--- title: "Several Washington Campgrounds Are Closing This Season. Budget Cuts Are the Reason" url: "https://camperfaqs.com/several-washington-campgrounds-are-closing-this-season-budget-cuts-are-the-reason" author: "Tory Jon" published: "2026-04-27T11:35:06-05:00" modified: "2026-04-27T11:35:08-05:00" --- # Several Washington Campgrounds Are Closing This Season. Budget Cuts Are the Reason Visitors planning RV trips to Washington’s public lands may find fewer campground options this year. The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced campground closures and service reductions across several recreation sites after recent budget cuts reduced funding for maintenance and staffing. The changes affect campgrounds, trail access, and basic services such as restroom cleaning and trash removal. Officials say the reductions were necessary after the agency lost millions of dollars in funding over the past two years. ## Budget Cuts Are Forcing Recreation Changes Washington’s Department of Natural Resources manages a large network of recreation areas across the state. These include campgrounds, trail systems, and forest recreation sites used by hikers, campers, horseback riders, and RV travelers. According to the agency, its recreation program has lost about $8 million in funding over the past two years. A recent legislative session also cut roughly $580,000 from the maintenance budget. Those reductions add pressure to an already stretched system. DNR officials say the cuts affect staffing levels and the ability to maintain recreation sites across the state. The agency currently has about 60 field staff responsible for recreation management statewide. That averages out to one staff member for every 50,000 acres of land and roughly one staff member for every 333,000 visitors. ## Three Campgrounds Will Fully Close in 2026 Several campgrounds will close completely for the 2026 season. The closures include: - Anderson Lake Campground in Elbe - Rock Lakes Campground in Conconully - Upper Clearwater Campground in Forks These sites will not reopen for the 2026 camping season. Another location, Island Camp in Glenwood, will remain open for day use but overnight camping has been suspended. ## Eleven Recreation Sites Are Affected In total, eleven recreation sites will see some type of change. Not all locations are closing completely. Some will operate on shortened schedules or have reduced services. Examples of changes include: - Seasonal campground closures during fall and winter - Later opening dates for some campgrounds - Locked restrooms during parts of the year - Reduced maintenance and cleaning services - Slower storm damage recovery Officials say visitors may also notice fewer stocked restrooms and more trash accumulation at some recreation areas due to staffing limits. ## Closures Were Based on Several Factors DNR evaluated several factors when deciding which sites would be affected. According to the agency, decisions were influenced by: - Maintenance costs - Site popularity and visitation levels - Distance from available staff - Damage from storms or other environmental factors Sites that require more resources to maintain or are difficult for limited staff to reach were more likely to face closures or shortened seasons. ## Outdoor Groups Are Concerned About Access Some recreation advocates say the cuts are disappointing given Washington’s reputation for outdoor recreation. Adam Gebauer, public lands program director for The Lands Council in Spokane, said reduced access affects people who rely on public lands for outdoor activities. He added that volunteer groups may be able to help maintain certain trails or recreation areas where possible. Community groups across the state already assist with trail maintenance and site cleanup in some locations. ## Officials Say More Cuts Were Avoided State officials say the final budget could have resulted in deeper reductions. Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove noted that earlier proposals included larger cuts to the recreation program. Those proposals were scaled back before the final budget was approved. The agency plans to work with lawmakers ahead of the 2027 legislative session in an effort to restore funding and stabilize recreation services. ## What Campers Should Do Before Visiting Visitors planning trips to Washington recreation sites should check current conditions before arriving. DNR recommends reviewing updated campground information and closures on its recreation website. Travelers should also follow posted closures and practice responsible recreation practices such as leaving no trace. For RV travelers, the closures mean that some smaller campgrounds and forest recreation areas may not be available during the 2026 season. Checking campground status before departure will help avoid surprises once on the road. **Sources** This article was based on reporting and information from: - MSN: “Washington state to close multiple campgrounds, slash recreation services amid budget cuts” [https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/washington-state-to-close-multiple-campgrounds-slash-recreation-services-amid-budget-cuts/ar-AA21uezt](https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/washington-state-to-close-multiple-campgrounds-slash-recreation-services-amid-budget-cuts/ar-AA21uezt) - Yahoo News: “Washington state cuts force closure…” [https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/washington-state-cuts-force-closure-031951337.html](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/washington-state-cuts-force-closure-031951337.html)