Bighorn Recreation Site

It has 15 sites, and it is open year-round. Bighorn Recreation Site is a BLM campground near Ellensburg, Washington.

BLM · Ellensburg, Washington

Managed by
BLM
Hookups
None
Cell service
Spotty

Yakima River Canyon: Basalt cliffs up to 2,000 feet above the Yakima River, with blue-ribbon trout fishing and the densest nesting concentration of hawks, eagles and falcons in the state. (blm.gov)

Getting a site

Managed by
BLM
Fee
Fee unknown, see agency

Source: blm.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Sites and hookups

Total sites
15
Hookups
None
  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✓ Fire rings
  • ✕ Potable water

On site: Toilets and fire rings. No potable water.

Source: blm.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Rules

Stay limit
7 days

Source: blm.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Access and cell service

Cell service, reported
Spotty
Elevation
1,415 ft

Cell coverage by carrier (FCC map)

AT&T
4G LTE and 5G (7/1 Mbps)
T-Mobile
4G LTE; 5G mapped about 0.2 mi away
Verizon
4G LTE and 5G (7/1 Mbps)
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection, data as of December 31, 2025

Outdoor coverage each carrier reports to the FCC at this campground's map point, and the nearest mapped coverage within about half a mile. The FCC map only includes 4G LTE at 5/1 Mbps or better and 5G; a weaker signal, a text, or an emergency call may still get through, but don't count on it. These are carrier predictions, not measurements, and can be wrong either way: real service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle is often weaker. 5G speeds are the FCC's 7/1 and 35/3 Mbps tiers. This product uses the FCC Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the FCC.

46.8956, -120.5022 in Kittitas. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Season and winter services

Bighorn Recreation Site is open year-round .

Source: epqs.nationalmap.gov, accessed 2026-09-29

Common questions

How many campsites does Bighorn Recreation Site have?
Bighorn Recreation Site has 15 campsites.
Does Bighorn Recreation Site have RV hookups?
No. Bighorn Recreation Site has no hookups.
Is there drinking water at Bighorn Recreation Site?
No. Bighorn Recreation Site has no potable water, so bring all the water you need.
When is Bighorn Recreation Site open?
Bighorn Recreation Site is open year-round.
How long can you stay at Bighorn Recreation Site?
The stay limit at Bighorn Recreation Site is 7 days.
Is there cell service at Bighorn Recreation Site?
Yes, outdoors: the FCC's National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025) shows 4G LTE from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon and 5G from AT&T and Verizon at Bighorn Recreation Site. Visitor reports on record describe it as spotty. The map is carrier-reported and modeled for outdoors, so expect weaker service in canyons, under trees, and inside a tent or vehicle.
Who manages Bighorn Recreation Site?
Bighorn Recreation Site is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Around Bighorn Recreation Site

More campgrounds: camping near Ellensburg and campgrounds in Kittitas.

Sources

Campground
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