About Yakima River Canyon
The gentle Yakima River winds through rolling desert hills and basalt cliffs, some rising more than 2,000 feet, for 27 miles between Ellensburg and Yakima, Washington. The canyon offers excellent wildlife watching, fishing for Blue Ribbon trout, family-friendly rafting, and camping. The canyon's crevices and cliffs make a perfect home for the densest concentration of nesting hawks, eagles, and falcons in the state. The BLM manages over 9,000 acres in the Yakima River Canyon area, and the Yakima River State Scenic Byway provides access to BLM's five developed river access sites including Bighorn, Umtanum, Lmuma Creek, Big Pines, and Roza.Know Before You GoOpen season: Yakima River Canyon Recreation Sites are open year-round.Four campground and day-use sites available, including Roza, Big Pines, Lmuma Creek, and Umtanum.Fees: $15 overnight, $5 day-use.Campsite reservations: May 1 to September 30; first come, first serve October 1 to April 30.No drinking water or hookups available.Cellular phone coverage is limited in many areas of the Yakima River Canyon.Point of InterestLocated just south of Ellensburg, the non-motorized trails at Ringer Road Trailhead offer visitors glimpses of the wildlife and birds that inhabit the riparian areas next to the Yakima River.
How to Get There
From Ellensburg, Washington, take Hwy 821 (Canyon Road) south into the Yakima River Canyon. Umtanum is located at milepost 16, Lmuma Creek is located at milepost 12, Big Pines is located at milepost 10 and Roza is located at milepost 7, a half mile above Roza dam and about 25 miles south of Ellensburg.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Yakima River Canyon
Heading to Yakima River Canyon? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Yakima River Canyon?
Yes — reservations can be made on Recreation.gov. Popular sites fill quickly, especially weekends and holidays. Book up to 6 months in advance.
How do I get to Yakima River Canyon?
From Ellensburg, Washington, take Hwy 821 (Canyon Road) south into the Yakima River Canyon. Umtanum is located at milepost 16, Lmuma Creek is located at milepost 12, Big Pines is located at milepost 10 and Roza is located at milepost 7, a half mile above Roza dam and about 25 miles south of Ellensburg.
How do I contact Yakima River Canyon?
You can reach the park at phone: 509-665-2100 or email: BLM_OR_WN_Mail@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
