PACIFICORP'S POPULAR LEWIS RIVER PUBLIC CAMPING RESERVATION LINE OPENS FEB. 27
Posted: February 16th, 2010 9:06 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 16, 2010
Ready, set, camp!
PacifiCorp's popular Lewis River public camping reservation line opens Feb. 27
ARIEL, Wash. — With a mild winter rolling into spring, outdoor enthusiasts are already planning their summer jaunts in the beautiful Northwest. To help this impulse along, beginning Saturday, Feb. 27, campground reservations at PacifiCorp's Cresap Bay and Cougar Camp parks along the Lewis River in southwest Washington can be requested by calling the company's recreation line at 503-813-6666.
When to call
The recreation phone line will be open between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Feb. 27 and Feb. 28, but afterwards, only weekdays during the same hours. Other PacifiCorp-owned parks with campgrounds will continue to be available only on a first-come, first-served basis.
PacifiCorp, which serves electric customers as Pacific Power in Oregon, Washington and California, operates 14 parks and day-use facilities along three Lewis River reservoirs and below Merwin Dam. Facilities include 318 campsites and 268 picnic sites, fresh water, hot showers, swimming beaches, boat ramps, restrooms and RV stations. Recreation sites begin below Merwin Dam, located 10 miles east of Woodland, Wash., on state highway 503, and continue 40 miles upstream to Swift Camp.
Half-million visitors
Immensely popular in the region, about a half-million people used these public camping, fishing and day-use facilities during 2009, and the company expects another busy year in 2010.
In order to maintain this heavily-used area, PacifiCorp has increased campground fees, which had been unchanged for several years, by $3: Individual sites at Cresap Bay, Cougar and Beaver Bay campgrounds are now $20 per night; Swift Forest Campground is $17. At Merwin Park, fees for group day-use picnic sites remain at $15 plus extra vehicle parking costs.
Vehicle parking
No parking fees are collected during the current off-season. However, during the peak recreation season -- Memorial Day weekend to Sept. 15 -- a $3 parking fee is charged on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays at reservoir day-use parks. The exception is Merwin Park where the parking fee is always $1.
River access sites below Merwin Dam and at Eagle Cliff Park above Swift Reservoir do not have parking fees.
Parking passes for the summer season are available for $20. Passes can be purchased at the Woodland Information Center and at fee booths located at parks during hours they are staffed. Parties wishing to purchase parking passes by mail can send applications to: Recreation Department, PacifiCorp, 105 Merwin Village Court, Ariel, Wash. 98603. An application form can be obtained at www.lewisriver.com or by calling the recreation line at 503-813-6666.
Improvements, closures scheduled for September
Visitors should also note that major improvement projects will close two popular facilities in September. The Yale Boat ramp will be closed six weeks for extensive improvements as will Merwin Park for 8 to 12 weeks in the fall. More information on these closures will be available later in the summer.
Safety
Safety is the top priority in the Lewis River recreation area, whether it is a construction project or a camp out. The company is pleased to makes these areas available to the public and wants to encourage safety at all times. To that end, PacifiCorp contracts with the Clark, Cowlitz and Skamania county s sheriffs' offices, Clark County Marine Board and a private security company for additional security measures. Experienced third-party vendors chosen by PacifiCorp operate the recreational areas.
"PacifiCorp has a no-alcohol policy at our campgrounds and reservoirs," said Jane Hills, PacifiCorp recreation supervisor. "Alcohol use causes more complaints and problems for families using our facilities. It's in everyone's interest to maintain our parks so they are compatible for family use." She also asked that all people entering PacifiCorp parks become familiar with other posted rules so that everyone's enjoyment of the facilities is enhanced.
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Campground Season and Hours
Campground Gate Hours: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Cresap Bay Campground: Friday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30.
Cougar Campground and Park Season: Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Beaver Bay Campground: Last Saturday of April through Sept. 30.
Swift Forest Camp and Day-Use Season: Last Saturday of April through end of hunting season in November.
Campground Fees
Camping $17 - $20
Extra Occupants $2
Extra Vehicle $5
Overnight Moorage $5 (Cresap Bay Campground only)
Group Area $300 (120 people maximum, 15 sites.)
Recreation Site Season/Hours of operations
Island River Access Year-round, 24 hours
Cedar Creek River Access Year-round, 24 hours
Lewis River Fish Hatchery River Access Year-round, 24 hours
Johnson Creek Fishing Access Year-round, 24 hours
Merwin River Access Year-round, 24 hours
Merwin Park April 1 – Sept. 30, 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.,
Oct. 1 – March 31, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Speelyai Bay Park April 1 – through Thursday before Memorial Day, 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.,
Friday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30, 5 a.m. – 10 p.m.,
Oct. 1 – March 31, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Cresap Bay Campground and Day-Use Friday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saddle Dam Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, 5 a.m.– 10 p.m.
Yale Park April 1 – through Thursday before Memorial Day, 5 a.m. – 9 p.m.,
Friday before Memorial Day through Sept. 30, 5 a.m. – 10 p.m.,
Oct. 1 – March 31, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Cougar Campground and Park Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Beaver Bay Last Friday of April through Sept. 30, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Swift Camp Last Friday of April through end of hunting season in November, 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Eagle Cliff Year-round, 24 hours
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