News Release

2023 Winter Access

Date: December 15, 2022
Contact: Denise Bausch, 509-754-7830

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area invites you to come and enjoy the great outdoors no matter the season. With reduced staffing and resources during the winter, facilities and services are limited.

During the winter season, camping is only available in the Kettle Falls, Fort Spokane, and Spring Canyon campgrounds. Campsites are limited to:

• Kettle Falls: loop 1

• Fort Spokane: loop 1

• Spring Canyon: lower loop

Reservations are required but can be made in advance or from the campground upon arrival with adequate cell phone service. Reservations must be made at recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Individual campsites are available for winter camping at $11.50 per night.

There is no water service at Lake Roosevelt during the winter months. Vault toilets are available but will be cleaned on a limited basis. Please plan accordingly for water and restroom facilities.

Snow removal and sanding procedures run from November 1 to March 31 once two or more inches of snow have accumulated. The following locations are plowed on an as-needed basis:

• Kettle Falls boat launch and campground loop 1 road. Parking pads at campsites 3,6, 9, 10, and 13 will also be plowed.
• Gifford boat launch
• Fort Spokane boat launch andthe campground road to the vault toilet will be plowed. Parking pads at campsites 1,2,3, and 4 will also be plowed. 
• Keller Ferry boat launch
• Spring Canyon boat launch and lower campground loop road (but not individual campsites)

Additional locations may be plowed as weather and safety conditions allow.

All dumpsters and trash cans have been removed from our campgrounds, boat launches, and day-use areas. Please practice Leave No Trace principles and recreate responsibly by taking your trash home to dispose of it. Do not leave trash or dispose of it in fire rings. Under 36 CFR 2.14 (a) (1) visitors are prohibited from leaving refuse in places other than refuse receptacles as it is considered littering and may result in a fine of up to $200.

New gates are being installed at boat launches throughout the park. These gates will allow staff to close boat launches that are out of the water and protect lakeshore resources during the annual lake drawdown periods. Please remember that driving off road, metal detecting and digging of any kind are against park regulations.

All other Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area land is open to the visiting public to enjoy walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing opportunities as conditions permit.

Please check with www.nps.gov/laro for specific details about park operations.