UMATILLA, Ore. – Outdoors enthusiasts can enjoy spring at recreation facilities operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ McNary Natural Resource Management Office.
Corps recreation planners invite the public to "play it safe" while having some warm-weather fun. Although above-water temperatures are becoming warmer, springtime water temperatures can be cold enough to cause swimmers to develop hypothermia – a severe lowering of core body temperature. State boating, hunting and fishing regulations apply to visitors at Corps sites. Hunting on Corps property is allowed in designated areas only. Boaters should ensure personal floatation devices are on board for each person – children 12 and younger are required to wear PFDs when in a boat.
Recreation areas associated with Walla Walla District’s McNary Lock and Dam on the Columbia River are scheduled to open as follows:
Wildlife Nature Area – open year-round, gates closed from sunset to sunrise between May 15 and Sept. 15. Facilities: day-use, hiking trails, wildlife viewing, non-motorized boating, fishing. Getting there: travel 1.5 miles east of Umatilla, Oregon, on Highway 730, 1 mile north on McNary Dam Road, and 0.5 mile west on Third Street; located at Columbia River Mile 291, on the south riverbank of Lake Umatilla.
McNary Lock and Dam – Oregon-shore publicly accessible areas open year-round. Facilities: boat ramp, day-use areas, fish-ladder viewing room. Getting there: travel 1 mile east of Umatilla, Ore., on Highway 730, turn north onto McNary Dam Road; located at Columbia River Mile 292, on the south riverbank.
Pacific Salmon Visitor Information Center – open year-round, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Facilities: restrooms, interpretive displays, juvenile fish facility viewing areas. Getting there: travel 1 mile east of Umatilla, Ore., on Highway 730, turn north onto McNary Dam Road; located at Columbia River Mile 292, on the south riverbank of Lake Umatilla.
Powerhouse Display Gallery – open year-round, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Facilities: interpretive displays, juvenile powerhouse viewing areas, restrooms. Visitors will not be allowed to bring the following items inside the powerhouse: backpacks, purses or bags of any sort (including diaper bags), cameras, cell phones and other electronic devices. All adults must carry photo identification with them at all times and will be required to wear a visitor pass that is easily visible while in the center. Getting there: travel 1 mile east of Umatilla, Ore., on Highway 730, turn north onto McNary Dam Road; located at Columbia River Mile 292, on the south riverbank.
Spillway Park – open year-round. Facilities:day-use, picnic shelters are available for reservation April 1 to Sept. 15. Getting there: travel 1 mile east of Umatilla, Ore., on Highway 730, turn north onto McNary Dam Road; located at Columbia River Mile 292, on the south riverbank of Lake Wallula.
West Park – open year-round. Facilities: day-use; picnic shelters are available for reservation April 1 to Sept. 15. Getting there: travel 1 mile east of Umatilla, Ore., on Highway 730, turn north onto McNary Dam Road; located at Columbia River Mile 292, on the south riverbank of Lake Wallula.
Oregon Boat Launch – open year-round. Facilities: boat ramp, day-use. Getting there: travel 1 mile east of Umatilla, Ore., on Highway 730, turn north onto McNary Dam Road; located at Columbia River Mile 292, on the south riverbank of Lake Wallula.
Washington Boat Launch – open year-round. Facilities: day-use, boat ramp. Getting there: from Highway 82, take Exit-131, travel 2 miles east on dam access road; located at Columbia River Mile 292, on the north (Washington) riverbank of Lake Wallula.
McNary Beach – open year-round, gates closed from sunset to sunrise between May 15 and Sept.15. Facilities: day-use, picnic shelters are available for reservation April 1 to Sept. 15. Getting there: travel 3 miles east of Umatilla, Ore., on Highway 730, then 1 mile north on Port of Umatilla Road to McNary Beach Recreation Area entrance road; located at Columbia River Mile 293, on the south riverbank of Lake Wallula.
Warehouse Beach – open year-round. Facilities: day-use, swimming area. Getting there: travel 9.5 miles east of Umatilla, Ore., on Highway 730 to Highway 37, exit at Highway 37, and travel immediately north on the gravel road for 0.4 mile of Lake Wallula.
Sand Station – open year-round during daylight hours. Facilities: semi-primitive no-fee camping, day-use. Getting there: travel 10.5 miles east of Umatilla, Ore., on Highway 730. Follow highway signs; located at Columbia River Mile 300, on the south riverbank of Lake Wallula.
Contact information: McNary Natural Resources Management. Telephone: (541) 922-2268. Email: McNaryParks&Recreation@usace.army.mil.
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