Big Pines
The gentle Yakima River winds for 27 miles through massive basalt cliffs and rolling desert hills between Ellensburg and Yakima, Washington. The Canyon offers excellent wildlife watching, plant viewing, fishing in a Blue Ribbon trout stream, family river rafting and camping. The Bureau of Land Management administers over 9700 acres in the Yakima River Canyon area, including five developed river access sites. If reservation holder doesn't show up by then, the site is released. Hookups and potable water are not provided. The recreation sites are open year round, with the largest crowds filling the sites on hot summer weekends.
More like this: reservable in Washington · pets allowed in Washington
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 37 |
| Tent-only | 3 |
| Walk-in | 3 |
Site guide
43 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Standard | Back-in | 46 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 10 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| 02 | Standard | Back-in | 53 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 10 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| 03 | Standard | Back-in | 73 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 04 | Standard | Back-in | 91 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 05 | Standard | Back-in | 70 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 06 | Standard | Back-in | 55 | Paved | Partial | Riverfront | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 07 | Standard | Back-in | 73 | Paved | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 08 | Standard | Back-in | 54 | Paved | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 09 | Standard | Back-in | 78 | Paved | Riverfront | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 10 | Standard | Back-in | 65 | Paved | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Seattle, take I-90 east to Ellensburg Exit 109 (Highway 821 Canyon Road). At the traffic circle, take the second exit onto South Canyon Road. Stay on the road, which will take you south through the Yakima River Canyon. Big Pines campground is located at milepost 9 on the Canyon Road.
| Nearest town | Wenatchee, Washington |
| Coordinates | 46.7994° N, 120.4614° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireAncient Lakes
34 mi from the campground · 15 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 6.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Worley-Bugger Fly Shop & Guide Service ↗ | 12.7 mi |
| RV sales & service | Central Washington RV ↗ | 14.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
BIG PINES RECREATION SITE CAMPGROUND REVIEW | EASTERN WASHINGTON BLM CAMPING
Worth a stop
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.
- 12.4 mi
- 12.4 mi
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- James Gleed BarnBuilding · Naches · 11.7 mi
- Dr. Paschal and Agnes Gray HouseBuilding · Ellensburg · 12.6 mi
- Milwaukee Chicago St. Paul & Pacific Railroad–Kittitas DepotBuilding · Kittitas · 12.9 mi
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.
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.
Guidebooks for Washington
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Big Pines?
Sites at Big Pines are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Pines?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Big Pines have?
43 sites, including 37 standard sites without power, 3 tent-only sites, and 3 walk-in sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Big Pines?
Big Pines is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Big Pines?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big Pines. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Big Pines?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Big Pines?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and T-Mobile 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Big Pines?
The Yakima River Canyon is enjoyed all year, by people of all ages. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Big Pines?
Wenatchee, Washington. The State Scenic Byway of Highway 821 follows the Yakima River through the canyon running between the cities of Ellensburg and Yakima, WA.
Source: Getting there
What if Big Pines is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Windy Point Campground (22.4 mi), Cottonwood Campground (27.7 mi, partly first-come), and Willows Campground (28.7 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby