State public lands managers to reopen campgrounds in 22 counties

OLYMPIA–Three state agencies announced last week that camping will reopen as of Monday, June 1, 2020, and Garfield County—and neighboring Columbia County—are among the 22 counties included in the plan. Counties reopening for camping are all actively in Phase 2 of Gov. Inslee’s ‘Safe Start’ plan and have also been approved for camping by county officials.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks), Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced Friday, May 29, that camping in 22 counties will begin to reopen June 1.

Before launching your next outdoor excursion, check state agency websites for the status of individual campgrounds and dispersed camping.

The counties include Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Cowlitz, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Kitsap, Kittitas, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla and Whitman.

The reopening applies to campgrounds and various marine facilities. A list of open campgrounds and marinas can be found on the State Parks website.

Cabins, yurts and other overnight accommodations remain closed until further notice. Group campsites will remain closed as well.

Visitors with reservations for overnight accommodations that are not opened will receive a full refund for their trips scheduled during the closure. Parks will contact affected campers. No action is required by reservation holders.

Campers are advised to make reservations for camping at a state park. This ensures they will have a camping spot when they reach their destination and reduces interactions with staff.

“This is an important milestone for the public and for parks,” said Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Director Don Hoch. “This year, it’s especially important Washingtonians have access to outdoor recreation. We know that access to the outdoors is good for everyone’s health and wellbeing. Camping is a big part of that outdoor experience.”

WDFW campgrounds will reopen, as well as dispersed camping at wildlife areas for counties that have approved camping. A list of open campgrounds is available on WDFW’s website.

Campers and recreational vehicles should be self-contained, as WDFW lands do not offer draining or dumping facilities. Campers are advised to bring their own supplies, including water, soap, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper. As always, pack out what you pack in.

“Camping is a favorite summer activity in Washington and we’re so pleased to be in a place to reopen these opportunities for families to make their summer memories,” said Kelly Susewind, WDFW Director. “We’re glad to invite people back to the wild for responsible overnight stays.”

Most DNR-managed campsites will reopen on a rolling basis. Whether or not a campsite is open depends on the location of the site and any maintenance needed. Most campsites on DNR land are on a first-come, first-serve basis and do not have running water. Visitors should make sure campsites are open before heading out and have multiple backup options if a desired campsite is full. Campers should also be prepared to take care of all their personal hygiene needs. Always practice Leave No Trace principles as garbage services aren’t available. If you pack it in, pack it out.

“As summer arrives, a cherished family tradition is camping and enjoying the great outdoors together. Opening camping on our public lands is a step toward normalcy for all of us,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “While we get back outside, it is imperative to do all we can to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safe by recreating responsibly. We must always be vigilant in our fight against COVID-19, practicing good physical distancing and proper hygiene, so we can continue to enjoy camping with our families throughout the summer.”

Residents are also reminded to help to prevent wildfires by never leaving a campfire unattended. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave. Always check for burn bans before lighting a campfire. And, only use DNR-approved fire rings (circular metal rings with grates) found in many DNR campgrounds. No dispersed camping fires are allowed.

Please check the dnr.wa.gov/open page for more details on what day-use areas and campsites are open.

Guidelines for responsible camping To minimize staff and visitor interactions, lands managers recommend the following guidelines when camping this summer:

• Know before you go – Check to see if your destination is open for camping.

• Stay local – Choose destinations close to home. This will reduce the need to stop along the way.

• Follow the rules – Rule enforcement puts visitors and staff at risk. Please follow all rules to reduce the need for interaction with rangers and other park staff. Never leave a campfire unattended.

• Come prepared – Bring all the supplies you need – including firewood – to reduce the need to stop along the way. Campsites may not have running water available so always plan to be self-sufficient and have all the items you need with you to take care of your personal hygiene needs.

• Keep groups small – limit the number of people in your party to five, unless you’re all within the same household.

All visitors, including day use, should also follow the guidelines to #RecreateResponsibly when visiting any public lands this summer. You can find more information about those guidelines at http://www.recreateresponsibly.org.