Canoe Camp Closed Due to "Vandalism, Transience, and Non-Payment"

[boy&hisdogs]

This is mostly just a rant, consider yourselves warned...

The only campground on my favorite stretch of river got closed last year right before we had a trip planned. Back then it was temporary, until they figured out how to deal with the issues. We decided to just make it a day trip and try again next year. Well now it is next year... and now the closure is permanent. I'm relatively new to the area, and never actually got to do this trip overnight, and I was really looking forward to it.

The sad part is that most parks and public spaces here are much cleaner and nicer than where I'm originally from. No bums or junkies or tent cities... but somehow the one that I really cared about is the one that gets closed.

Why can't people just behave themselves?

 

[tketcham]

Can you be more specific? I've paddled quite a few sections of rivers in eastern Washington and am curious if this is a camp site I've used before.

 

[boy&hisdogs]

Can you be more specific? I've paddled quite a few sections of rivers in eastern Washington and am curious if this is a camp site I've used before.

Horn Rapids

 

[tketcham]

Not surprised, it's too close to town and doesn't have full-time caretakers. Jerks are everywhere unfortunately.

 

[CaptainOllieWest]

The money generated from paying campers does not equal the cost to maintain and repair the damage caused by a few scumbags.

It can be difficult to "evict" non-paying tenants. This is the county's solution; turn it in to a day use park with the ability to reserve the whole park for large groups.

 

[tketcham]

It can be difficult to "evict" non-paying tenants. This is the county's solution; turn it in to a day use park with the ability to reserve the whole park for large groups.

Turning campground parks into group rental areas is common in some places, Vermont's been doing that for a while. Helps pay the bills and it's enforceable. I guess it's good for groups and organizations but it's one less place for everybody else.