The gentle Yakima River winds for 27 miles through massive basalt cliffs and rolling desert hills between Ellensburg and Yakima, Washington. This area is popular for wildlife viewing, fishing, and floating the river.

The Bighorn Campground is nestled along the Yakima River in Ellensburg, Washington, and provides excellent riverfront access and camping. It is located near mile marker 22 on Canyon Road and managed by Canyon River Ranch, located 7 miles south of the campground. Abundant water recreation opportunities makes this primitive, dispersed campground well worth it.

Specialty Lodging in Ellensburg

Set on the Yakima River, this KOA is a great base camp for fishing or rafting. You’re well-situated for touring the Clymer Museum of Art searching for the Ellensburg blue agate, enjoying a concert at the Gorge Amphitheatre, hiking the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, stargazing on Table Mountain or visiting Roslyn, where Northern Exposure was filmed. Central Washington University’s campus is also located in town.

An area with a plethora of desert wildflowers such as cacti flowers, balsamroot and desert buckwheat, and full panoramas of the Columbia Basin. Wander down small trails like Bitterroot Trail and Bluebird Trail to be wowed by the powerful river, basalt rock, petrified wood, wildflowers and peeping bluebirds. A map will be helpful with these hikes and be aware of rattlesnakes.

The BLM’s largest recreation site in the Yakima River Canyon, this campground is next to trails on lands managed by the WDFW. This canyon offers excellent wildlife viewing, fishing in a Blue Ribbon trout stream & family river rafting.

At the end of this pine, Aspen, brush and wildflower-lined path is a 40-foot waterfall. Falling powerfully into a basalt bowl, you can admire the waterfall from above, or you can carefully make your way down to experience it at ground level. This trail is most enjoyed during the late spring, early summer months. If you’re lucky, you may meet a kaleidoscope of butterflies or sneak a peek of sheep on the surrounding hillsides.

Come stay overnight in your RV or tent at the ranch on the scenic Yakima River in Central Washington! We offer free WiFi, power, water and septic hookups.