Water Recreation

Kittitas County is rich with water recreation opportunities, from paddling around in high mountain lakes, floating the Yakima River, to water-skiing in several waters around the county.

Water Skiing

Cle Elum Lake and Kachess Lake - The Yakima River is fed by these three large reservoirs, and all three offer great water to ski on in the summer months. Roza Reservoir - As the Yakima River leaves our its water is retained one more time, creating this smaller still water behind the dam. This is a popular place for an afternoon jet ski adventure. The Columbia River - Here you have some room to move. Easy access to the water at vantage, and minutes away from the Gorge Amphitheater, make this a the place to go on a hot summer day.

Rafting and Floating the "Yak"

"The Upper River" - From Cle Elum to the Thorp Diversion Dam, this stretch of the river is scenic and water is not generally as busy on hot summer weekends as the "Lower River". This Class 1 water meanders through, hillsides cover with Ponderosa Pine, Sagebrush as well as hay fields and livestock. "The Lower River" - From just south of Ellensburg to the Roza Dam, the river moves through the famous Yakima River Canyon. Steep basalt cliffs soar above the river, framing the water with desert beauty and abundant wildlife. Some caution is required to ensure that your party has an enjoyable trip:

Bring paddles. You'll need them to avoid trouble and other craft on the water.
Watch for signs that warn of danger ahead, such as the irrigation flume at Bristol Flats. Water plunges from the canal above the river, creating powerful and chaotic currents.
Don't attempt to navigate over the Thorp Diversion Dam. There is a pull out upstream—use it.
Watch for and steer away from downed trees, brush piles, and streamside vegetation. Nothing will end your fun faster than punctured raft.
Temperatures can vary dramatically in the desert, Be prepared.

Rill Adventures rent equipment and provide shuttle services for the Yakima River. Enjoy hassle free river floating with Rills! Let us help you plan your day, designing it to accommodate your special interests and needs. We can prepare the equipment and deliver it to the Upper River or have it ready for you to pickup for the Lower River float.

Wanapum State Park and Columbia River

Two miles south of Vantage and the Vantage Bridge, this stretch of the Columbia River is one of the more scenic in the area as it carves its way through the Columbia River Gorge. This run of the river is somewhat unique in that, as opposed to other areas of the Columbia River, most of it does not have a roadway running along its shores. This stretch of the river sees a good many recreational boaters, jet skiers, and water skiers enjoying it.

From I-90 take exit 136 and go south on Wanapum road for 3 miles. The park is on the left side of the road.

Rosa Recreation Area

Roza Recreation area is located between Yakima and Ellensburg on the Yakima River Canyon. General boating and water sports are available.Roza is the main take-out for river floaters and a fantastic place for water recreation including water skiing, jet skiing and boating. Motorized vessels are permitted from the Roza boat launch down to Roza dam. Upstream of the Roza boat launch the river is limited to non-motorized boats only. There is a concrete boat launch at the site to accommodate motorized boat users.

Take the SR 821 (Canyon Rd) exit, follow SR 821 north 1 mile past Roza Dam. Take a left at entrance sign.

Kachess Lake

Kachess Lake is a long and narrow lake, so it is not quite the ideal water skiing spot. But outdoor activities abound on the lake includes fishing, boating and water skiing. The water level really drops in the summer making it hard to launch a boat.

Kachess Campground is a 5 1/2 mile drive from Interstate 90 on exit 62.

Cle Elum Lake

Cle Elum dam and Lake are located eight miles northwest of Cle Elum.Water skiing, jet skiing, and swimming are available.There are three boat launch sites on Cle Elum Lake, Wish Poosh, Morgan Creek and Dry Creek.

Take I-90 to Cle Elum and turn north on Highway 903

Keechelus Boat Ramp

Keechelus Boat Ramp also has a picnic area, trailhead to the Iron Horse Trail, and is also near the trailhead to Keechelus Lake Trail. The boat ramp has a steep grade and adequate traction. No designated disabled parking. No overnight parking or camping. A second ramp is located 500 feet to the east of the first ramp area. Both ramps are asphalt with 22 trailer parking spots, paved and striped.

