Home/Yakima River Canyon/Big Pines

Recreation.govWA

Big Pines

Yakima River Canyon

Set availability alert Official reservation

Upcoming Availability

9 of 14 days currently show available sites.

View releasing sites

Mon, Jul 27

None

available

Tue, Jul 28

sites

Wed, Jul 29

sites

Thu, Jul 30

sites

Fri, Jul 31

None

available

Sat, Aug 1

None

available

Sun, Aug 2

sites

Mon, Aug 3

sites

Tue, Aug 4

sites

Wed, Aug 5

sites

Thu, Aug 6

sites

Fri, Aug 7

None

available

Sat, Aug 8

None

available

Sun, Aug 9

sites

Campground guide

What to know before booking

The gentle Yakima River winds for 27 miles through massive basalt cliffs and rolling desert hills between Ellensburg and Yakima, Washington. The Big Pines recreation site is BLM's largest recreation site 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. The gentle Yakima River winds for 27 miles through massive basalt cliffs and rolling desert hills in the Yakima River Canyon of central Washington.

Official campground details, summarized

Concise planning notes based on the public Recreation.gov campground information.

Facilities

The Big Pines recreation site is BLM's largest recreation site 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. The northern edge of the site is adjacent to undeveloped hiking trails on land managed by WA Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Natural Features

The gentle Yakima River winds for 27 miles through massive basalt cliffs and rolling desert hills in the Yakima River Canyon of central Washington. Formed from the slow carving of the Yakima River through the enormous folds (anticlines) in the otherwise nearly "flat" basalt layers of the Columbia Basin, the Yakima River Canyon shelters a range of habitats, making home to a diverse mixture of Eastern Washington flora and fauna. Bighorn sheep, elk and mule deer can often be spotted on the river’s banks, and the canyon’s sheer cliffs and crevices are home to the state’s densest concentration of nesting hawks, eagles and falcons. Over 200 species of birds use the Yakima Canyon for breeding and nesting, as a migration route or a winter residence. A thriving "Blue Ribbon" trout stream, the Yakima is managed for quality catch and release trout fishing, and anglers share the water with summer floaters and rafters. Access to the various recreation sites and river access points is easy, as State Route 821 parallels the river. This was the first highway in Washington to be designated a State Scenic Byway in 1968, and today's visitors enjoy the same scenic beauty as experienced by Native American tribes and settlers to the area.

Recreation

The Yakima River Canyon is enjoyed all year, by people of all ages. Summers are crowded, with thousands of people floating the Yakima River. Visitors also enjoy camping, picnicking and motorized watercraft use in the half-mile long pool above Roza dam. During the quieter months of spring, fall and winter, popular activities include wildlife viewing, hiking, hunting and fishing.

Nearby Attractions

The State Scenic Byway of Highway 821 follows the Yakima River through the canyon running between the cities of Ellensburg and Yakima, WA. Central Washington University, and Cowiche Canyon trails are nearby. 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.

Campsite map

Extra vehicle overnight fee: Campsite fees include parking for two vehicles at each campsite. There is a $10 per vehicle, per night fee to park an extra vehicle. Extra vehicles must be registered using the yellow day use envelopes available at the fee station at each recreation site, and must be parked at the designated campsite (if room on the parking pad), or in designated extra vehicle parking spaces in the parking lot.

Surrounding campgrounds

Other tracked campgrounds within driving distance, nearest first.

Little Naches Campground

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

32.8 mi

Gotchen Guard Station

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

65 mi

Steliko Lookout

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

65.3 mi

Picnic Vista

Mud Mountain Dam (White River)

73.4 mi

Tyee Lookout

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

73.6 mi

Lewis River Hc (Wa) Gifford Pinchot Nf

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

78.5 mi

Common questions

Is Big Pines available right now?

Kestrel's most recent scan found openings on 9 of the next 14 days, starting Tue, Jul 28. Availability changes constantly — check the calendar above, then confirm on Recreation.gov.

How do I book Big Pines?

Reservations are handled by Recreation.gov, not by Kestrel. Use the official reservation link on this page to book. Kestrel only watches availability and tells you when a site frees up.

How quickly will I hear about a cancellation?

Kestrel rescans every two minutes, and every 30 seconds during the provider's daily release window. Alerts go out by email as soon as a matching site appears.