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Some Snake River Campgrounds, Parks to Stay Closed After Federal Cutbacks by Annette Cary Tri-City Herald, April 25, 2025

Pasco, Wash. -- You may find a favorite park or camping spot on the Snake River closed this summer.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is closing multiple outdoor recreation areas or amenities for the season in Eastern Washington, because of a lack of resources, including staff.

In addition, all project areas in the Walla Walla District of the Corps will see reductions in services, including maintenance, landscaping, trash collection and facility cleaning, the Corps announced Thursday afternoon.

Closures include Levey Park on the Snake River in Franklin County, the campground designed for RV hookups at Fishhook Park on the Snake River in Walla Walla County and the Illia Dunes Recreation Area, which is popular with college students.

The closures will allow staff to focus on maintaining safe, high-quality services at other locations the Walla Walla District of the Corps consider priorities.

“While these decisions were not made lightly, ensuring we continue to fulfill critical requirements for our land and wildlife management programs is necessary,” said Lt. Col. Katie Werback, commander of the Walla Walla District, in a statement.

The district has about 1,000 employees, and 50 have left through voluntary layoffs under the Trump administration, said Dylan Peters of the district's Public Affairs Office.

The district also is coping with the impact of hiring freezes that are leaving park ranger positions unfilled, he said.

Resources are being allocated to protect land, Peters said.

In the case of the popular Illia Dunes in Garfield County the closure is a matter of public safety, he said.

Already sheriff's deputies have had to be called to close the road to the park because so many cars were parked on the road that emergency vehicles would not have been able to reached the crowded park, if needed.

Particularly during May and August, it sometimes attracts hundreds of students from Washington State University in Pullman and the University of Idaho in Moscow to its sandy beach along the Snake River downstream from Lower Granite Dam.

It is not only a recreation area, but also a wildlife habitat management area.

Here are closures planned by the Corps:

Ice Harbor Dam and Lock

The Ice Harbor Visitor Center about 13 miles east of Pasco, including its fish viewing room, will close, although school and VIP tours may be booked.

Fishhook Park 18 miles east of Burbank on Highway 124 and then four miles north on Fishhook Park Road will open for the season as usual May 1.

However, the “Class A” campground will not open. Other more primitive camping sites will be available.

Levey Park, on the north side of the Snake River about 11 miles east of Pasco usually opens on Memorial Day Weekend, but will remain closed. The gates to the park will be closed to prevent people from entering.

The park usually offers day use boating, swimming, fishing and picnicking.

Not only will the Illia Dunes Recreation Area, between the Little Goose and Lower Granite dams close, but the Lambi Creek and Willow Creek recreation areas also will close.

Lambi Creek Recreation Area, 5 miles west of Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River, and Willow Landing, near Highway 127, usually are open year round for day-Use, boating and primitive camping.

Blyton Landing, also in Whitman County, with day-use, boating and primitive camping, will be closed.

The Lower Granite Dam visitor center will have no services available.

Recreation closures impact USACE sites
April 24, 2025

Walla Walla, Wash. -- Due to limited resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District is making targeted adjustments to recreation operations, resulting in the closure of multiple recreation areas.

This season, select areas will be closed to allow staff to focus on maintaining safe, high-quality service at priority locations. These adjustments are guided by the need to concentrate available resources, including personnel, where they are most impactful. Closures will remain in place until further notice.

Additionally, all Walla Walla District project areas (Mill Creek, McNary, Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose, Lower Granite, Lucky Peak and Dworshak) will experience reductions in services including maintenance, landscaping, trash collection and facility cleaning.

"Visitor well-being is our top priority," said Lt. Col. Katie Werback, Commander of the Walla Walla District. "While these decisions were not made lightly, ensuring we continue to fulfill critical requirements for our land and wildlife management programs is necessary."

The following areas will be closed:

• Ice Harbor Dam and Lock
  • Ice Harbor Visitor Center -- School and VIP tour booking still available
  • Fishhook Park & Class A Campground
  • Levey Park
• Little Goose Dam and Lock
  • Lambi Creek Recreation Area
  • Willow Landing Recreation Area
  • Illia Dunes Recreation Area & Habitat Management Units
• Lower Granite Dam and Lock
  • Visitor Center - no services available -- School and VIP tour booking still available
  • Blyton Landing
  • Lewiston Levee Parkway confluence parking and restrooms (D Street & Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center)
• Lower Monumental
  • Riparia Recreation Area

"By concentrating our resources, we can better maintain essential missions," said Werback.

USACE asks visitors to respect posted closures and any associated signs, flagging, or barriers.

Visitors are encouraged to "know before you go" as many locations lack cell phone coverage -- before leaving home:

• Check site status for closures, limited services, and safety advisories.
• Pack water, food, weather-appropriate gear, first aid, and navigation tools.
• If recreating on or near water, bring a life jacket and make a float plan.

For the latest information on recreation site availability and service updates, visit www.nww.usace.army.mil