Yakima Sportsman State Park
Yakima Sportsman State Park is a 247-acre day-use and overnight camping park located in arid eastern Washington just east of Yakima, Washington. Located on the floodplain of the Yakima River, it truly is an oasis in the middle of a desert.
Being so close to the city, the park attracts lots of local picnickers and because it is so close to the highway, it is a great place to pull of the road for those passing through on their way to other destinations.
Birders are drawn to the park to view some of the 140 bird species that have been identified in the Yakima River flood plain with its natural wetland of marshes, grasses, and ponds. Wood ducks, mallards, geese, heron, cinnamon teal, red-winged blackbirds, and hawks also make the habitat their home.
The mostly-level, well-marked trails loop around and into each other through the park. In the autumn the cottonwood, elm, and willow trees turn red, orange, and yellow. And spring brings a cavalcade of lilies along with chokecherry, dogwood, and blossoming catalpa trees. Flowing green grass and shade from the many large trees make the park a great camping or even picnic spot even in the hot days of summer.
Yakima Sportsman Sate Park Information
| Address | 904 University Parkway Yakima, WA 98901 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (509) 575-2774 |
| Reservations | (888)226-7688 |
| Online | https://parks.state.wa.us/278/Yakima-Sportsman |
Hours
| Summer | 6:30am to Dusk |
|---|---|
| Winter | Closed |
PICNIC & DAY-USE FACILITIES
The park offers a reservable kitchen shelter with electricity as well as three roofed shelters and numerous picnic tables.
Discover Pass: A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks for day use.
CAMPSITE INFORMATION
The park has 37 standard campsites with full-hookups, one dump station, two restrooms (both ADA), and four showers (all ADA).
GROUP CAMP
The park offers a tent-only group camp that accommodates up to 100 people. The group camp features fire pits, water, restrooms and parking area.
ACTIVITIES
2 miles of hiking trails along the river dike, freshwater fishing, bird watching, horseshoes, playground, and volleyball.
Ponds and lakes are stocked with fish. Juvenile fishing is allowed year-round. Adult fishing is permitted in the river in season.
A recreational license is required for fishing.
The Juan A. Alvarez Outdoor Living Classroom in the park offers a short ADA-accessible trail and pier affording visitors a glipse at a living, working wetland.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Yakima Sportsman State Park is located within the traditional territory of the Yakama Nation. Historically, Yakama peoples had winter villages located along the Yakima River, which were used for fishing, hunting, and gathering.
The Yakima Valley Sportsmen’s Association began an effort in the early 1940s to promote game management, preserve natural resources, and develop a public park. Old clay-pigeon traps may still be found in the park. The park was acquired by Yakima County and in 1945 and was deeded to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in 1956.
The Army Corps of Engineers, in the late 1940s, built a system of dikes within the park for flood control purposes that are also now used as trails.
MORE INFORMATION
Visit the park website for brochures and maps.