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.
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). Since the park is heavily used, mid-week is the recommended time to locate a vacant campsite. The campground is situated on a lawn with many shade trees. Most facilities are modern. All campsites are first-come, first-served.
Group Accommodations:
The park offers a group camp that accommodates 20 to 72 people. Fees vary with size of the group. To reserve, call the park office at (509) 686-7231.
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).
2010 FeesAn additional $2 per night is added to the basic camping fees listed below at this high-use park. Basic camping fees are:
Standard campsite, $19.
Full utility campsite, $26.
Partial utility campsite, $25.
Primitive campsite and water trail camping, $12
An additional $3 fee (standard) or $5 fee (utility) may be charged for select premium campsites at some parks.
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 hoursCheck-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 during the summer; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
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.
Park Winter Schedule
| Campground Closes |
| Campground Reopens |
| Day-Use Closes |
| Day-Use Reopens |
| Watercraft Launch Closes |
| Watercraft Launch Reopens | |
| 10/31/2009 |
| 4/1/2010 |
| 10/31/2009 |
| 4/1/2010 |
| 10/31/2009 |
| 4/1/2010 |
|
Winter Schedule for all Washington State Parks
Driving Directions
Located three miles northeast of Bridgeport, Wash., in the north central area of the state in Okanogan County.
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
Bridgeport downloadable pdf map #1
Bridgeport downloadable pdf map #2
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. Most fishing is by boat, as shore fishing requires a Colville Tribe fishing license (for sale at the Bridgeport hardware store) in addition to a state license. |
Boating Features
Watercraft launch reopens Feb. 20.
The park provides two boat ramps and 240 feet of dock.
A daily watercraft launching permit for $7 and a trailer dumping permit for $5 is available at the park..
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices,
online, and at parks when staff is available.
Fishing is open year round. The trout fishing is starting to pick up, depending on wind conditions.
Events
Full list of
events at Washington State Parks
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
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
