Big Pines campground
Big Pines Boat launch
Big Pines Campsite with fire ring and parking space.
Big Pines Campsite 2 with fire ring and parking space.
Yakima River flowing through Big Pines campground

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
River Access River Access

Available sites

38 total sites

About Big Pines

The gentle Yakima River winds for 27 mi 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. An overnight and day use fee is charged and reservations are accepted through www.recreation.gov, campsites will only be held until checkout time (11am) the next day. 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.

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Sep 16 to Dec 31

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
River Access River Access
Water Access

Water Access

  • River Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

38 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 01, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 02, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 03, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 04, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 05, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 06, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 07, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 08, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 09, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 10, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 11, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 12, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 13, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 14, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 15, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 16, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 17, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 18, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 19, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 20, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 21, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 22, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 23, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 24, Loop: Big Pines Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 25, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 26, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 27, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 28, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 29, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 31, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
🚐 33, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 35, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 37, Loop: Big Pines RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Pull-through
⛺ Campsite D, Loop: Big Pines Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Campsite E, Loop: Big Pines Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Walk In A, Loop: Big Pines Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Walk In B, Loop: Big Pines Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ Walk In C, Loop: Big Pines Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews (289)

What Guests Are Saying

Big Pines offers a beautiful and well-maintained campground with excellent river access, making it ideal for activities like fishing and river floating. Many reviewers praised the cleanliness of the facilities and the friendly staff, highlighting the large, level sites despite some concerns about noise and shade. While there were occasional issues like overflowing dumpsters and rowdy neighbors, the overall experience remains positive, encouraging repeat visits.

Review Summary

4.1
289 reviews
5
55.4%
160
4
22.1%
64
3
11.1%
32
2
4.5%
13
1
6.9%
20

Deb P

Verified

September 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: Big Pines

5

Had I known the Yakima River Canyon was one of the most beautiful places on Earth, I would have planned more days there. As it is, I spent one glorious night on the edge of the river! I worried a bit when a train ran a few times during the day that my sleep would be disrupted, but it did not run that night. And, my spot was right next to the boat ramp so, while I enjoyed watching a few adventurers coming and going during my arrival afternoon, it was otherwise quiet. What a beautiful place! The river sounds were a lullaby that brought on a good night's rest and the hikes I took with my dog in the area, and at the river, were totally breathtaking. I highly recommend the area and these well cared for sites and amenities.

Deb P

Verified

September 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: Big Pines

5

Had I known the Yakima River Canyon was one of the most beautiful places on Earth, I would have planned more days there. As it is, I spent one glorious night on the edge of the river! I worried a bit when a train ran a few times during the day that my sleep would be disrupted, but it did not run that night. And, my spot was right next to the boat ramp so, while I enjoyed watching a few adventurers coming and going during my arrival afternoon, it was otherwise quiet. What a beautiful place! The river sounds were a lullaby that brought on a good night's rest and the hikes I took with my dog in the area, and at the river, were totally breathtaking. I highly recommend the area and these well cared for sites and amenities.

Shiraz V

Verified

September 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: Big Pines

1

Loud beer drinking party through the night & very messy outhouses.

Shiraz V

Verified

September 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: Big Pines

1

Loud beer drinking party through the night & very messy outhouses.

Darrell G

Verified

October 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: Big Pines

5

Beautiful location with lots to explore. The canyon never disappoints.

Darrell G

Verified

October 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: Big Pines

5

Beautiful location with lots to explore. The canyon never disappoints.

Ryan P

Verified

May 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: Big Pines

5

Nice spot by the river. Mild noise from the train and highway but overall it’s pleasant. Close to Yakima.

Ryan P

Verified

May 27, 2023 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: Big Pines

5

Nice spot by the river. Mild noise from the train and highway but overall it’s pleasant. Close to Yakima.

Jackie K

Verified

May 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: Big Pines

3

Campsite seemed well taken care of.
The first night was hot.
The second night was very very windy. Grit was blowing into our dinner. Had to take our awning down for fear of damage.
Is that what we should expect in a campground in a canyon? maybe. I think this was because a weather front was coming in. So do be prepared.

Jackie K

Verified

May 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: Big Pines

3

Campsite seemed well taken care of.
The first night was hot.
The second night was very very windy. Grit was blowing into our dinner. Had to take our awning down for fear of damage.
Is that what we should expect in a campground in a canyon? maybe. I think this was because a weather front was coming in. So do be prepared.

Location & Directions for Big Pines

Blm Wenatchee Field Office, Wenatchee, WA 98801 United States

Elevation: 397 ft

Getting There

<p>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...

Nearest town

Wenatchee, WA - 91 mi

About over 1 hr (106 min) to downtown

Highway access

Big Pines campground is accessible via I-90, with the nearest exit being Ellensburg Exit 109, which connects to Highway 821 (Canyon Road). Canyon Road directly leads to the campground, located at milepost 9.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 20, 2026

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Explore Wenatchee, WA

Population: 35,484

Nearby city: Kennewick, WA

Approx. 76 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 659 ft

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Managed by the Bureau of Land Management