Attention Memorial Day weekend campers: Fewer campsites at Wooten on Tucannon River

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) warns Memorial Day weekend campers in southeast Washington that there are fewer campsites this year at the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area on the Tucannon River in Columbia County.

Memorial Day weekend is the busiest time of the year for camping at the wildlife area. Wooten is one of the most popular wildlife areas in the state because of its camping facilities and easy access to fishing in eight hatchery-trout-stocked, man-made lakes on the Tucannon River. The site now has 10 campgrounds accommodating about 100 people, instead of the 17 campgrounds of the past.

Flooding during the past two years re-arranged the river's path and naturally reduced the available camping area. WDFW's long-range plan for Wooten has been to reduce campgrounds, or move them away from the river shoreline, to protect streamside habitat for fish and wildlife.

Camping at Wooten is on a first-come, first-served basis, with overnight camping only in designated areas; campfires only in designated campsites; pit toilets, and a pack-it-in/pack-it-out trash policy.

Alternatives to camping at Wooten include at least a half-dozen U.S. Forest Service campgrounds further south on the Tucannon and up Panjab and Sheep creeks in the Umatilla Forest, as well as a private resort just north of the wildlife area.

Day-use-only areas with parking space and toilets also are available to fishers at all eight Tucannon lakes.