YAKIMA SPORTSMAN STATE PARK
Yakima Sportsman State Park is a 247-acre camping park created in 1940 by the Yakima Sportsman's Association to promote game management and the preservation of natural resources. The park is on the floodplain of the Yakima River and is an irrigated "green zone" in an otherwise desert area. The park has a variety of deciduous trees that shade camping and picnic areas. One hundred and forty bird species have been identified in the park. Ponds lure fishers to the river. The park is a popular stay-over spot for travelers and visitors to events in the Yakima area.
Ponds, lakes and rivers attract fishermen, both young and adult, to this location. More than 140 species of bird make wildlife watching a delight. The campground is a stay-over place for events at the Yakima Sun-Dome and fairgrounds.
Old clay-pigeon traps may still be found in the park. They are remnants from the Yakima Sportsman Club, a hunting, fishing and shooting club that created the park in 1940. The club donated the park to Washington State Parks in 1956.
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the
Discover Pass web page.
The park has 37 standard campsites, 37 full-hookup sites, one dump station, two restrooms both ADA and four showers all ADA. Hookup sites 1 - 16 are 60 feet long, and sites 17 - 36 are back-in sites. Site HC is an ADA-hookup site, and site 52 is an ADA-standard site. Sites 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47 and 49 are near the creek.
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. Fees vary with size of the group.
Anglers can enjoy river fishing for species like rainbow trout, bass, and catfish. A freshwater license is required.
Yakima Sportsman State Park is located near Selah, Wapato and Yakima
The park offers one kitchen shelter with electricity, plus three roofed shelters and many unsheltered picnic tables. The kitchen shelter is reservable
1. Yakima River Trail: This trail is a 3-mile loop that follows the banks of the Yakima River, offering beautiful views and opportunities for bird watching.
2. Cottonwood Grove Loop: A short but scenic half mile walk through dense cottonwoods with interpretive signs about local flora and fauna along its path.
3. Wildlife Viewing Area Pathway: An easy quarter-mile stroll leading to an observation deck where visitors can spot various wildlife species in their natural habitat.
4. Sportsman's Park Nature Trail: Approximately one mile long, this trail winds through diverse habitats including wetlands, forests, meadows providing excellent chances to observe different types of plants and animals native to Washington State.
5. Riverside Walkway: It's a paved pathway suitable for all ages which offers stunning river vistas as well as picnic spots alongside it.
6. Upland Forest Hike: About two miles round trip hike takes you up into dryland forest areas giving panoramic view over park area below.
7. Wetland Wanderer Track: Half Mile track around marshy land, great place for spotting waterfowl & amphibians.
8. Birdwatchers Delight: Short trails crisscrossing across woodland ideal location for avid bird watchers due abundance variety birds found here throughout year.
9. Wildflower Way: During spring season this becomes most popular hiking route because blooming wildflowers covering entire landscape making it visually spectacular sight.
10. Picnic Point Lookout: Easy access point from main entrance leads towards high vantage point overlooking whole park perfect family outing destination.
11. River Runners Route: Longest within park stretching five miles following course river best suited experienced hikers looking challenging trek amidst nature.
Rangers will lead nature walks when requested. There is a Juan A. Alvarez Outdoor Living Classroom in the park that has a short, paved ADA-accessible trail and pier which enters a wetland area. This trail affords visitors a look at a living, working wetland.
Offers diverse habitats like woodlands, ponds, and shrub-steppe attracting various bird species. Notable for waterfowl and songbirds. Species include American Goldfinches, Black-capped Chickadees, and Wood Ducks. Spring migrations bring colorful warblers; fall sees large flocks of ducks geese. Birdwatchers can enjoy year-round avian diversity with seasonal variations in species presence.
Located three miles southeast of downtown Yakima, Wash. in Yakima County.
From I-82:Take exit #34. Travel east approximately one mile to Keys Rd. (first road after crossing). Turn left, and go approximately one mile to park entrance. Turn left into park.