Trump cuts closed Snake River camping and parks. Will they reopen this year?

Tri-Cities residents will have more options for camping and day outings this year near the Tri-Cities as the Army Corps of Engineers opens more parks along the Snake River.

Last year some parks in the Corps’ Walla Walla District were closed or did not open until late in the season because of federal staffing reductions and freezes under the new Trump administration.

This year Levey Park in Franklin County will be open for day use, and Fishhook Park and Campground also will reopen. Both parks were closed last year.

The Corps took advantage of the offseason at Charboneau Park and Campground in Walla Walla County for a nearly $1 million upgrade to the septic system.

The Army Corps will not open the Ice Harbor Visit Center near Burbank this year, but the Ice Harbor Dam recreation areas will be open.

The visitor center phone number will be active, including its recording of dates that parks open. Call 509-547-2048.

To make camping reservations at Corps parks, visit recreation.gov or call 877-444-6777.

For all day use parks and camping areas in the Walla Walla District of the Army Corps of Engineers go to nww.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation.

Tri-Cities area parks, campgrounds

• Charboneau Park and Campground opens Friday, May 1.

It is 15 miles east of the Tri-Cities via Highway 124 and is used not only for camping, but is popular for day-use with boating, fishing and swimming.

The camping area has 51 RV and tent sites with electrical hook-ups and 15 sites with electrical, potable water and sewer hook-ups. The campground has flush toilets in the summer and free showers.

The day-use area has picnic shelters, a playground and a swim beach.

Its two-lane, paved launch ramp into Lake Sacajawea is open year-round.

• Fishhook Park and Campground opens May 15.

It is 18 miles east of Burbank on Highway 124 and then four miles north on Fishhook Park Road and has day-use boating, fishing and swimming in addition to camping.

It offers 41 RV and tent camping sites with electrical hookups and all but one with water hookups. It also has 11 tent-only sites with no hookups.

The campground has flush toilets, free showers, a playground, horse-shoe pits, potable water spigots and a dump station.

The day-use area also has restrooms, sun shelters, a playground, a swim beach and a two-lane paved boat ramp.

• Levey Park opens May 15 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and holidays from 6 a.m. to sunset for day use and swimming.

It is on the north side of the Snake River about 11 miles east of Pasco via the Pasco-Kahlotus highway and one mile south on Levey Road.

It offers boating, swimming, fishing and picnicking, but no camping.

• Windust Park day-use opens May 15.

The park has a one-lane launch ramp and a dock and dry camping is allowed at 24 primitive campsites.

The park is 30 miles from the Tri-Cities on the Pasco-Kahlotus highway and then 5 miles southeast on Burr Canyon Road.

• Ice Harbor North Shore Recreation Area is open year round.

It is nine miles east of the Tri-Cities and then three miles on Ice Harbor Dam Road.

It offers day-use, including a covered shelter, fishing and boating with a two-lane launch ramp and a dock.

• Ice Harbor South Shore Recreation Area is open year round.

It is 5.5 miles east of Burbank on Highway 124 and then 2.5 miles north on Monument Drive.

It offers fishing and day-use, with a vault toilet only and no tables.

This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 3:56 PM.