From I-90, take Exit 54 (Hyak), S (toward ski area) to stop sign; L towards DOT facility, follow Rd 1.5 mi to boat ramp.

Kachess Boat launch

The campground is situated in old growth evergreens and surrounded by high mountains. There are 55 camp sites, first come first served and 10 picnic sites. Popular activities include fishing, boating, hiking, swimming, bird watching and water skiing.

There are two boat launches. These water accesses accommodate car toppers and trailer boats and there is ample parking for vehicles and trailers. The south boat launch is paved; and the north boat launch is maintained gravel. On busy summer weekends, the boat launch and day use fill up fast. There is a $7.00 launch fee for non campers.There are no docks so, if it is windy, two people are almost a must to launch or retrieve a boat.

Kachess Campground is a 5 1/2 mile drive from Interstate 90 on exit 62.

Lake Easton Boat Ramp

The park has 95 tent spaces, 45 utility spaces, one dump station, four restrooms and four showers. All sites are in a wooded setting. Most tent sites are near the Yakima River, and most RV spaces are near Lake Easton. Year-round recreational opportunities abound in this beautiful park, which offers a swimmable beach and a boat launch.

The boat ramp is in fair shape a few broken planks. There is a fee to use the boat ramp ($5.00). Canoe and paddle boat rentals are available. The swimming area is 200 yards from the boat ramp. Car and Trailer parking paved and striped.

From Snoqualmie Pass, go east on I-90 18 miles to Exit 70. The entrance to the park is on south side of I-90, next to a private campground. The boat ramp is on left .5 mile from park entrance

Lavender Lake Boat Ramp

The boat ramp has a gentle grade, but there is an abrupt drop at the shoreline. No designated disabled parking. No overnight parking or camping. This is a small body of water that may be best suited for smaller boats. Additional parking can be found along the roadway on the south end of the lake. Ramp, car parking & trailer parking gravel.

Take exit 74 on I-90 and turn right. Lavender Lake is directly ahead about 50 feet.

Scatter Creek Campground Ramp

This site is primarily limited to smaller trailerable watercraft or hand launching boats. The boat access site is located on a section of the river with a slow to moderate current. Trailerable watercraft will find the ramp rutted and muddy. The site is actually the outlet to Tacquala (Fish) Lake. Motorboats are limited to use of the channel meandering through the lake. Several primitive campsites and a vault toilet are located near the ramp area. Boat ramp is natural and primitive. Parking gravel.

From Cle Elum travel northwest on SR 903. Go 19 miles to Salmon La Sac Campground. Go north on FR 4330 10 miles and cross Scatter Creek, turn left into campground.

Roza Recreational Area Boat Launch

The Roza Recreational Site has picnic tables, fire-rings, campsites, and barbecue grills and boat launch. Motorized vessels and boating is allowed south from this point. No motorized vessels are permitted up river from this site.

The boat ramp has moderate grade and is located on a section of river with a slow to moderate current. The boat launch is paved and striped with ample parking.

From Ellensburg travel south on Canyon Road down the Yakima River Canyon. From Yakima travel on I-82 north. Take the SR 821 (Canyon Rd) exit, follow SR 821 north 1 mile past Roza Dam. Take a left at entrance sign.

Mattoon Lake Boat Ramp

The boat ramp has a gentle grade, but algae growth on the ramp surface hinders traction. No designated disabled parking. Camping is limited to three days. A road and several parking areas surround most of the lake for bank fishing. This is a small body of water that may not be suitable for larger watercraft. Additional parking can be found along the roadway around the lake.

The boat ramp is concrete. Car and trailer parking available on gravel surface.

Cle Elum Boat Ramp

Cle Elum dam and Lake are located eight miles northwest of Cle Elum. Cle Elum, Kachess, and Keechelus reservoirs are in the Wenatchee National Forest. Camping, swimming, boating, picnicking, and fishing are available at all three reservoirs. Fishing also available in the streams below the dams.

