The Yakima River Canyon is improbably beautiful, the wide flowing river and the lush lowlands a distinct contrast to the sun-blasted soaring canyons above. But to camp here in the heat of August you have to be a hearty soul (and should probably bring your own shade). The campsites here are arrayed around a gravel parking lot, and you’ll be in everyone else’s business. They’re too close, there’s very little shade, and if you’re not going to get into the water, there’s not a lot to do. Perhaps in the spring or fall, if you had this place to yourself, it could be magic. But in the summer heat … maybe not so much.