Camping opens on Lake Roosevelt

GRAND COULEE — The National Park Service recently announced it will increase camping access to campsites on the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area on July 1. The change is being made possible due to King County moving into Phase 2 of the Covid-10 restrictions, according to NPS.

“Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area receives approximately 65 percent of its annual visitation between June and September,” NPS said in a recent press release. “In addition to the five counties surrounding Lake Roosevelt (Lincoln, Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan, and Grant), approximately 61 percent of our visitors come from Spokane, King, and Snohomish counties (410,000 people). While some counties surrounding Lake Roosevelt have entered Phase 3, King County moved into Phase 2 on Friday, June 19. With the change in King County’s status, Lake Roosevelt is now able to move into Phase 2 of Washington State’s Safe Start Reopening Plan. During Phase 2 gathering and outdoor recreation sizes are limited to no more than five people outside each household.”

Beginning July 1, 2020, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area will reopen access to:

• All National Park Service operated boat-in campgrounds and associated restrooms. Restrooms will not be cleaned on a daily basis and floating restrooms will remain closed. Visitors must bring their own hand sanitizer.

• By reservation only: Spring Canyon, Fort Spokane, and Kettle Falls campgrounds. The number of campsites available through the reservation system at these campgrounds has been expanded. Group campsites will remain closed until further notice in compliance with Washington State Phase 2 gathering restrictions.

• Reservations through https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/2802 will reopen on June 23 for these three campgrounds. All campers must have a valid reservation to camp. There will be no first come, first served allowed at this time.

• As additional campgrounds are added to the reservation system, they will be opened for camping.

The following spaces continue to be available:

• Commercial Guide services with two or fewer people from the same household.

• Marina slip rentals are open when the water rises high enough to support the operations.

• Marina houseboat and watercraft rentals in compliance with Washington State Phase 2 guidelines.

• Eight day-use areas (Spring Canyon, Keller Ferry, Fort Spokane, Porcupine Bay, Hunters, Bradbury Beach, Kettle Falls, and Evans). Vault toilets will be available in these day-use areas.

• Nine boat launch docks (Spring Canyon, Keller Ferry, Seven Bays, Fort Spokane, Porcupine Bay, Hunters, Bradbury Beach, Kettle Falls, and Evans)

• Boat launches throughout the lake - boat launch docks will not be adjusted daily.

• Shoreline outside of the two Reservation’s boundaries. Campers must be fully self contained. There are no floating restrooms available. Campers who pack it in, must pack it out. This includes human waste and waste disposal bags, disposable gloves, and masks.

The following facilities and services remain closed at this time:

• For areas outside of the eight day-use areas and three campgrounds listed above, campers must bring their own outdoor toilet option (marine sanitation device for a boat or something like a Luggable Loo, Wag Bags, Biffy Bags, etc. for day-use areas) soap, water, hand sanitizer and toilet paper. Visitors must take all waste home.

• Water services outside of the eight day-use areas and three campgrounds listed above.

• Fish cleaning stations

• Trash collection. Visitors who pack it in, must pack it out. This includes human waste and waste disposal bags, disposable gloves, and masks.

• The Visitor Center

• All public and education programs

• Comfort Stations (flush toilet facilities)