14-038 Corps of Engineers offers summer recreation opportunities near Ice Harbor Dam

Published May 21, 2014

BURBANK, Wash. – Outdoors enthusiasts can enjoy warm-weather activities at recreation facilities managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers near Ice Harbor Lock and Dam.

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 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 vessel less than 19 foot in length. Recreation information is available on our website: www.nww.usace.army.mil/corpsoutdoors.

Visitors may continue to see changes in services and operating seasons at some parks as a result of recent years’ decreases in the Walla Walla District’s recreation budget. To help keep parks open to the public, district natural resources management staff welcome local volunteers and organizations to assist with maintenance and other chores at Corps-operated recreation facilities.

Volunteers are a key factor in keeping recreation facilities clean and beautiful for everyone to enjoy, according to Ice Harbor Natural Resources Management Office park rangers. If you’d like to volunteer to help with an individual or group project, contact the Ice Harbor Natural Resources Management Office at 509-543-6066 or e-mail IceHarborParks&Recreation@usace.army.mil. Individuals or organizations interested in volunteering at other Corps-operated recreation sites throughout the Walla Walla District may contact Natural Resources Management at 509-527-7139 or e-mail VolunteerCOEWalla@usace.army.mil.

 

Contact information for parks listed below unless stated otherwise: Ice Harbor Natural Resources Management. Telephone: 509-547-2048. E-mail: IceHarborParks&Recreation@usace.army.milIf wanting to reserve a campsite go online to www.recreation.gov. All sites are by reservation only. 

Hood Park Boat Basin – Open year-round. Facilities: day-use area, vault toilet, fishing and wildlife viewing. Getting there: travel 3 miles south of Pasco, Wash., on U.S. Highway 12, after crossing Snake River bridge, turn west at junction of Highway 124, located at Snake River Mile 2 on the south bank.

Hood Park – May 16 through Sept. 2 – park gates are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Facilities: restrooms, showers, camping, group shelters, playground, swimming beach, day-use, picnicking, fishing, boat ramp, nature trail, fishing and wildlife viewing. The trail and the boat ramp are open to the public year round. Monday through Thursday, outdoor lovers can camp for 50 percent off regular camping fees.  All campsites at Hood Park are reservable. Getting there: travel 3 miles south of Pasco, Wash., on U.S. Highway 12, turn east at junction of Highway 124, park is immediately on the left; located at Snake River Mile 2.5, on the south riverbank of Lake Wallula.

Ice Harbor Lock and Dam – April 1 through Oct. 31 – Visitor Center/Fish Viewing Room is open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Facilities (year round): day-use, boat ramp on the north shore, and Ice Harbor Dam Trailhead for the Columbia Plateau Trail following the old railway on the north shore. Visitor Center is on the south shore, parking is located outside the complex, and visitors must pass the guard station to enter. Visitors will not be allowed to bring the following items inside the visitor center: backpacks, purses or bags of any sort (including diaper bags), cameras, cell phones and other electronic devices. All adults must carry photo identification and will be required to wear a visitor pass that is easily visible while in the center. There is no visitor access to other areas of the dam. Getting there: travel 5.5 miles east of Burbank, Wash., on Highway 124, then 2.5 miles north on Monument Drive; located at Snake River Mile 9.7 on Lake Wallula.

Charbonneau Park – May 16 through Sept. 2 – park gates open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Facilities: restrooms, showers, camping, day-use, fishing, swimming beach, playgrounds, picnicking, group shelter, boat ramp and marina. Campsites at Charbonneau Park are 100 percent reservable.  Getting there: travel 8.3 miles east of Burbank, Wash., on Highway 124, then 2 miles north on Sun Harbor Drive; located at Snake River Mile 11, on the south riverbank of Lake Sacajawea.

Levey Park – May 18 through Sept. 4 – Boat ramp access only, open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday through Sunday and on holidays. No restrooms.  Getting there: travel 10.5 miles east of Pasco, Wash., on Pasco-Kahlotus Road, then 1 mile south on Levey Road; located at Snake River Mile 13, on the north riverbank of Lake Sacajawea.

