News Release

Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is increasing recreational access

Date: June 1, 2020
Contact: Denise Bausch, 509-754-7830

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.

While the Washington State Stay at Home order has lapsed and four of the five counties (Lincoln, Stevens, Ferry, Grant, and Okanogan counties) surrounding Lake Roosevelt have entered Phase 2 of the Washington State Safe Restart plan (https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-issues-safe-start-proclamation-county-approach-re-opening), Washington State, while modified, remains in Phase 1. At this time, the National Park Service reminds everyone that campgrounds and other facilities at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area will remain closed until further notice.

“Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area is a magnet for visitors from outside the five counties that border the Lake. According to a visitor survey conducted in 2016 (https://www.nps.gov/laro/getinvolved/planning.htm), 94% of our visitors come from throughout Washington State. With an average annual visitation of 1.3 million people a year, approximately 1 million of those visitors come between April and September each year.” says Dan Foster, Superintendent of Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. “Of those visitors, 500,000 people come from three Washington State counties: Spokane, King, and Snohomish. Opening camping encourages people from high COVID19 areas to travel to low COVID19 areas despite current Washington State guidance. We are supporting Washington State's phased opening to help protect the small communities surrounding Lake Roosevelt.”

Beginning June 1^st, 2020, Lake Roosevelt will begin accepting boat launch fee payments by credit card only:

• Weekly boat launch fees can be purchased at https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/656441199. These permits can be purchased before you leave home.
• Annual boat launch permits can be purchased with a credit card either online at https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/64970644 or in person at select locations around Lake Roosevelt (https://www.nps.gov/laro/planyourvisit/fees.htm). If purchasing on-line, please allow a minimum of seven days to receive your permit in the mail.

Phase One also allows for the following activities at Lake Roosevelt:

• 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 to individuals of the same household.

The following spaces continue to be available:

• Eight day-use areas (Spring Canyon, Keller Ferry, Fort Spokane, Porcupine Bay, Hunters, Bradbury Beach, Kettle Falls, and Evans) 
• 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 as the water level rises.
• Shoreline outside of the two Reservation’s boundaries. You must be fully self-contained if you are planning to camp. There are no floating restrooms or backcountry facilities available. If you pack it in, pack it out. This includes human waste and waste disposal bags, disposable gloves, and masks.

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

• All campgrounds and vault and flush restrooms. 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.
• Water services
• 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

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.