A number of entries ago I wrote about the beautiful Yakima Canyon and the many camping opportunities offered by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management). Now that summer has officially arrived, there is one more family fun activity I would like to share.
Each summer, the Yakima River becomes a virtual byway with young and old taking to inner tubes and enjoying a lazy float down river. On a warm sunny summer weekend, you will find dozens, sometimes hundreds or maybe even thousands of people basking on tubes and rafts soaking in the sun at the pace of the river’s gentle flow.
It’s a quiet and inexpensive way to recreate for a few hours. Best of all, you can launch or end your journey from your RV. The most popular floating route (and safest) involves putting in at Umtanum Creek Recreation Area and taking out at the Roza Recreation Site (both sites offer camping). The trip between the two is roughly eight miles and will take three to four hours to float. There are several operators that provide shuttle service if you don’t have a second vehicle to get from one end to the other. Camping is only $15 per night making this a low cost, family fun adventure in RVing!
PS. Don’t forget your personal floatation device. They are required by law and will make sure you have a safe, fun-filled adventure.
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