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Campers in Washington’s state parks will soon find themselves unable to stay in one site quite as long.
New rules approved by the Washington Parks and Recreation Commission limit camping stays to no more than 10 consecutive nights in one park in a 30-day period and a maximum of 90 days per calendar year in all state parks.
The new limits go into effect Aug. 18 and will apply year-round. The parks system will honor existing reservations and enforce limits on new reservations after Aug. 18.
Commissioners made the decision at their July 18 meeting in Bellingham.
Chris Holm, operations division manager for Washington State Parks, said the changes will provide campers with “more clear and consistent” guidelines since they will be the same year-round.
Currently, the maximum stay at a state campground ranges from 10 to 14 nights between April 1 and Sept. 30, depending on the park. Between Oct. 1 and March 31, the limit is 20 consecutive nights. People also cannot stay more than 40 days at a campground in a 60-day period.
Another point of the new rules is to provide more “equitable access” to camping opportunities.
If a campsite is always occupied by one individual or a group of individuals, others cannot get into that same site, nor can state parks employees do maintenance on the sites, Holm said.
Few people are expected to be impacted by the limits on long-term stays, commissioners were told. In 2023, only 10 full-fare campers stayed longer than 90 nights and of 10,000 Discover Pass holders, fewer than 100 of them exceeded that mark, state parks staff said.
“We want to emphasize more of the recreational aspects of camping … versus residency-type camping,” Holm said. “And enhancing the visitor experience is our overall goal. We want to create an atmosphere in state parks where people feel welcome and have a great time.”
— By Jerry Cornfield, Washington State Standard
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Is there any part of a Washingtonian life the state will not impose itself into? I suppose that retired travelers will just have to go to another state. Absolutely short sighted democrat policy that will backfire with lost tourism.
You’re opposed to more equitable sharing of the limited number of camping sites available? Ten days is a good, long stay; campsites are not long-term residency sites, and will long occupation, fewer people get to enjoy them.
Our population is expanding. It is inevitable and normal that concessions – limiting “liberties” if you will – need to be made to accommodate our greater numbers and open opportunities for more of us to enjoy our wildernesses.
It’s a good thing that Washington State is “imposing” itself on Washington State land for the better enjoyment of greater numbers. It’s what happens when a society seeks to give equal access to all.
My nephew and niece have moved to rural Idaho to avoid the need to accommodate others. Perhaps this might be a solution to think about?
It is good that rivers are and always will be PUBLIC land at the federal level and the state and local authorities try as they will can never infringe or limit access to the bank or bed of a floatable river. Per federal law. NORR national organization for river rights. This land is our land entrusted to the state only to preserve and ensure the ownership by the PUBLIC
I’m confused by your comment, Marianne. As a retired traveler, I’m delighted that more campsites will be available now that durations are limited. With an ever-increasing population and increased interest in getting out into nature and camping, it has gotten almost impossible to get a campsite reservation. I find this a very welcome change!
Remember how our beautiful Mt Rainier park used to be. Remember how it used to be respected? Remember how no one would dare go into the wildflower areas? They were marked as do not enter do not step on… Last I looked the lots were crammed the blocking of parked cars, the trash overflowing? The chairs set up in the meadows? I am glad too that it is only 10 days. It was difficult years back to find a nice spot to camp true, but I would imagine now with that long-term camping?? That it is nearly impossible. So, It is a good idea to limit it. I might have gone with 2 weeks since for some families that would be all the vacation time they had. They have to drive there and back home and pack up and all. So yeah 14 days would be better. But 10 is good. Have fun camping folks. Watch out for those Racoons ha.