Washington States Budget Slashes Result In Campground Closures / Reductions

Long_Rod_Silvers

Long_Rod_Silvers

Elder Millennial
Forum Supporter
FYI, there's some campgrounds that will be closed as a result of Washington State budget cuts.

komonews.com

Washington state to close multiple campgrounds, slash recreation services amid budget cuts

Negative side effects are expected to include the closure of trailhead bathrooms, increased trash on trails, uncleared storm damage, and more.
komonews.com komonews.com

The list of closures, reductions, and effective dates currently includes:

  • 29 Pines Campground: Late opening - Campground will open July 2026 with reduced number of sites due to storm damage.
  • Anderson Lake Campground: Full closure - Will not reopen for 2026.
  • Bear Creek Campground: Seasonal closure - Effective 9/15/26 to 4/15/27.
  • Dougan Creek: Reduced season - Campground will open 6/1/2026; close 10/1/2026 to 6/1/2027.
  • Harry Osborne State Forest: Seasonal closure - Effective 12/1/2026 to 2/28/27.
  • Island Camp: Closed to overnight camping - Cabin and day use remain open. Overnight camping closed immediately.
  • Lyre River Campground: Seasonal closure - Effective 9/15/26 to 4/15/27.
  • Rock Lakes Campground: Full closure - Will not reopen for 2026.
  • Snoqualmie Area Sites: Seasonal restroom closures - Minimal bathroom cleaning services; locked toilet facilities from 10/1/2026 to 4/30/2027.
  • Upper Clearwater Campground: Full closure - Campground will close for the year on 6/1/2026.
  • Winston Creek Campground: Reduced season - Campground will open 6/1/2026; close seasonally from 10/1/2026 to 6/1/2027 (also open in December for hunting season)
 
I'm naturally a Debbie-Downer when it comes to this sort of thing, but I've been trying to talk myself into adopting the "serenity prayer" attitude and focusing on all of the fishing, camping, access, etc that I can still enjoy and trying to do so as much as possible. Works at least some of the time...
 
It'll all be AI in 3 years...
 
Scottybs said:
@DimeBrite … grenade time…just think of how far $13 million could have gone towards state parks for tax payer value instead of this dumpster fire…

komonews.com

$13M missing: Seattle leaders call attention to 'egregious' regional homelessness audit

According to city officials, the investigation found the agency was unable to account for about $13 million in public funds.
komonews.com komonews.com
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No it could not.
The story is about the City of Seattle/ King County, not the state.
Unless you are paying King County/ seattle taxes, this has little effect on you.

I feel bad for King Co. taxpayers. They already pay a massively disproportionate share to the state. They don't need this too.
 
charles sullivan said:
No it could not.
The story is about the City of Seattle/ King County, not the state.
Unless you are paying King County/ seattle taxes, this has little effect on you.

I feel bad for King Co. taxpayers. They already pay a massively disproportionate share to the state. They don't need this too.
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I’m well aware Charles, I was merely mocking the KCRHA situation correlating to an increase of state expenditures and less value for increased taxes. Simplistic terms… maybe with better oversight of tax funds, contributing members of society (you and I) can enjoy the beautiful parts of our state.
 
When i screwed Vern Davis out of his money in '83 it was due to loopholes I found!! Legal "GRAY AREAS" if ya will... I was ASSERTIVE and RISK EXPOSED enough to earn the win. I left Vern Davis in the dust Finanialy!!
 
charles sullivan said:
No it could not.
The story is about the City of Seattle/ King County, not the state.
Unless you are paying King County/ seattle taxes, this has little effect on you.

I feel bad for King Co. taxpayers. They already pay a massively disproportionate share to the state. They don't need this too.
Click to expand...
Hard to feel bad for King county tax payers. Then got exactly what they voted for.
Unfortunately the whole state also gets what they voted for.
 
I guess it really was that long ago that state and US Forest Service campgrounds were free to use. I recall going to Oregon, probably the early 80s and there was a fee to camp at the state park. I was shocked and dismayed. Didn't take long for WA to follow suit.
 
Rob Allen said:
Hard to feel bad for King county tax payers. Then got exactly what they voted for.
Unfortunately the whole state also gets what they voted for.
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No sure what county you live in, but it’s always worth looking at what your county puts in and receives back. There are certainly donor and subsidized recipient counties in our state. The last time I looked King County didn’t vote for the McCleary decision.
Maybe start the process of creating an initiative where your county can vote to reject any state funding that comes from King County.
SF
 
Scottybs said:
I’m well aware Charles, I was merely mocking the KCRHA situation correlating to an increase of state expenditures and less value for increased taxes. Simplistic terms… maybe with better oversight of tax funds, contributing members of society (you and I) can enjoy the beautiful parts of our state.
Click to expand...
Oversite of King Co and Seattle tax money does not corelate to any increase in state funding. Simplistic terms, what you wrote makes no sense.

I think that most WA state residents would be better off simply thanking King Co. Voters and taxpayers for subsidizing their schools, roads etc.

And yes, I feel bad for King Co. Taxpayers. The City and County tried to cooperate and be more efficient and it failed. I think it's reasonable to feel bad about that. If you actually feel good about that, you may want to do some introspection.
 
Stonedfish said:
No sure what county you live in, but it’s always worth looking at what your county puts in and receives back. There are certainly donor and subsidized recipient counties in our state. The last time I looked King County didn’t vote for the McCleary decision.
Maybe start the process of creating an initiative where your county can vote to reject any state funding that comes from King County.
SF
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Right on.
King Co gets less than 60 cents back for ever dollar sent to Olympia.
 
charles sullivan said:
Right on.
King Co gets less than 60 cents back for ever dollar sent to Olympia.
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King County has ~30% of the state population.
Snohomish and Pierce County each have ~10%.

So those 3 counties provide ~50% of the state budget. Yet the legislative representation is way less than that. Hmmmm...
 
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