ARIEL, Wash. — Online reservations will be accepted beginning at 9 a.m. Sunday for Cresap Bay and Cougar campgrounds, plus a portion of Beaver Bay campground.
All three camps are operated by PacifiCorp along the North Fork of the Lewis River.
To register, go online to www.lr-reservations.com.
Reservations for Swift Forest Camp will be available beginning at 9 a.m. March 9.
The camping season for Cresap Bay is May 22 though Sept. 30. The season for Beaver Bay is April 24 though Sept. 30. Cougar will be open May 22 though Sept. 7, while Swift is open May 22 though mid-November. Camping spots at Swift are on a first-come basis beginning Oct. 1.
A toll-free reservation line at 1-855-414-0004 also will begin operation at 9 a.m. Sunday for Cresap Bay, Cougar and Beaver Bay and 9 a.m. March 9 for Swift. This line will be operated on a call-back basis and it may be several days before a reservation agent returns the call.
A $5 fee will be charged for all campground reservations, changes and cancellations. Credit card payment is now accepted so reservations can be confirmed immediately.
Individuals will be limited to four reservations in 2015.
Sites at Cresap Bay, Cougar and Beaver Bay now cost $21 per night, an increase of $1 per night. Swift Forest Camp sites cost $18 per night, up $1.
Group camping can be reserved at Cresap, Cougar and Beaver Bay for $315 per night.
A $3 parking fee will be charged on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from May 22 through Sept. 15 at day-use parks except Merwin Park, where the fee is always $1.
Season day-use passes cost $20 and may be bought at the Woodland Information Center or at the fee booths when staffed. They no longer are available by mail.
PacifiCorp operates a variety of campgrounds and parks along the North Fork of the Lewis River as part of its federal license for Merwin, Yale and Swift dams.
Facilities include 304 campsites, 268 picnic sites, boat ramps, beaches and more.
Almost 500,000 visitors use the parks and facilities annually.
No alcohol or cannabis is allowed at PacifiCorp’s parks, said Jessica Kimmick, recreation manager.
