Washington state park campers will face new stay limits starting August 19, as the Parks and Recreation Commission revises its policies. Campers will be restricted to a maximum of 10 consecutive nights in a single park within a 30-day period, with an overall cap of 90 days per calendar year across all state parks, according to a press release.
These changes, approved during the commission’s July 18 meeting in Bellingham, aim to create “clear and consistent camping stay limits for visitors, support stewardship of camping resources, and improve equity of access to camping.”
Currently, camping limits vary by season, with stays capped at 10 to 14 nights from April 1 to September 30, and up to 20 consecutive nights from October 1 to March 31, with an additional limit of 40 days within a 60-day period.
These new limits aim to ensure “equitable access” to camping opportunities for all visitors, according to Chris Holm, operations division manager for Washington State Parks. By preventing extended stays, more sites will be available to a wider range of campers.
He also highlighted that enhancing the visitor experience is their overall goal. “We want to create an atmosphere in state parks where people feel welcome and have a great time,” Holm explained, as quoted by Washington State Standard on July 23.
To ensure a smooth transition, the parks system will honor existing reservations made before August 18.
State parks in the region offer a variety of activities, from ADA accessible recreation to biking at Fort Ebey and bird watching at Deception Pass State Park. Visitors can also enjoy boating in Eastern Washington, camping, fishing, shellfishing, and seaweed harvesting.
The parks also feature geocaching on beaches, hiking, horseback riding, metal detecting, and paddlesports. For thrill-seekers, paragliding, hang gliding, and winter sports such as snowmobiling and snowshoeing are available.
The approach of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission illustrates the significance of enhancing visitor experiences and managing stay limits to boost camper satisfaction and encourage repeat visits. By adopting similar policies, private campgrounds can ensure a welcoming atmosphere, prevent resource overuse, and provide more opportunities for a diverse range of visitors.
For more information about the new camping stay limits, visit parks.wa.gov.
