Federal Campgrounds Abound in Washington State
Most Sites Located in National Forests, Near Dams East of Mountains
Sep 28, 2009
The campgrounds, which stretch across the state, are operated by the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service. They run the gamut of facilities from primitive tent camping to full service RV hook-ups.
The federal agencies accept online reservations for 138 of the campgrounds in Washington State. These are for campgrounds that charge a usage fee. Information about non-fee campgrounds can be found on the individual attraction’s website.
Online Reservation System
The website lists campground names, tells which agency operates it, and such information as dogs allowed and hook-ups. Photos are available for some of the sites. Clicking on the campground’s name links to that specific campground where more detailed information is available. This information includes services and amenities available at the site as well as farther away. Driving directions are given. The website also lists what the usage fees are and if any fees are charged for making the reservation online.
Forest Service Campgrounds
The U.S. Forest Service operates the majority of federal campgrounds in Washington. These are located in national forests across the state, including Okanogan-Wenatchee, Colville, Gifford Pinchot, Umatilla, Olympic, and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie. Campers should check the individual national forest’s website for non-reservation campgrounds. For example, Sand Creek and Bear Creek campgrounds on the Wenatchee National Forest’s Naches Ranger District do not require reservations and are not listed on the round-up site list.
Corps of Engineers Campgrounds
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates campgrounds, mainly in Eastern Washington, that are near dams or along the Columbia and Snake rivers. On the Columbia River, their campgrounds are located near the John Day and McNary locks and dams. On the Snake River, their campgrounds are at Ice Harbor Lock and Dam, Windust, Little Goose and Lower Granite dams.
National Park Service
The National Park Service operates campgrounds at Olympic, Mount Rainier and North Cascade national parks as well as the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area north of Grand Coulee Dam in Central Washington. Interpretive programs, such as campfire programs and guided hikes, are a bonus to staying at national parks campgrounds.
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management, known familiarly as the BLM, operates a few campgrounds in Washington. However, these campgrounds are not listed on the government’s online reservation list. The Spokane District has campgrounds at Big Pines, Chopaka Lake, Coffeepot Lake, Douglas Creek, Duffy Creek, Fishtrap, Lakeview Ranch, Lmuma Creek, Palmer Mountain, Roza, Umtanum, Twin Lakes and Yakima River Canyon. Some campgrounds charge fees for day and overnight use during the summer months.
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