Whether you like to fish, float or paddle, a short drive from Yakima leads to refreshing summertime adventures in every direction. Float Yakima Valley rivers, enjoy stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) for beginners and experts alike or fish pristine lakes and discover Washington\u2019s only blue ribbon trout stream. Located on the less rainy side of the Cascade Mountains, enjoy getting out on the water from now until well into fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
![\"Yakima](\"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/river-canyon-3-700x250.jpg\")
Yakima River Canyon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Yakima River Canyon<\/a> is a popular destination for all types of fun on the water, from paddling and floating to fishing, whether you wade or drift. Along the way, you\u2019ll likely be treated to sights of abundant wildlife. In addition to bighorn sheep and elk, more than 183 species of birds call the canyon home. In fact, 21 species of raptors can be found in the canyon, including falcons, bald eagles and even nesting golden eagles. You might even spot a bobcat and river otters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canyon River Ranch<\/a> is a premier riverside resort with beautifully appointed condo-style lodging, a pool and a half mile of private riverfront space to enjoy, along with the delicious offerings from the Canyon River Grill<\/a>, headed by acclaimed chef, Kevin Davis. Altogether, they create the ideal Northwest river escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The\nYakima River is Washington\u2019s only blue ribbon trout stream, making it a haven\nfor Pacific Northwest fly fishing. In fact, it was recently named one of the\ntop three fly fishing rivers in the U.S. in the USA Today<\/em> 2024 10Best\nReaders\u2019 Choice Awards<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Red\u2019s Fly Shop<\/a>, locat <\/p>\n\n\n\n Red\u2019s Fly Shop<\/a> at Canyon River Ranch is your stop for all the fly fishing gear you need. They offer guided, float-style fishing adventures<\/a>, as well as education. Both full and half-day trips include all the necessary gear if you need it and shuttle service. Full-day trips include lunch. Educational excursions with Red\u2019s expert guides include three-hour fish-alongs<\/a>, hands-on skills-based experiences and University of Fly Fishing courses from \u201c101\u201d beginner classes to advanced \u201c301\u201d programming. For the younger anglers, check out the three-day youth fly fishing camp<\/a>, July 22 to 24.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the newest offerings are fly fishing experiences designed just for women<\/a> on the Yakima, Naches and Tieton rivers. Shannon Mahre, of Girls with Grit<\/a>, has partnered with Red\u2019s, along with other female instructors, to offer programs designed to build confidence, create community and share the joy of fly fishing in a supportive, welcoming environment. Check out a special two-day fly fishing retreat for women<\/a>, July 20 and 21 and guided women\u2019s trips<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The\nbest time to catch fish on the Yakima is May through end of August, so now\u2019s\nthe time to book your fishing adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those who prefer floating to fishing, the Yakima\nRiver provides a perfect, leisurely trip downstream whether on raft, tube or\npaddle board, with the dramatic canyon cliffs rising on both sides of the\nriver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most folks tend to put in at <\/strong>Umtanum Recreation Area<\/strong><\/a> for a float. <\/strong>Plan to get out at Roza Recreation Area boat launch and have a vehicle waiting there. The float takes about 3 1\/2 hours, just perfect for a leisurely summer afternoon. If you\u2019re not using your own gear, Rill Adventures<\/a> is your resource for all you need to enjoy a Yakima River float or paddle. Check out a variety of three- to four-hour trips on their website and reserve your raft, tube, kayak or paddle board. Look for the Lower Yakima River options on their website. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The popular Yakima River Canyon Cruise<\/a> from Canyon River Ranch is back for the fifth year. This luxury eco cruise has become a favorite Yakima Valley tradition. Comfortable rafts, complete with shade canopies, bench seats with backs and a tabletop for your drinks and snacks, take you on a scenic float to take in the spectacular scenery and learn about the unique geography and wildlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d prefer to paddle rather than float, Girls with Grit river SUP clinics<\/a> pack an immersive experience into a full day on the water. With expert guidance for all levels from beginner to expert, coaching team Andy and Shannon Mahre, help you stand up with confidence through stability skills, efficient paddling, flip rescue, water analysis, turning skills, stroke analysis, footwork, rough water skills and moving water vs. still water techniques. The day begins on a private lake and moves on to paddle through the Yakima River Canyon. Take home a swag bag and enjoy lunch and happy hour drinks and bites. Equipment rental is available, as are private experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking for a safe swimming spot on\nthe river, visit The Roza Recreation Area in the Yakima River Canyon. Complete with picnic tables and\nrestrooms nearby, it\u2019s a popular destination for cooling off on hot summer\nafternoons<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rimrock\nLake, with its expansive, clear blue waters surrounded by alpine forests and\nmountain peaks, is the perfect place to cool off on summer days. Just 40\nminutes from downtown Yakima, it\u2019s an ideal escape with quick drive along the White\nPass Scenic Byway (Highway 12). At an elevation of 2,926 feet, you can feel the\ntemperature drop as you ascend. This unique lake is just made for explorations\nby kayak, canoe or paddle board. Motorized craft are permitted on Rimrock Lake\nas well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silver Beach Resort<\/strong> features a day use area with\nsandy beach access, camping, cabins, motel rooms, a designated swimming area, a\nboat launch, a convenience store and a small restaurant. The beach area is\nshallow quite far out during portions of the summer, making it a great place\nfor SUP beginners. You\u2019ll even find a small island a short distance offshore to\npaddle out to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Peninsula Campground<\/strong>\nis a popular place for dispersed camping. Nestled into\na lovely cove, it accommodates RVs or tents and group camping on the eastern\nshore of Rimrock Lake near a boat launch. Enjoy several walking trails nearby.