With so much water around, it's easy to forget Yakima is technically a desert. From dodging summer heat on the Yakima river or doing yoga on a paddle board to racing down the Tieton in a raft, there's more than a few ways to get wet on the dry side of the cascades. Check out three of our favorite water-sport activities below.
Every September, the usually mild Tieton river becomes a class III rapid when the Rimrock Lake dam is released (for spawning salmon and to make room for the next year’s run-ff). Osprey Rafting camps out here through the entire month, and can help you navigate the 12 miles of fast, technical, whitewater. You can even camp out the night before!
💡 IHY WISDOM: Additional Tieton river information and resources from Washington Recreational River Runners can be found here.
🗺️ Google Map of general location — 12 miles west of Hwy 410 junction
No outdoor guide to the Valley can be complete without mentioning the favorite local pastime of floating the Yakima River. When the summer heat hits, everyone grabs their favorite inflatable and heads to the river. The classic 3-4 hour float starts at Umtanum and ends at Rosa. You can DIY, or hire someone like Red’s Fly Shop, Rill Adventures, or Yakima River Tubing to get you all geared up. So grab your life jacket (be safe, friends), float, cooler, and buddies, and summer is served.
💡 IHY WISDOM: If you need more inspiration, Seattle Magazine recently featured the float in their travel and outdoors section!
🗺️ A couple of launch spots: Umtanum Recreation Site (3-4hrs) or Big Horn Campground (4-5hrs)(fee required to park)
(📷: CWU Int'l/Instagram)
Perched high in the Cascades, Rimrock Lake and Clear Lake offer paddlers and motorized users a retreat amongst the trees. The crystal blue lakes hold the headwaters of the Tieton River and are the main irrigation sources for crops in the valley. Rimrock Lake is the larger of the two, but the water-level is not very consistent, making the beaches and sand bars a bit more unpredictable. Clear Lake is the smaller and tends to have a more consistent water level year round. This makes it a better option for those looking to swim, paddle, and hang out on a beach.
💡 IHY WISDOM: If you have more than a day, consider camping at one of the beautiful lake-side campgrounds, or venture deep down the surrounding forest service roads and find a private spot all to yourself. Check out Sara Washburn and MahreMade for guided tours, clinics, yoga, and more.
🗺️ Rimrock Lake & Clear Lake
