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The Yakima River between Yakima and Ellensburg has numerous turnouts where you can skinny dip almost anywhere.
DIRECTIONS: From Yakima, go north on I-97 to Selah and turn off on old highway 823 which parallels the Yakima River. Follow 823 north and stop at your leasure anywhere along the river as far north as Ellensburg.
SITE REVIEWS:
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 1997
From: Author Requested No Name Be Given
This river is very very senic....but it gets lots of use by all kinds of users and is no longer secluded enough for naturists use. Migrants have made camps along the river for entire summers litterally trashing the place with litter and human waste. The place is over run with bugs. Dont walk around too much with bare feet. Glass and small ground cactus will get you. Its just not far enough away from the crowds, keep heading east til you cross the columbia river. Head for naturist paradise at The Potholes, Columbia River, Soap Lake, Lake Roosevelt, Wanapum Dam. (please, no name/address)
Date: Tue, 08 Jul 1997
From: Roger Edmondson ("joshuar@televar.com"@concord.televar.com)
I was raised in Ellensbug Wa, and I think it wise to worn people who plan on visiting the river to be aware of the presence of SNAKES. If you visit the area, be sure you can treat snake bite or are familiar with the location of nearby medical facilities. I don't know how far up the canyon a cellular phone will work so don't count on it. Be advised that SNAKES go to the river for food and drink. Have fun and watch where you sit or step...
From: menard@ewa.net (Myron Menard)
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 1997
No longer recommended for nude use. Now patroled regularly. Fee system instituted at major turn-outs and boat launch. Heavy use by fly fishermen and game wardens. Another case of a fun and free area ruined by the system.
Date: Wed, 17 Jul 1996
From: Gary Berg (gberg@wolfenet.com)
I found the info on the campground to go with the Yakima River site report. It's called the Riverview Campground. Their number is 509-952-6043. Their flyer says to call after 8 PM or on weekends. They're located right on the river about midway up the canyon. They have plain campsites, RV hookups, showers, and a volleyball court.
Well, that about covers it. I hope someone finds it useful!
Talk to you later,
Gary
Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996
From: Gary Berg (gberg@wolfenet.com)
Okay, so I lied. A couple of hours instead of a couple of days. Work has been slow this afternoon. Call this a rough draft. Have a look and let me know what you think. The "CAMPING" part is incomplete, I can't remember the name of the darn place, but I'll find out. Please feel free to make constructive (or otherwise) criticisms, I've never written this type of thing before! Here you go...
The Yakima River Canyon
A beautiful canyon which follows the Yakima River and State Route 821 between Yakima and Ellensburg. There are a variety of activities available including river-floating, boating, jet-skiing, fishing and camping, yet you can still find complete seclusion along most of the river. The canyon runs predominantly north and south for about 19 miles, and is nearly 3000 feet deep in places. The area is largely unimproved, and gets very hot and dry in the summer. Bring plenty of fresh drinking water, sunscreen, and something to cover up with if you get too burnt :-(.
GETTING THERE
>From Yakima, take Interstate 82 West (it actually goes North, but who am I to argue
with the D.O.T.). 4 miles north of Yakima take the Canyon Road exit (exit 26). Turn left
at the stop sign on to SR 821. Go another 4 miles and you will come to the Roza Recreation
Site.
>From Ellensburg, just take the Canyon Road exit off I-90. Roza will be about 20 miles south on SR 821.
BOATING - JET SKIING - WATER SKIING
Roza is a popular spot for boaters and personal watercraft, and the traditional
getting-out point for river floaters. You will likely find it quite crowded on warm summer
weekends, although there's not much there besides a boat ramp, rest rooms, and a large
gravel parking lot.
Be advised that no powered boats are allowed up river from Roza. They are only allowed from Roza down to the irrigation dam, a distance of about 1 mile.
FISHING
The canyon is reported to have some of the best trout fishing in the state, and is a
spawning ground for steelhead. Be aware that the entire canyon is catch & release,
barbless hooks, and no live bait.
CAMPING
There are several primitive camping areas throughout the canyon. There is also a privately
owned campground called ************* which affers RV hookups and a shuttle bus. They can
be reached at **********. Other lodging is available just a few minutes away in either
Yakima or Ellensburg.
RIVER FLOATING
Easily the most scenic and relaxing way to enjoy the canyon. If you're looking for a
white-water adventure, you won't find it here. But if you're looking for a quiet, relaxing
way to spend a day sight-seeing, this is your place. The river is very calm, and flows
about 4 mph. It's calm enough to float on most anything; rafts, inner tubes, air
mattresses, or whatever. (I've floated it on an inner tube many times). If not for the
constantly changing scenery, you could nearly compare it to floating in a lake. Groups of
people often tie a dozen or more rafts together to make a big island. (HINT: get a cheap
one-person pool-toy raft to tie on... Perfect for carrying an ice chest and towels!) Of
course life jackets are strongly encouraged, especially for children. A float through the
whole canyon takes about 5 hours.
Most floaters will leave a vehicle at Roza before heading up the canyon. In summer months, there may be a shuttle bus available. For more information, you might try calling the Yakima Chamber of Commerce at 509-248-2021 or the Yakima Visitors Bureau at 509-575-1300.
Just head north from Roza, find a place to pull over, and jump in. There are several spots along the way, so you can take a short float or an all-afternoon journey. Once underway, you will find yourself suprisingly secluded, especially the canyon's northern end. Although the highway follows the river for much of the way, they diverge along many stretches and you will find yourself quietly alone among trees, wildlife, and 3000 foot rocky peaks. You may spy deer, elk, beavers, eagles, and a variety of other life.
I've never had any trouble with gawkers, as the few people you may see along the river banks are probably fishing or camping and minding their own business. You'll drift on by shortly anyway. You may wish to use some discretion in the few areas near the highway or campgrounds, but you will likely be in a raft and out on the water, and like I said you will drift on by shortly anyway.
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