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Last Chance for a Popular Eastern WA Salmon Fishing Tradition Before it's Shut Down by Annette Cary Tri-City Herald, September 30, 2025

The GAO said that to date DOE has spent $13 billion on the vitrification plant,
where construction began two decades ago.

Kennewick, Wash. -- The years-long tradition of camping by Vernita Bridge on the Columbia River will end Oct. 16, the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife is reminding campers.

The fall chinook season is one of the most popular in Eastern Washington, and through the years anglers and fishing guides have set up camps in the fall by the Vernita bridge for days at a time or even the duration of the fishing season.

Until last fall, the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife ignored the camping trailers, motorhomes and tents at the site, which is intended only for day use.

But it's a tradition that's grown too popular.

The level of use at Vernita Bridge is unsustainable, according to the department.

The lack of onsite sewage and sanitation facilities poses a risk to people's health and piled up trash attracts animals and insects, it said.

As camping has increased, more and more of the natural landscape has been destroyed as camping spots and unofficial boat launches are created, the department said.

For the 2024-25 fall salmon season, designated areas were marked for overnight and day use, and camping has been limited to two weeks in a 30-day period.

When this fall salmon season ends Oct. 15, camping will be permanently prohibited and vehicle access will be limited to a smaller day-use area. The Department of Fish and Wildlife will continue to work to develop an improved boat launch, restroom and parking area for the day-use only site, it said. The department also has been working to identify an alternative camping site, which will require money to develop in a process expected to take several years.

When this fall salmon season ends Oct. 15, camping will be permanently prohibited and vehicle access will be limited to a smaller day-use area.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife will continue to work to develop an improved boat launch, restroom and parking area for the day-use only site, it said.

The department also has been working to identify an alternative camping site, which will require money to develop in a process expected to take several years.

In the meantime, the department is providing information on alternate camping areas and boat launch sites.

Limited alternative camping options in the area include:

1. Desert Aire RV park, Mattawa, 11 miles from Vernita
2. Jackson Creek Fish Camp, Mattawa, Grant PUD, 7 miles from Vernita
3. Priest Rapids Recreation Area, Desert Aire, Grant PUD, 11 miles from Vernita

For those looking for other sites to launch boats in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River, access to the middle of the Hanford Reach is available near the Ringold Fish Hatchery area. The upper Reach can be accessed at the White Bluffs day use launch.

Related Pages:
EPA, DOE Reach Settlement on Timetable to Remove Hanford Sludge Along Columbia River by Staff, Columbia Basin Bulletin, 5/29/15
EPA Begins Fining Hanford Over Deadline by Associated Press, The Columbian, 10/15/14
State Presents Hanford Cleanup Priority List by Annette Cary, The Bellingham Herald, 5/24/14
$3.6B Needed in 2016 for Hanford Cleanup by Annette Cary, Tri-City Herald, 5/14/14
State Too Quick to Threaten Consent Decree Provision Over Hanford Cleanup by Editorial Board, Tri-City Herald, 4/22/14