The gentle flowing Yakima River winds through rolling desert hills and basalt cliffs, some of which rise more than 2,000 feet above the water flow. Along the Yakima River is a 27 miles scenic route known as SH 821, which travels from near Ellensburg, Washington southward to just north of Yakima, Washington.

The land in this desert region is mostly controlled by the Bureau of Land Management and there are four campsites along the Yakima River on SR 821, which is also known as Canyon Road, and the Yakima River is said to flow through the Yakima River Canyon.

These four campgrounds are located on Canyon Road and found along the west side of Yakima River Canyon.

The four separate campground sites in the below list begin with the most upriver site and occur in the following order as you continue driving downriver. (Elevations are measured at boat ramp waters edge)

The Yakima Indian Reservation, which was spelled Yakima until changed by the native people in 1994, is a Native American reservation in Washington state composed of a federally recognized tribe known as the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakima Nation, indigenous peoples who are descendants of a couple of the twelve Sons of Hadoram, and which modern tribes are made up of Klikitat, Palus, Wallawalla, Wanapam, Wenatchi and Yakima from those who were previously of the Pacific Interior Region Tribes together with the Wishram (Wasco) who were previously of the Pacific Coastal Region Tribes.

Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway

The Yakima River Canyon offers camping, Blue Ribbon trout fishing, family-friendly boating/rafting, picnicking and excellent wildlife viewing.

Vineyards w/ wine tasting, Bale Breaker Brewing Company, Single Hill Brewing,

Cowiche Canyon Trail, Johnson′s Orchards, Yakima Valley Museum,

Yakima Area Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

At most of the above listed federal park locations, Federal Parks Pass holders will receive half off camping fees.

All four sites are open Year Round with both Camping and Day Use sites available.

Campsite Reservations: May 1 to September 30;

First come, First serve: October 1 to April 30.

$15.00 per overnight

$5.00 per day use

Federal Parks: Federal pass holders get half off.

Gravel pad, fire ring, picnic table, vault toilet.

Also in the campground: picnic area, canoe launch.

After taking care of some business in town, I drive north on 40th avenue to US 12 and take the eastbound entrance and drive the three miles back to IH 82 where I take the northbound entrance. From here, I drive north on IH 82 to exit 26 where I turn left, take an overpass over IH 82 and US 97. Then, I drive north on SH 821 and into the Yakima River Canyon, stopping at the third Recreational Area, Lmuma Creek.

After driving most of the day, I arrive in the campsite a little after six this afternoon, I pay the overnight fee and back into my space for the night. After my long day of travel, I decide just to eat some of the can goods I had received from the help house in Oak Harbor last week.

It is quite warm this evening which causes a horde of insects to try to enter into my vehicle. It is necessary to keep the windows closed despite the warm evening, but as the sun sets below the canyon rim, the temperature drop rapidly causing the bugs finally to retreat to their nightly haunts.

Due to the fact that I am deep below the rim of the canyon, I am not able to receive enough phone signal to connect to zoom. So, Instead, I go over meeting parts by myself.

Awake to what seemed to me to be a much colder night than I had been experiencing in Oak Harbor but upon checking the temperature find it to be only a few degree lower. Still, it did feel much colder. I rise, dress in my fall blues, step outside and walk to the vault toilet. Upon return, then take my trash to the dumpster and next, grab my camera to take a few photos on this campsite.

Finally, I sit down in the pilot seat, start the engine and resume my drive south.

The drive out of the canyon continue to remain cool and I did not stop until arriving at the w-mart in Yakima, where I park, grab my computer bah and go inside for coffee, com and computer.

Awake, take a short walk to the vault toilet, and when I return, I start the jammer and resume my drive south on SH 821 taking photos of the bottom half of the Yakima River Canyon as I continue towards the city of Yakima, Washington.