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Yakima Sportsman State Park
Yakima Sportsman State Park is, literally, an oasis in the desert.
Located near the urban amenities of Yakima in arid eastern Washington, this park attracts local picnickers, out-of-town visitors and road-trippers passing through.
Birds flock to Yakima Sportsman, and so do birders, their binoculars and field guides in hand. The Yakima River flood plain sustains a natural wetland of marshes, grasses and ponds, welcoming habitat for 140 bird species. Wood ducks are the stars of the show, but dramatic red-winged blackbirds, herons and hawks make their home near the park's juvenile fishing pond, which is stocked with rainbow trout and open to young anglers.
The gentle trails come alive in season. The trees turn red, orange and yellow in fall, and spring brings a riot of lilies, chokecherry, dogwood and blossoming catalpa trees. Green lawns and tree shade make this a lovely camping or picnic spot in summer.
Park features
Yakima Sportsman State Park is a 266-acre camping park originally created by the Yakima Sportsman's Association to promote game management and the preservation of natural resources. The park is an irrigated green zone in an otherwise desert area and has a variety of deciduous trees in the camping and picnic areas.
More than 130 species of bird make wildlife watching a delight. The campground is a stay-over place for events at the Yakima Sun-Dome and fairgrounds.
Discover Pass: A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.
ada amenities/facilities
- Campground
- Hiking trail
- Picnic area
- Restroom
Use our interactive ADA recreation map to search for other state parks with ADA amenities and facilities.
Picnic & Day-Use Facilities
The park offers one kitchen shelter, plus three roofed shelters and many unsheltered picnic tables. The kitchen shelter is reservable by calling (888) 226-7688.
Activities
Trails
- 2 miles of hiking trails
Water Activities & Features
- Fishing (freshwater)
- Bird watching
- Horseshoes
- Playground
- Volleyball
Interpretive opportunities
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.
Additional information
- Hiking is allowed on 2 miles of unpaved roadway on the river dike.
- Pond may be stocked annually, depending on water levels and availability. Juvenile fishing is allowed year-round. Adult fishing is permitted in the river in season.
- A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington State Parks. For regulations, fishing season information, or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- Printable park brochure (PDF).
Campsite information
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.
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time is 1 p.m.
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.
Reservations & fees
Reservations can be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. For fee information, check out our camping rates page.
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.
In the early 1940s, the Yakima Valley Sportsmen's Association began an effort to preserve and develop a public park for local citizens. Ultimately, land was acquired by Yakima County and then deeded to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in 1945. The park was named Yakima Sportsman's State Park in 1950 and later shortened to its current name.
In the late 1940s, the Army Corps of Engineers built a system of dikes for flood control purposes within the park that are now also used as trails.