Yakima River

Good access is not available at this site that is near the end of the Yakima Canyon.

This is the first good access downstream of Roza Dam on river left just upstream of the Naches River confluence. The site has a paved parking area, picnic area, toilet, and a paved ramp suitable for trailered boats.

Located on river left just upstream of the interstate highway bridge along Thorp Road (note that Thorp Road is under a long-term closure in the downstream direction so you need to approach the site from the north). This access point serves as a take-out point above the two hazardous low-head dams just downstream. The concrete ramp is suitable for trailered boats. The site is administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

This low-head dam was originally constructed in 1916 and includes two diversion structures spanning the east and west channels of the Yakima River downstream of Union Gap. The dam serves as the primary diversion point for the Wapato-Satus Unit of the Wapato Irrigation Project, with a capacity to divert up to 2,040 cfs into the Wapato Irrigation Project Main Canal.

The Sunnyside Dam is a low-head dam that functions as an irrigation diversion. The dam was constrcuted in its present form in 1907 although diversions for irrigation date back to the 1880's.

Access on river left that serves as a put-in below the two hazardous low-head dams located just upstream. The site is accessed from the Yakima Valley Highway where Mellis Road passes under Interstate 82. Take the Mellis Frontage Road west to the access point that is administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The site has a parking area and a concrete ramp down to the water.

This access on river left can be a little tricky to find. The road to access is the site looks like a driveway off the Yakima Highway adjacent to the mailbox for 6412 Yakima Valley Highway. It's a short one-line drive that passes through a large culvert under Interstate Highway 82. From there the road ends at a river access but it is not usable by trailers in its current state. The site can be used by hand-carry craft. It is adminsitered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and requires a Discover Pass.

Parking is on river left on the upstream side of the Zillah Road Bridge. There is no ramp to the water at this location. Access to the gravel bar along the river is on the downstream river left side of the bridge. The site has a permanent toilet and is administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and requires a Discover Pass.

Access on river left on the upstream side of the highway bridge in Granger adjacent to a local park. The access is a dirt ramp suitable for trailered boats with a gravel parking area and is administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife that requires a Discover Pass.

Access on river left on the upstream side of the Mabton Road Bridge. The site has a gravel parking area and dirt ramp to the river that is suitable for trailered boats. The site is administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and requires a Discover Pass.

Located on river right in Prosser serving as a take-out upstream of Prosser Dam, a low-head dam to be avoided. The access is part of a local community park in Prosser and has a concrete ramp suitable for trailered boats that provides access to the water.

Low-head dam serving as an irrigation diversion that requires a portage.

This site can be used as an access on river right below the dam in Prosser. The park is on the upstream side of the bridge. The river access is on the downstream side of the bridge where a trail leads to the water that is suitable for hand-carry craft.

This access is on river left in Benton City. It is commonly used as a put-in for the run down to Horn Rapids and is the start of the Tapteal Water Trail. The site has a large parking area and is administed by Benton City. It has a paved ramp at the upstream end of the site suitable for trailered boats and shoreline access at the downstream end of the site that can be used for hand-carry craft.

River access at Highway 225 mile 6.8. The access from the road is a rough high clearance vehicle route down to the water. An alternative is to access the site from farther downstream by driving up the dirt road along the river. The access ramp downstream in the park is a much better option.

This recreation site is administered by Benton County has a campground, toilets, and a boat launch. The launch area has a concrete ramp with parking for 7 vehicles with trailers. A larger parking area is nearby. Access on river left just upstream of the hazardous Horn Rapids Dam. This access can be used as a take-out for the run from Benton City. It is managed by Benton County Parks.

This is a very hazardous dam that has been the site of fatalities. Take out upstream of the dam or be sure to portage on river left. The original dam was constructed in 1892 and the current concrete structure was constructed in 1997. The dam is still used by the Yakama Nation as a traditional fishing location.

Access point on river left that can be used as a put-in downstream of Horn Rapids Dam. The site has parking along the approach road, portable toilet, and dirt ramp to access the water that is accessible for trailered boats. The site is 0.9 mile down a washboard road. It is administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and requires a Discover Pass.

The river access is on the downstream river right side of the right channel bridge. At one time the public could drive down to a small load and unload zone and park on adjacent Columbia Irrigation District property. All the immediate available parking has been signed as no parking in response to neighbor complaints on the level of use this site was receiving. The result is hand-carry craft can access the river at this site but parking options are very limited.

Access point at the end of Hyde Road on river left. This is a good access usable by trailed boats with a dirt ramp. The site has a gravel parking area and a portable toilet. It is adjacent to residential areas so please be mindful of the neighbors. The site is administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and requires a Discover Pass.

This is a highly developed river access site on the downstream river right side of the Highway 224 Bridge. It has a paved parking area for 50 cars, a toilet, and steps down to the river. The site is suitable for hand carry craft but requires navigating the rip rap along the shoreline. During fishing season the site can be busy with bank fishermen.

New access point on river left on the upstream side of the Duportail Bridge. The site is administered by Washington Deparment of Fish and Wildlife and requires a Discover Pass. It has a large gravel parking area, portable toilet, and dirt ramp down to the water's edge.

Gravel parking area with portable toilet. The area has nature trails which represent most of the visitors to the site. It's a 100 yard carry to the river suitable for hand carry craft but bank access is steep.

Paved parking area for 20 cars and 4 trailers. Portable toilet. The site has a good paved ramp and adjacent dock.