We’re shining up our 19 Columbia River-side recreation areas for another season of safe, family-friendly fun. We’ve got the “ingredients” – the mighty river, boat launches, picnic areas, trails, camping, wildlife viewing, and more. All you need to do for a beautiful, low-to-no-cost adventure is just add people! Brought to you by Grant PUD hydropower.
For a full set of recreation-area rules, visit 509river.org/park-rules. Here are some highlights. We’ll add a new category, weekly:
Family fun means safety in and around the water
We want to keep you and your entire family safe and happy as you venture to the Columbia River to swim, fish, boat or paddle.
- The Columbia River is a working reservoir for Grant PUD’s Priest Rapids and Wanapum hydroelectric dams. Water levels and conditions will change without notice based on dam operations. Likewise, changes in wind conditions can turn a calm river into white-capped chop. Currents can be deceptively strong. In the spring and early summer, water is ice-cold from melting mountain snow. Enjoy the river at your own risk. Be extra aware of changing conditions and buddy up if you go in for a swim or paddle.
- State law requires all boats to have a life jacket aboard for every passenger. We at Grant PUD highly recommend that everyone wear a life jacket anytime you’re in or on the water.
- Swimming is prohibited around boat launches and docks to reduce danger from boat traffic. For the same reason, jumping and diving off docks are also prohibited.
- Boaters, please observe areas posted as no-wake zones for safety.
Family-friendly campers are good neighbors, too
Grant PUD campsites, whether for tent or RV camping, generally place visitors in closer proximity to each other. Some enjoy this for a little neighborly camaraderie. Others prefer to keep more to themselves, enjoying the natural sounds of nature. Everyone is welcome and deserves an enjoyable stay. Here’s how you can help:
- Camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds and campsites. Tents are not allowed outside of developed tent pads, except in the Priest Rapids Recreation Area.
- Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., but campers should be mindful of their noise levels at all times of day.
- A maximum of 8 people are permitted at a campsite overnight.
- Campsites are limited to one recreational vehicle and may not exceed a total of two vehicles at the same time.
- For full details about camping rates, rules, check-in/check-out times and campgrounds, visit org/camping.
‘Family friendly’ means cleanliness
Grant PUD’s seasonal recreation-area staffers work hard to keep the restrooms clean and the grounds safe and well-tended. You can help them by:
- Leaving your camping or picnicking spot even cleaner than it was when you arrived.
- Take your trash with you or deposit it in one of the many provided garbage cans.
- Dispose of RV waste only in recreation areas where sewage hookups are available.
- Clean up after your pets.
- If you’ve cooked that day’s catch, deposit the fish guts and any uneaten parts back into the water body from which they were caught, not in the trash cans, please.
‘Family friendly’ means keeping it safe
Safety is our Number 1 priority in all Grant PUD recreation areas. That, too, requires collaboration.
- Please don’t bring glass containers. When these break it’s almost impossible to retrieve all the bits and shards from the soft ground. This poses a risk to tiny feet or paws.
- Drugs and alcohol are prohibited, as are all fireworks and explosives. Organized fireworks shows are allowed by permit only.
- Central Washington becomes highly prone to wildfire during the summer and early fall. Please honor posted restrictions to fire-pit use. Be fanatically careful with flame, cigarettes, hot oil – anything that could readily set the dry landscape afire.
- Be aware of others. Report unsafe situations to Grant PUD’s recreation-area security. Our security officials are friendly and willing to help.
‘Family friendly’ relies on respect
Grant PUD recreation areas are beautiful places that attract all types of visitors, from peace-and-quiet seekers, to nature lovers, to those who want to relax and have fun. Respect for others is what makes it work.
- Respect the space of others and the wildlife that inhabits the area.
- Keep music turned low or off and respect quiet time at night.
- Dogs – even friendly, harmless ones, must be leashed.
- Clothing or beachwear must be worn in public.
- If you bring any wheeled fun vehicles, like bicycles or scooters – whether electrified or non – obey the maximum 15 mph speed limit. Always yield to pedestrians, children and pets (both sometimes escape!) and wildlife.
- Use of drones or remote-control model planes or other unmanned aerial objects are prohibited for everyone’s privacy and to preserve peace and quiet.
A little consideration of others makes the visit better for everyone!
