Park overview:
Bridgeport State Park is a 748-acre camping park with 7,500 feet of freshwater shoreline on Rufus Woods Lake. Set directly behind Chief Joseph Dam, this lake is actually a segment of the Columbia River. The park provides 18 acres of lawn and some shade in the midst of a desert terrain. "Haystacks," unusual volcanic formations resembling their name, are the park's most striking feature.
Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page. Park hours/updates:
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Winter: Closed Oct. 31, reopens April 1
Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Winter Schedule for all Washington State Parks
Agency information:
Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.
The Discover Pass now can be used on either of two vehicles!Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass
website.
Campsite Information:
The park provides 14 tent spaces, 20 utility spaces, one dump station, two restrooms (both ADA) and two showers. Maximum site length is 45 feet (may have limited availability). The campground is situated on a lawn with many shade trees. Most facilities are modern. To make a reservation, visit
online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Group Accommodations:
The park offers a group camp that accommodates 20 to 72 people. Fees vary with size of the group. To make a reservation, visit
online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
2013 camping fees:
Please note that the following
general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not
all fees will apply to
all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).
May 15 – Sept. 15 (peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $23 non-premium site, $26 premium site
Partial-utility campsite*: $30 non-premium site, $35 premium site
Full-utility campsite*: $32 non-premium site, $37 premium site
*Please note: Camping fees during the 2013 peak season are $28 for partial-utility sites and $29 for full-utility sites at Beacon Rock, Brooks Memorial, Columbia Hills, Conconully, Lewis & Clark and Schafer state parks. These parks are first come, first served.
Jan. 1 – May 14 and Sept. 16 – Dec. 31 (off-peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $22 for non-premium and premium sites
Partial-utility campsite: $28 for non-premium and premium sites
Full-utility campsite: $29 for non-premium and premium sites
Maximum eight people per campsite.
Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.
Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.
More about park hours
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park from April 1 through Sept. 30; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the
reservation system and campsite maps.
Driving Directions
Located three miles northeast of Bridgeport, Wash., in the north central area of the state in Okanogan County.
Park address:
235A Half Sun Way
Bridgeport, WA 98813
Phone: (509) 686-7231
From Bridgeport:
Drive north on Highway 17 for .5 mile. After crossing the Columbia River, turn right at the park sign. Continue approximately two miles to park entrance.
From Wenatchee:
Drive north on Highway 97, then proceed south on Highway 17 for eight miles. Turn at the park sign and continue approximately two miles to park entrance.
Park Maps
To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the
reservation system and campsite maps.
Bridgeport downloadable pdf map #1
List of all downloadable Washington State Park
maps.
Park Features
Located behind Chief Joseph Dam, Bridgeport State Park provides lake, lawn and shade in the midst of a desert terrain. "Haystacks," unusual large volcanic formations, are the park's most unique feature. Interpretative programs are offered seasonally on many topics.
History
A park plaque honors Mr. Ralph Van Slyke who, with the most common garden tools, cut a park in the valley above Chief Joseph Dam in the early 1960s. Van Slyke was a retired employee of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The park was named for the town of Bridgeport, which from 1881 to 1889 was known as Westfield. In 1889, Mr. J. Covert, a citizen of Bridgeport, Connecticut, came west to survey a railroad route and renamed Westfield after his hometown.
The park was created as part of a cooperative agreement between Washington State Parks and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps is involved in park-building because of an operating agreement for dams which requires the corps to rebuild recreation areas.
Interpretive opportunities
Interpretive programs are provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Subjects include the operation of
Chief Joseph Dam, area wildlife, and many other topics of local interest. Programs are usually on Saturdays during the summer season.
Services/Supplies
| Available in the park | Available in the area |
• Camping
• Pay phone
• Fire wood
| • Auto repair
• Camping
• Diesel
• Fishing/hunting
• Gasoline
• Gifts
• Golf
• Groceries
• Hardware
• Hospital
• Overnight Accommodations
• Pay phone
• Postal service
• Propane
• Recreational equipment
• White gas
• Wood
• Swimming
|
Lakewoods Golf Course is located in the park. It is a 9-hole course. Phone (509) 686-5721 for rates and details.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
• 4 mi. Hiking Trails
| • Boating (freshwater)
• 2 boat ramps (freshwater)
• 240 feet of dock (freshwater)
• Fishing (freshwater)
• Personal Watercraft (freshwater)
• Swimming (freshwater)
• Water Skiing (freshwater)
| • Bird Watching
• 1 Fire Circle
• Golf
• Interpretive Activities
• Sailboarding
• Wildlife Viewing
|
The lake is abundant in rainbow trout, silvers and walleye. Fishing is open year-round. Most fishing is by boat. Shore fishing may require a Colville Tribe fishing license in addition to a state license if fishing off of state park property. Colville Tribe fishing licenses can be purchased in the cities of Bridgeport or Brewster.
A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website. |
Events
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free. The Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park on ten designated free days in 2013.
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 11 – Veteran's Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, please visit
www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Full list of
events at Washington State Parks
Boating Features
The park provides two watercraft launches and 240 feet of dock.
A daily watercraft launching permit and a trailer dumping permit are available for $5.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices,
online, and at parks when staff is available.
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
The first come, first served day-use area provides 20 unsheltered picnic tables.
Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
• Bears
• Bobcats
• Coyotes
• Deer or Elk
• Marmots
• Muskrats
• Rabbits
| • Chukars
• Crows or Ravens
• Doves or Pigeons
• Ducks
• Eagles
• Geese
• Gulls
• Hawks
• Hummingbirds
• Jays
• Ospreys
• Owls
• Pheasants
• Quail
• Swans
• Woodpeckers
• Wrens
| • Perch
• Trout
• Walleye
|
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | | Plant Life | |
| The park has some unique volcanic formations called "haystacks." These basalt structures look like
huge haystacks from a distance. | | • Ponderosa Pine
• Spruce
• Ash
• Birch
• Maple
• Oak
• Poplar
• Daisy
• Lupines
• Paintbrush
• Rose
• Poison Ivy
|
|
Park photo gallery
