Yakima River
Ellensburg to Roza Dam(Yakima Canyon)
| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 24 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 26, 2025 |
River Description
Scenic float through the Yakima Canyon.
River Features
Rinehart City Park Ramp Put-in
Access on river left.
WDFW Thrall River Access
Day use area and river access administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. At Highway 821 mile 24.8 turn west on Ringer Loop Road and take it 0.4 mile down to the river.
Big Horn Access
A private access that was acquired by Bureau of Land Management is a key access point in the Yakima River Canyon. It offers both overnight and day use amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, nearby dumpsters, toilets, and a non-motorized river put in/takeout site. It located at Highway 821 mile 21.6.
Roadside
Informal roadside access where river access is feasbile at a pull-out. It is located at Highway 821 mile 19.1.
Umtanum Creek Recreation Site Access
The Umtanum recreation site administered by Bureau of Land Management 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 on river left. 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. It is located at Highway 821 mile 16.2.
Red's Fly Shop Access
Access on river left behind Red's Fly Shop. The access is lcoated at Highway 821 mile 14.7.
Lmuma Creek Access
Lmuma Creek is the smallest river access site managed by Bureau of Land Management in the Yakima River Canyon. It 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. It is located at Highway 821 mile 12.4.
WDFW Milepost 10 Access
Day-use river access administered by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. It is located at Highway 821 mile 10.1.
Big Pines Recreation Site Access
The Big Pines recreation site is the largest recreation site administered by Bureau of Land Management in the Yakima River Canyon, and 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. There are also several group campsites and several walk-in only campsites. It is located at Highway 821 mile 9.7.
WDFW 8 mile
Day-use river access administered by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. It is located at Highway 821 mile 8.4.
Roza Recreation Site Take-out
The Roza recreation site is administered by Bureau of Land Management and offers both overnight and day use amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, nearby dumpsters, vault toilets and a motorized river put in/takeout site. This site is the main takeout for all river floaters, as it is located a half-mile above Roza Dam. Upstream of the Roza boat launch, the river is limited to non-motorized boats only. Downstream of the launch, motor boats are permitted in the area above Roza Dam. It is located at Highway 821 mile 7.1.