WA officials warn campers, hikers of wildfire danger on Labor Day weekend

In early May, public lands across the state of Washington started to reopen for recreation opportunities after being closed to help limit the spread of COVID-19. A month later, the Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that camping in 22 counties would reopen on June 1, having not been included in the activities to reopen earlier in May.

The counties reopening for camping were those actively in Phase 2 of the “Safe Start” plan, and had been approved for camping by county officials. Campsites opened on a rolling basis, depending on the location and if maintenance was needed.

Expensive gear can be an obstacle for BIPOC who want to camp

Now, day-use sites remain open in all counties, opening one half-hour before sunrise and closing one half-hour after sunset. Most Phase 3 and Phase 2 counties are open for camping, though Island and San Juan counties remain closed for camping until further notice.

For any campers planning a trip this Labor Day weekend, check state agency websites for the status of individual campgrounds and dispersed camping, and have a back-up should the campsite be crowded.

“While we get back outside, it is imperative to do all we can to keep ourselves, our families, and our communities safe by recreating responsibly,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz at the end of May. “We must always be vigilant in our fight against COVID-19, practicing good physical distancing and proper hygiene, so we can continue to enjoy camping with our families throughout the summer.”

All visitors and campers are asked to recreate responsibly, which includes keeping groups small, packing out any trash, taking soap and hand sanitizer, keeping physical distance from others, and staying home if you’re sick. When possible, officials recommend finding recreation options close to home to avoid putting a strain on other communities. If you arrive at a trail, campsite, or park that is already crowded and social distancing may be difficult, it’s advised to go elsewhere.

Washington state is also experiencing wildfires, and reminds all campers to never leave a campfire unattended and do their part to prevent fires.

As we head out with our families to enjoy #LaborDayWeekend, remember our firefighters and support staff who are on call and on the frontlines. They risk their lives to keep our communities safe from #wildfire. In return, we can all do our part to prevent new fires from starting. https://t.co/oSJh5FDvHn

— Hilary Franz (@Hilary_FranzCPL) September 3, 2020

Check for burn bans before lighting a campfire, and only use fire rings approved by the Department of Natural Resources, available in DNR campgrounds. No dispersed camping fires are allowed.

Find a list of camping, recreation, and day-use openings at DNR locations online here, state parks here, and Department of Fish and Wildlife spots here. The Washington Trails Association has updated information about open trails and hikes.