In the last entry we looked at the free camping opportunities compliments of the Spokane, Washington BLM office. In this entry we will focus on the camping areas located in the scenic Yakima Canyon, which has been designated as a state scenic route and offers excellent wildlife viewing, fishing in a Blue Ribbon trout stream and family river rafting.
The Bureau of Land Management operates four campgrounds in the Yakima River Canyon. All four are located on the east shore of the Yakima River and easily accessed via State Route 821 which runs between Ellensburg and Selah, WA. Due to the easy river access, all four are extremely popular during the summer months, especially during hot spells when the river beckons those looking to cool off tubing the river. Three of the four; Roza, Lmuma Creek and Umtanum, have just 18 campsites between them, so they tend to fill up quickly in season. Your best bet for finding a campsite is at Big Pines with its 41 campsites. It is also the most RV friendly of the four with long paved spaces, some pull thru sites, picnic tables and fire rings. There is also a paved boat ramp for those RVers that bring their water toys with them.
All four campgrounds are first-come, first-served, with a seven day camping limit. Camping is $15 / night between May 15th and September 15th and free the rest of the year.
In a future installment we will look at the Umtanum Campground and the unique access it provides to a wildlife area across the river including miles of hiking opportunities.
Free to low cost sun and fun camping in a scenic river canyon, that is my kind of adventure in RVing!
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
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