Recreation sites opening for the season while most services continue to be offered virtually
information released by Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
As the days get longer and warmer, many are starting to plan their summer outings on the national forest and may be wondering what will be open this season. On the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, the majority of campgrounds and recreation sites are opening normally for the season as permitted by snow melt and site conditions. Most campgrounds will be open in time for the Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial kickoff to the camping season.
“This is the time of year our employees are busy doing maintenance and getting sites ready to open for the summer season,” says Recreation Program Manager Suzanne Cable. “Not all sites become accessible at the same time. It takes time to get to sites ready and some sites may have sustained damage over the winter that takes longer to repair. Although some trails have started to melt out, please be patient and prepared for patches of snow and down trees blocking trails during the early part of the season and until late summer for higher elevation areas. It’s important to check conditions before your visit to ensure the location you have in mind is open and accessible.”
Two campgrounds on the Cle Elum Ranger District will not be open for Memorial Day weekend. The Wishpoosh Campground will be opening in June to allow time for annual campground maintenance to occur after completing construction of several major improvements at the site including a new vault toilet and improvements to the road, parking lot and boat launch. Rider’s Camp will be closed for the season closed due to an outbreak of mountain pine beetle that has resulted in a substantial number of hazard trees that need to be mitigated prior to opening. For more information on that closure please visit our website.
In-person services are still limited at our ranger district and headquarters offices. Firewood cutting permits, recreation passes and visitor information continue to be available virtually through our website, by phone, or through vendors. The forest headquarters office in Wenatchee will remain closed through March 2022 for building renovations that are starting this month. Headquarters employees will be working from other locations and the front desk is closed to the public until further notice due to construction, so services will continue to be offered virtually. When district offices reopen, residents of the Wenatchee area will be able to access services at the Leavenworth or Entiat District offices.
