Campground closures planned

Washington’s Department of Natural Resources will close four campgrounds or overnight camping areas in 2026 after two straight years of cuts to its recreation budget. (dnr.wa.gov) The agency said on April 22 that Anderson Lake near Elbe, Rock Lakes near Conconully and Upper Clearwater near Forks will fully close this year, while Island Camp near Glenwood will stop overnight camping but keep its cabin and day-use area open. (dnr.wa.gov) Seven other sites will shorten their seasons or lose services, including Lyre River near Port Angeles and Bear Creek near Forks, which will close from Sept. 15, 2026, to April 15, 2027, and Snoqualmie-area sites, where some toilets will be locked from Oct. 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. (dnr.wa.gov) DNR tied the closures to more than $8 million in recreation-program reductions in less than two years. The agency said lawmakers cut the program by more than 20% in 2025 and removed another $580,000 in maintenance funding in the 2026 session. (dnr.wa.gov) The squeeze reaches beyond campsites. DNR said slower storm cleanup, dirtier trailheads, unstocked restrooms and less routine maintenance are likely across its recreation system, which spans 3.3 million acres of state trust lands. (dnr.wa.gov 1) (dnr.wa.gov 2) The staffing math helps explain the cutbacks. DNR said it has 60 field staff statewide, or about one worker for every 21.6 miles of trail, 50,000 acres and 333,000 visitors on DNR-managed lands. (dnr.wa.gov) The agency also lost Washington Conservation Corps support that had provided the equivalent of 70 additional field staff in prior years. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove said the final budget was less severe than earlier proposals, which let DNR avoid some closures “for now.” (dnr.wa.gov) (washingtonstatestandard.com) The funding mix has shifted, too. DNR said its recreation program gets 8% of Discover Pass sales, plus grants and a share of the gas tax, and the gas-tax piece has been declining even as the annual Discover Pass price increased to $45 in 2026. (dnr.wa.gov) (peninsuladailynews.com) Outside groups and local users are pushing back. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers board member Chris Gebauer told KING 5 that volunteers may be able to help at some sites, while fly-fishing advocates pressed DNR to keep Chopaka Lake Campground open and won a reprieve there. (king5.com) (nwsportsmanmag.com) For campers, the immediate change is simple: more Washington sites will be shut, shortened or less maintained in the 2026 season, and DNR is directing visitors to check its recreation alerts before they go. (dnr.wa.gov)