There are three boat launch sites on Cle Elum Lake, Wish Poosh, Morgan Creek and Dry Creek. See other listings for more information.

Wish Poosh Campground Boat Ramp

Campground is a fee campground. Located eight miles northwest of Cle Elum on Cle Elum Valley Road, Hwy #903. There are 34 camping units (22 reserved, 11 first come), 16 picnicking units, flush toilets, potable water, barbeque grills, paved boat launch, and swimming area. Activities include picnicking, fishing, water sports, boating or canoeing.

Boat launch is paved with a $6.00 use fee.

Take I-90 to Cle Elum and turn north on Highway 903, following it for six miles through Roslyn and up the east side of the lake.

Morgan Creek Boat Ramp

This site offers primitive campsites and lake access. Camping is limited to fourteen day stay. When the reservoir is full the boat ramp has a gradual grade. No other amenities other than parking, campsites, and lake access. When reservoir is at full capacity maneuvering a vehicle with a trailer may be difficult. Morgan Creek camp sites are $5/night.

Launch, trailer parking and car parking gravel

Take I-90 to Cle Elum and turn north on Highway 903, following it for six miles through Roslyn and up the east side of the lake.

Dry Creek Boat Ramp

This site is a primitive camping area that offers access to the lake. No formal parking area. No other amenities at this site besides parking, campsites, and lake access. Gravel camping and parking areas. Camp Sites fees are $5/night.

The boat ramp has a gentle grade.

From Cle Elum travel northwest on SR 903 for 14 miles. Just before Dry Creek, turn left on a gravel road and go one tenth of a mile to the boat ramp. Trailer and vehicle parking are gravel. TheRamp too is gravel.

Owhi Boat Ramp

Owhi is located 5 miles off the Cle Elum Valley Road #903 above Cle Elum Lake at Cooper Lake. There are 22 walk-in camping sites, camper/trailer facilities not available. There are vault toilets, stoves, tables, boat launch, no motors on boats, and no potable water.

Camping, picnicking, fishing, hiking, photography, non-motorized boating.

Primitive boat launch for non-motorized boats.

Wanapum Recreation Area (State park) Boat Launch

Two miles south of Vantage is Wanapum Recreation Area. The park's grassy, tree filled area features picnicking, swimming, boat ramp, trailer park and camping. This is a popular area for water skiing and soaking in the sun.

The boat ramp is concrete planks but in fair shape. The road to the boat launch is paved and striped. The campground in the park is within short walking distance. Wanapum Dam is just two miles south of the park. A fee is charged to use the ramp ($4.00). The campground provides full hook-ups.

From I-90 take Exit 136. Go south on Wanapum Rd for 3 miles. The park is on the left.

Ginko State Park Boat Launch

The Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park covers nearly 7500 acres with 26,620 feet of freshwater shoreline. Activities include hiking, picnicking, camping, interpretive appreciation, water skiing, swimming, and fishing

This boat ramp has a gentle grade. Debris and gravel accumulate on the ramp. This site is an extension of the road leading to the reservoir. No formal parking at this site. Parking is along the roadway. No other amenities. Boat launch is paved.

From I-90, take Exit 136 (Vantage), go North 1 mile on Vantage Highway. Take a right on unmarked paved road next to State Park boundary and go one mile to the end or the road.

Vantage Boat Ramp

The boat ramp has a gentle grade and adequate traction. The sides of the ramp are reinforced with asphalt as an erosion control. Vantage Point also has a few picnic tables and barbecue grills. Boat ramp is concrete, solid paved and striped.

Vantage Exit 136 from I-90.

Floating the Yakima River

Floating the Yakima River is a great way to spend a weekend in Kittitas County. Kittitas County’s dry, arid, sunny days make these floats especially nice. Depending on the section you decided to float, most of the river is an easy class 1 or 2 experience. The river can be floated with numerous vessels, but there are several places in the area that rent rafts and gear for the safest experience available.

