News Release

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area increasing limited camping access

Date: June 22, 2020
Contact: Denise Bausch, 5097547830

Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is increasing recreational access and services. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area receives approximately 65% of its annual visitation between June and September. In addition to the five counties surrounding Lake Roosevelt (Lincoln, Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan, and Grant), approximately 61% 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, 2020. 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 5 people outside your 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. Please bring and use your own hand sanitizer.
• By reservation only: Spring Canyon, Fort Spokane, and Kettle Falls campgrounds. We have expanded the number of campsites available through the reservation system at these campgrounds. Group campsites will remain closed until further notice in compliance with Washington State Phase 2 gathering restriction. 
• Reservations through https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/2802 will reopen on June 23, 2020 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.

Please be aware that the opening date is subject to change. The park continues to monitor the Coronavirus pandemic and work closely with state and local public health officials. Campground operations may change at any time throughout the summer due to required COVID-19 mitigations.

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.
• You must be fully self-contained if you are planning to camp. There are no floating restrooms available. If you pack it in, pack it out. This includes human waste and waste disposal bags, disposable gloves, and masks.
• All land, including shorelines, of both reservations are closed to all non-tribal members until further notice.

With public health in mind, the following facilities and services remain closed at this time:

• For areas outside of the eight day-use areas and three campgrounds listed above, bring your own outdoor toilet option (marine sanitation device for your boat or something like a Luggable Loo, Wag Bags, Biffy Bags, etc. for day-use areas) soap, water, hand sanitizer and toilet paper with you. Please leave no trace and take everything home.
• Water services outside of the eight day-use areas and three campgrounds listed above.
• Fish cleaning stations
• Trash collection. If you pack it in, 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)

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Lake Roosevelt, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services will be limited. When recreating, the public should follow state health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/laro and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.