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 23, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 02, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 06, Loop Umtanum, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 03, Loop Umtanum, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 01, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 19, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 13, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 11, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 08, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 20, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 04, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 10, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 36, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 26, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 05, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 32, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 12, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 22, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Walk In A, Loop Big Pines, Type Walk To
• Site 16, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 35, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 17, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 29, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 05, Loop Lmuma Creek, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 01, Loop Umtanum, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 04, Loop Umtanum, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Campsite E, Loop Big Pines, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 07, Loop Big Pines, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site Walk In B, Loop Big Pines, Type Walk To

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