The time of year might influence your decision as to where to float. During the Spring and Summer the upper river offers towering pines, basalt cliffs and some fun rapids to experience. But the canyon section during the fall offer full autumn colors, wildlife viewing and a mellow class 1 river floating to enjoy. Both are unique and enjoyable!

There are several places to “put in” and take out, listed under Water Recreation/Rafting & Canoeing.

Upper Yakima River (Exit 78, Golf Coarse Road)

On I-90 take exit 78 (Golf Course Road). From the exit head north to Hundley Rd, go left (west) on Hundley, it parallels I-90 on the north side. Go all the way to the end (about 2 miles) to a turnaround. There is a dirt road (Department of Game and Wildlife) which goes down to a parking lot and river access area. (Fishing parking permits are required if you leave a car)

The pull out is just under the bridge where I-90 crosses the Yakima. From the exit go south and take a left on the small fronting road the parallels the highway. Head down about a half mile, there is a pull out where the road bends right by the river. If you go to the Sun Country residential area you've gone too far. Float time about 2.5 to 3 hours.

Upper River (Cle Elum to Thorp)

River “put in” is just 5 miles southeast of Cle Elum at the boat ramp near the Teanaway River. The ramp is near where highway 10 intersects with Highway 970. It is a Department of Fish and Wildlife access area and you will need a $10 access decal to fish or launch a boat or raft. Decals can be picked up at any place that sells fishing licenses.

Warning: In the fall months, about an hour into the float you may come across some “Danger” signs warning to exit the river. This is because an irrigation canal “shoot” dumps water into the Yakima at this point. Heed the warning! The water shoots across the Yakima River and is extremely dangerous. The water creates a whirlpool and is impossible to paddle out of! Portage at this point is crucial!

One exit point is Swauk Creek, but the Kittitas County Reclamation District (KRD) has blocked the access road so it is quite a hike up the hill to haul your gear.

The most popular place to pull out is just before the diversion dam at what the locals call the “land slide.” About 300 yards ahead of time there will be another danger sign about the Diversion Dam ahead. At this point start moving over to the left of the river. The water on the left is still and makes it fairly easy getting out and pulling the boat to shore. It takes scramble up the hill to load up your gear. Note: Do not try to maneuver past the Diversion Dam! It is extremely dangerous!

This float is approximately 34 miles so, depending on the time of the year, will take some time.

Lower Yakima Canyon - Ringer Road > Rosa Dam

Take I-90 to exit 109 into Ellensburg and head south on Canyon Road. There is a truck stop just south of the exit. Head south on Canyon Road and Ringer Loop Road will be on your right. The boat launch area is about half way around the loop. Drop off all of your equipment and people and continue back down Canyon road to the Roza Dam Recreation Area to drop off the cars to come back. (Both of these areas need a Department of Fish and Wildlife access permit for each vehicle.)

Warning: The area of the river just below Ringer Road has numerous snags and debris. It can be extremely dangerous. Floaters often put in further down the canyon for a safer entrance and a shorter float. (see below)

Ringer to Roza float, depending on the time of year, should take 4-5 hours.

Additional Access Points (Put in or take out’s)

Umptanum Recreation Area: This fee access spot is just north of mile post 16 off of Canyon Road.

Red's Fly Shop and Lodge: A mile farther downstream is Red's Fly Shop and Lodge, where you can launch or take out for a fee. Go to: Red's Fly Shop.

Squaw Creek Access: Between mile 12 and mile 13 along Canyon Road is the Bureau of Land Management's Squaw Creek Recreation Site. This newly developed site has a paved boat ramp, picnic tables, tent sites, and pit toilets. Fees apply.

The Slab: Near mile 10 is a rough ramp/take-out with a stretch of bank access.

Roza Recreation Site: The last take-out spot is BLM's Roza Recreation Area, marked with a large sign and easy to see from the road. It has a wide blacktop ramp, large paved parking area, pit toilets, and camping sites.

Rill Adventures