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Tieton River Canyon - Any campsites open yet?

Original Post
Khoi · · Vancouver, BC · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 45

Every time I go climbing at Tieton I like staying at the Hause Creek Campsite.

I am aware that it is not scheduled to open until May 25 as I have been to their website: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/hause-creek-campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=74018

The reason why I am asking is that it has been my experience in the past that sometimes that campsite actually "opens" earlier than the stated date.

In 2014 the Hause Creek campsite wasn't due to be open until May.  But we were interested in climbing there on our way back from Indian Creek, so we dropped by on April 25.  Fortunately for us, the couple who live in their RV and are in charge of that campsite just arrived that day and opened it!

So I am hoping that we can get the same stroke of luck again since I am planning on being there May 1 - May 3.

If anyone is driving that section of Hwy 12 I'd greatly appreciate it if you could take a quick look to see if ANY of the campsites are open yet.

THANKS!

Rory H · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2016 · Points: 15

I was out there on Friday 4/21 and the Windy Point Campground was still locked up...

Chipper Maney · · Seattle · Joined Sep 2015 · Points: 31

Plenty of free camping around Tieton. There is a public facility and bathroom right across form the Royals Columns roadside parking. Head down and climb; if the campsites aren't open, sleep in the woods.

Khoi · · Vancouver, BC · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 45

If none of the campsites are open when we get there then we will have to go the free camping route

Matt Means · · Rimrock, WA · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 32

I live in the area. All of the forest service sites are still closed but there is plenty of free camping. Snow is melted out up to the rimrock store (lava point)

Kyle Elliott · · Granite falls · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 1,718

Check with the local ranger station.  I know it's perfectly fine to use the forest service campgrounds in Icicle creek when they're closed (as long as it's a seasonal closure, and not for maintenance) but it's "pack it in, pack it out" as the trashcans are removed, and the bathrooms are locked. 

Khoi · · Vancouver, BC · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 45
Matt Means wrote:

I live in the area. All of the forest service sites are still closed but there is plenty of free camping. Snow is melted out up to the rimrock store (lava point)

Do you know if the crags at South Fork, like the Hexagonal Satellites, are climbable yet? Are the logging roads leading there still covered in snow?

Thanks for all the info and beta, everyone!

Matt Means · · Rimrock, WA · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 32

They should be good to go. Snow line is about 4000

Khoi · · Vancouver, BC · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 45
Matt Means wrote:

They should be good to go. Snow line is about 4000

GREAT! THANKS!!!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Pacific Northwest
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