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

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

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.

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.

Photos

Yakima River flowing through desert scenery of Yakima River Canyon in Washington State.
Yakima River flowing through desert scenery of Yakima River Canyon in Washington State.
BLM Photo
Roza Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Roza Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Lmuma Creek Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Lmuma Creek Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Umtanum Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Umtanum Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Big Pines Campsite 7 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Big Pines Campsite 7 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Stunning scenery of the Yakima River Canyon in central Washington.
Stunning scenery of the Yakima River Canyon in central Washington.
BLM Photo
Big Pines Campsite 15 with fire ring and parking space.
Big Pines Campsite 15 with fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Yakima River flowing through desert scenery of Yakima River Canyon in Washington State.
Yakima River flowing through desert scenery of Yakima River Canyon in Washington State.
BLM Photo
Roza Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Roza Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Lmuma Creek Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Lmuma Creek Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Umtanum Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Umtanum Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Big Pines Campsite 7 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Big Pines Campsite 7 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Stunning scenery of the Yakima River Canyon in central Washington.
Stunning scenery of the Yakima River Canyon in central Washington.
BLM Photo
Big Pines Campsite 15 with fire ring and parking space.
Big Pines Campsite 15 with fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Yakima River flowing through desert scenery of Yakima River Canyon in Washington State.
Yakima River flowing through desert scenery of Yakima River Canyon in Washington State.
BLM Photo
Roza Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Roza Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Lmuma Creek Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Lmuma Creek Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Umtanum Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Umtanum Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Big Pines Campsite 7 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Big Pines Campsite 7 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Stunning scenery of the Yakima River Canyon in central Washington.
Stunning scenery of the Yakima River Canyon in central Washington.
BLM Photo
Big Pines Campsite 15 with fire ring and parking space.
Big Pines Campsite 15 with fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Yakima River flowing through desert scenery of Yakima River Canyon in Washington State.
Yakima River flowing through desert scenery of Yakima River Canyon in Washington State.
BLM Photo
Roza Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Roza Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Lmuma Creek Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Lmuma Creek Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Umtanum Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Umtanum Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Big Pines Campsite 7 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Big Pines Campsite 7 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Stunning scenery of the Yakima River Canyon in central Washington.
Stunning scenery of the Yakima River Canyon in central Washington.
BLM Photo
Big Pines Campsite 15 with fire ring and parking space.
Big Pines Campsite 15 with fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Yakima River flowing through desert scenery of Yakima River Canyon in Washington State.
Yakima River flowing through desert scenery of Yakima River Canyon in Washington State.
BLM Photo
Roza Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Roza Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Lmuma Creek Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Lmuma Creek Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Umtanum Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Umtanum Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Big Pines Campsite 7 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Big Pines Campsite 7 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Stunning scenery of the Yakima River Canyon in central Washington.
Stunning scenery of the Yakima River Canyon in central Washington.
BLM Photo
Big Pines Campsite 15 with fire ring and parking space.
Big Pines Campsite 15 with fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Yakima River flowing through desert scenery of Yakima River Canyon in Washington State.
Yakima River flowing through desert scenery of Yakima River Canyon in Washington State.
BLM Photo
Roza Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Roza Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Lmuma Creek Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Lmuma Creek Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Umtanum Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Umtanum Campsite 6 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Big Pines Campsite 7 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
Big Pines Campsite 7 with picnic table, fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo
Stunning scenery of the Yakima River Canyon in central Washington.
Stunning scenery of the Yakima River Canyon in central Washington.
BLM Photo
Big Pines Campsite 15 with fire ring and parking space.
Big Pines Campsite 15 with fire ring and parking space.
BLM Photo

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

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Activities

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WILDLIFE VIEWING
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WATER SPORTS
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HUNTING
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HIKING
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FISHING
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CAMPING
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BOATING
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CANOEING
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DAY USE AREA
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NON-MOTORIZED BOATING
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PADDLING
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PICNICKING
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PHOTOGRAPHY
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RAFTING
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SCENIC DRIVE
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SWIMMING
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TUBING
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WATER ACCESS
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BIRDING

Addresses

BLM WENATCHEE FIELD OFFICE
915 WALLA WALLA AVENUE
Wenatchee
Washington
98801

Geographic Coordinates

46.7994444, -120.4613889

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.