Big Flat – Open year-round; no specific hours of operation. Facilities: day-use area, fishing, hiking, hunting, primitive camping sites, wildlife viewing and boat ramp. Getting there: travel 11.1 miles east of Pasco, Wash., on Pasco-Kahlotus Road, then one-half mile south on Herman Road; located at Snake River Mile 15, on the north riverbank of Lake Sacajawea.

Fishhook Park – May 16 through Sept. 2 – open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Facilities: restrooms, showers, swimming beach, camping, picnicking, playground, group shelter, fishing and boat ramp. All campsites at Fishhook Park are reservable. Getting there: travel 18 miles east of Burbank, Wash., on Highway 124, then 4 miles north on Fishhook Park Road; located at Snake River Mile 18, on the south riverbank of Lake Sacajawea. The potable water system was recently tested, showing nitrate levels above 10 milligrams per liter (mg/L), and is not recommended for consumption. Infants, women who are/or may become pregnant and others with certain health conditions should not consume the water. It is recommended that campers and day-use visitors bring enough drinking water with them to last through the duration of their visit.

Lake Emma – Open year-round. Facilities: day-use area, fishing, primitive camping sites. Getting there: from Pasco-Kahlotus Highway West, take Murphy Road for 3 miles, then south on Page Road for 1 mile; located at Snake River Mile 19, on the north riverbank of Lake Sacajawea.

Lost Island (Votaw) Habitat Management Unit – Open year-round – pedestrian access only – parking lot located outside fence. Facilities: day-use, hunting, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing. Getting there: travel 18.5 miles east of Pasco, Wash., on Pasco-Kahlotus Road, then 3 miles south on McClenny Road and 2 miles south on Votaw Road; located at Snake River Mile 23, on the north riverbank of Lake Sacajawea.

Hollebeke Habitat Management UnitOpen year-round. Pedestrian access only – parking lot located outside fence. Facilities: day-use, hunting, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing. Getting there: travel 19 miles east of Burbank, Wash., on Highway 124, then 6 miles north on Rice Road; located at Snake River Mile 25, on the south riverbank of Lake Sacajawea.

Walker Habitat Management Unit – Open year-round. Pedestrian access only – parking lot located outside fence.  Facilities: day-use, hunting, fishing, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing. Getting there: travel 26 miles east of Burbank, Wash., on Highway 124, then 8.6 miles on Lyons Ferry Road to Clyde, Wash., left turn and travel 4 miles northwest on Lower Monumental Road, and 9.2 miles west on Wooden Road; located at Snake River Mile 30, on the south riverbank of Lake Sacajawea.

Snake River Junction Habitat Management Unit – Open year-round. Facilities: day-use area, fishing, primitive camping sites and Snake River Junction Trailhead for the Columbia Plateau Trail. Getting there: from Pasco-Kahlotus Highway, travel 21 miles east of Pasco, turn on Snake River Road follow down to river about 4 miles of Lake Sacajawea.

Windust Park – May 16 to Sept. 2 – Facilities: day-use area, boat ramp, fishing, picnicking, playground and primitive camping. No restrooms. Getting there: travel 30 miles northeast of Pasco, Wash., on Pasco-Kahlotus Road, and 5.2 miles southeast on Burr Canyon Road; located at Snake River Mile 39, on the north riverbank of Lake Sacajawea.

Matthews Day-use Area – Open year-round. Facilities: vault toilet, day-use, boat ramp and fishing. Getting there: travel 26 miles east of Burbank, Wash., on Highway 124, then 8.6 miles north on Lyons Ferry Road to Clyde, Wash., take a left turn on Lower Monumental Road and travel 15.2 miles north, then turn left 1 mile before the dam, and go 1 mile east to Matthews; located at Snake River Mile 41, on the south riverbank of Lake Sacajawea.

Find a Walla Walla District outdoor recreation opportunity near you – www.nww.usace.army.mil/corpsoutdoors.

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Contact
Public Affairs
50-527-7020
cenww-pa@usace.army.mil

Release no. 14-038