RVers in Washington state will have fewer places to camp this summer. Federal cutbacks are continuing to chew into recreational use and, this time, it’s the Army Corp of Engineers in the Walla Walla District that are announcing the hits. The Army Corps closures will hit multiple sites.
Army Corps closures due to “limited resources”
The Corps is chalking it up to “limited resources,” but regardless of the reason, RVers and others will feel the bite. The agency says it’s “making targeted adjustments to recreation operations, resulting in the closure of multiple recreation areas.”
This season, select areas will be closed to allow staff to focus on maintaining safe, high-quality service at priority locations. These adjustments are guided by the need to concentrate available resources, including personnel, where they are most impactful. Closures will remain in place until further notice.
Look for less maintenance, cleaning and trash collection
Additionally, all Walla Walla District project areas (Mill Creek, McNary, Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, Lower Granite, Lucky Peak and Dworshak) will experience reductions in services including maintenance, landscaping, trash collection and facility cleaning.
“Visitor well-being is our top priority,” said Lt. Col. Katie Werback, Commander of the Walla Walla District. “While these decisions were not made lightly, ensuring we continue to fulfill critical requirements for our land and wildlife management programs is necessary.”
Army Corps closures in detail
The following areas will be closed:
- Ice Harbor Dam and Lock
- Ice Harbor Visitor Center – School and VIP tour booking still available
- Fishhook Park Class A Campground
- Levey Park
- Little Goose Dam and Lock
- Lambi Creek Recreation Area
- Willow Creek Recreation Area
- Illia Dunes Recreation Area & Habitat Management Units
- Lower Granite Dam and Lock
- Visitor Center – Open Friday and Saturday – School and VIP tour booking still available
- Blyton Landing
- Confluence Park parking and restrooms
- Lower Monumental
- Riparia Recreation Area
Visitors are encouraged to “know before you go,” as many locations lack cell phone coverage. Before leaving home:
- Check site status for closures, limited services, and safety advisories.
- Pack water, food, weather-appropriate gear, first aid, and navigation tools.
- If recreating on or near water, bring a life jacket and make a float plan.
Army Corps closures? For the latest information on recreation site availability and service updates, visit the USACE website or follow the Walla Walla District on Facebook and Instagram.
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- Army Corps cancels public meeting due to employee $1 credit card limit
- National parks new $1 limit on employee credit card use is laughable
- Interior Secretary orders national parks to stay open amid staffing cuts
RVT1206b
Thank you for the notice. We may be seeking campsites in the state of Washington this September. Have a great day and safe travels!
Thanks a bunch Red Hats!
You’re welcome. If we don’t save the country, who will?
How about using this magazine to advocate for the rehiring of rangers so these campgrounds can open? Unlike most government agencies, the National parks, Army Corps and Forest Service bring in revenue to the government through camping fees.These camping fees would pay the salaries of the rangers who were let go. The other thing is these campgrounds bring in revenue to the local economy. I have already written to my republican senator and congressman and the President urging them to keep these campgrounds open for these reasons I stated.
This country CANNOT keep spending money we dont have…. Nobody is going to like any cuts… of any kind… but we have to make some tough choices (many of which we have not even begun to deal with). If you can think of easier and better ways to get rid of Trillions of dollars of deficits then go for it… I dont like it and I may not agree with it… but have you heard anyone in government (I dont care what party) advocate for cuts in government spending over the past 30 years???
Temporary inconvenience at the most.
Over the past 4 years, their camping fees collected have been diverted to USAID. Now they’re broke
You have a source for that, Bob Walter? Not the broke part, the funds camping fees allocated to USAID?
This is total mismanagement. These parks provide enough revenue to be self supporting. In fact the pricing is so low that camping fees could even be raised $5/night, providing an additional ~ $7,000+/mo if needed. However at an average fee of $25/nt, with an average of 40 sites per park (some have many more), that’s about $30K/mo, which should easily sustain the park’s operation with volunteer hosts, which most have. In Arkansas some COE parks don’t even have check-in office, just pull in and park in your assigned space. Everything is done online. The volunteer host makes sure people have paid and camped in the right spot.