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Located in the L.T. Murray Wildlife
Area, Robinson Canyon as the name implies
originates from a canyon southwest of Thorp,
WA in the rain shadow of the Cascade
Mountains,
Managed by the Washington Department
of Fish and Wildlife Robinson Canyon is a
popular horse camp area and entry point for
horseback access into the area’s 106,400
acres.
Trails in the area are a lattice work
of abandoned road bed, green dot roads, and
game trails, and can be rocky. Numerous elk
trails crisscross the hillsides and offer
access deeper into the wildlife area.
Area vegetation - Slopes with northern
exposures have stands of Ponderosa pine,
Douglas fir, and Grand fir. The drier
southern facing slopes host communities of
grass and shrubs.
Wildlife – Being an elk feeding
station this area is home to a large number
of these magnificent animals. Beavers can
also be
found in the rushing waters of Robinson
Creek and when the weather is warm
rattlesnakes can be found near the water and
rocky area as well. Birders have reported
spotted owls, golden eagles and numerous
species of woodpeckers.
Sites to see - Hunting camps are
scattered across the area with some being
quite elaborate and others more
rudimentary. Several abandoned line cabins
can be seen in Robinson Canyon proper and
the ruined foundations of an older dwelling
can be found on the ridge above the camp
area. Slopes exposed to the south offer a
great variety of geologic features and rock
formations.
Vegetation ranges from the lower
elevation shrubs and bunch grasses into,
then to higher elevations with denser stands
of timber, mostly, and some western larch.
Grasslands interspersed with rock outcrops
and shrub-steppe communities dominate
hillsides in transitional zones.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Vehicle Permit is required.
Facilities Information:
Off-road parking, turn-around, and horse
camp area available
inside the elk fence gate. No restrooms. No
potable water. Stock water from Robinson
Creek.
Other Information:
Access gates are locked each winter and the
area is closed to all public access for the
protection of wintering elk. The closure
begins upon start of supplemental
feeding, typically in early to mid-December,
and reopens May 1.
Getting Here:
From Seattle I-90 Thorp Exit 101 – Right on
South Thorp Hwy – Right on Killmore Road –
Right onto Robinson Canyon road. Proceed
past end of pavement onto rough gravel road.
Go through Elk fence gate. CLOSE GATE BEHIND
YOU. Parking and camping areas are located
in the first meadow.
  
Information on horse
trails, horse camps and camping and hiking paths for horseback riders, hikers,
and mountain bikers
in the Robinson
Canyon, LT Murray
Wildlife Area near
Thorp, Cle Elum, and
Ellensburg
Washington
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