Last month we warned readers that Evergreen State public landlords were considering curtailing stay-lengths in state parks. The agency has spoken. Washington State Parks 10-day maximum stay has become a reality.
Washington State Parks 10-day maximum stay far different than present rule
Under Washington’s current policy, guests can stay in a given state park between 10 and 14 consecutive nights. Park managers make the decision on the ground as to the actual number. They apply the limits during the high season from April 1 to September 30. The rest of the year, October 1 through March 31, campers can stay up to 20 nights, then vacate the park for three consecutive nights, and stay up to 40 nights total in 60 days.
All that’s changing. Effective August 18, campers may stay no more than 10 consecutive nights in any one park in 30 days. Those numbers max out to a total of 90 days in a calendar year when ALL state parks are considered.
No need to worry about, “Is this the high season or not?” The new rule applies year-round. If you already have reservations that would be outside these guidelines, the state says they’ll honor those reservations. But, the big stick of enforcement will arrive on August 18.
“More clear and consistent”
Why August 18? It’s exactly one month after the decision was handed down. That happened when the State Parks and Recreation Commission met on July 18. Lower-echelon operations division manager for the department, Chris Holm, says the ruling gives campers “more clear and consistent” guidelines since they apply 365 days a year.
Holm also argues the new rules give “equitable access” to campsites. If an individual or group of people always hold the same campsite, then nobody else can. Nor can park maintenance workers come in and handle ongoing needs.
It’s hard to imagine somebody, or somebodies, squatting in a state park campsite year-round. And the statistics hold up. Park staffers told the commission that 2023 saw only 10 full-fee paying campers stay longer than 90 nights. Of the 10,000 Discover Pass holders, fewer than 100 of them hung in more than 90 nights.
Want people “to feel welcome and have a great time”
Regardless of the numbers, Washington State Parks 10-day maximum stay is the rule. “We want to emphasize more of the recreational aspects of camping … versus residency-type camping,” Holm told the Washington State Standard. “And enhancing the visitor experience is our overall goal. We want to create an atmosphere in state parks where people feel welcome and have a great time.”
You’re welcome. Just get out after 10 days.
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IMHO- The more different visitors that experience our parks the more “supporters” we create for our parks. It’s like relatives- the longer they stay the greater our “relief” when they go.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 I think that DW and I can manage to follow the new rules. 🙂 Thanks again, have a great weekend, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
I actually like the 10-day rule. It gives others the opportunity to visit popular parks that they otherwise may not be able to if all the sites are occupied by permanent “campers”.
Sounds like government bureaucrats finding a “solution” to a problem that doesn’t exist…Again.