\nKayakers, canoers and paddle boarders can head to a small island across the\ncove. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Horseshoe Cove <\/strong>is a popular day use area on Highway\n12 with a boat launch for easy access putting in your kayak or canoe. It also\noffers picnic sites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Just to the west of Rimrock Lake, you\u2019ll find Clear Lake, a beautiful, much smaller lake with a small island off Highway 12. Enjoy a small dock and picnic area with restrooms on the south side of the lake. With only non-motorized vessels there, it\u2019s a lovely, peaceful place to explore by kayak, canoe or paddle board. On the other side of the lake, explore the nature trail and several shady places along the shore to enjoy the day. If you\u2019re just learning SUP, enjoy a great shallow area in small cove next to the boat launch. There are two campgrounds nearby and the fishing season is open year-round and it\u2019s stocked regularly with rainbow trout. Eastern brook, cutthroat and bull trout can also be found. The lake is closed for bull trout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another stunning mountain lake, Bumping Lake<\/a> is located off Highway 410 along the Chinook Pass Scenic Byway. This lake was created naturally by glaciers and is fed by snowmelt. Surrounded by rugged mountain terrain, wetlands and old-growth conifer forests, you\u2019ll find campgrounds, day use parking and a boat launch. This is a great lake for swimming, kayaking, canoeing and SUP with picnic tables and fire pits along the south lake shore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The\ncrystal clear Bumping Lake is at an elevation of more than 3,400 feet, with a\nyear-round open fishing season. Good fishing for six- to nine-inch Kokanee\nstarts in mid-May and there is a limit of 16 fish. Rainbow and Cutthroat are\nalso caught. You can enjoy fishing on the Bumping River below the lake\nfollowing selective gear rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another of the Valley\u2019s distinct recreational rivers, The Naches River<\/a> is located adjacent to Highway 410, along the Chinook Scenic Byway. The Bumping River and the Little Naches River feed into the larger Naches River. Put in at Sawmill Flats Campground to float this class 2 or 3 river. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Well-known by most white water lovers, the Tieton River<\/a> runs east from Rimrock Lake along Highway 12. The month of September is the best time for experienced kayakers, white water rafters and paddle boarders looking for extreme whitewater rafting and paddle boarding! The annual Tieton River flip-flop is a one-time-a-year experience when you can enjoy the thrill of the fastest whitewater in Washington State! For one short month every September, the Tieton River becomes a wild ride on Class 3 rapids, dropping 55 feet of elevation each mile! This special time of year happens when the water flowing out of the Rimrock Reservoir is increased, dramatically affecting the flow of the Tieton River, turning it into one of the best whitewater rafting areas in all of Washington! Since the water has been warmed in Rimrock Lake all summer, this is also some of the warmest whitewater rafting in the state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tieton and Naches Rivers are also popular for fly fishing. Check out the fishing outings here from Girls with Grit<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n *Excerpts on fishing from WDFW, visit WDFW webpage<\/a> for complete rules. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Top Spots for Summertime Fun on the Water With the Yakima Valley\u2019s reliably sunny skies come summertime highs and long, leisurely days just made for playing outside. Warmer days mean it\u2019s time to explore the winding waterways and pristine mountain lakes all around the valley. Whether you like to fish, float or paddle, a short… View Article<\/a>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14649,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,19,8,22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family-fun","category-featured","category-outdoor-recreation","category-summer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=260"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27229,"href":"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/260\/revisions\/27229"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14649"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/fly-fishing-700x250.jpg\")
Yakima River Canyon Fly Fishing – Photos by Shannon Mahre <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nYakima River Fly Fishing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Float, Paddle and Cruise the Yakima River<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/river-cruise-700x250.jpg\")
\n\n\n\n![\"Rimrock](\"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/rimrock-700x250.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nRimrock Lake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Where\nto go on Rimrock Lake?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nClear Lake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBumping Lake<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nNaches River<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Tieton](\"https:\/\/www.visityakima.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/tieton-river-700x250.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTieton River<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n