Roosevelt Camps Open

National recreation areas

Campgrounds are open at the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, but you might need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to use the boat ramps.

Boat launching costs $6 a day at the lake or $30 for a season permit if you pay by Wednesday. The fee goes to $30 on Thursday.

Launching a boat, however, is likely to be difficult until the end of May, officials say.

To make room for anticipated runoff, the water level has been drawn down below the reach of any boat ramps on the lake. The Bureau of Reclamation’s latest forecast is for the water level to reach 1,223 feet by May 15 and 1,240 feet around May 31.

The Keller Ferry boat ramp reaches to the lowest of the 20 ramps on the lake at 1,229 feet. However, boaters using four-wheel drives have been able to launch boats below the reach of ramps at some areas, such as Seven Bays.

Summer camping fees of $10 a site begin May 1. For a season boat launch permit, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope with a check payable to the National Park Service to NPS, 1008 Crest Dr., Coulee Dam, WA 99116, ATTN: Boat Launch Permit.

Seniors get a 50 percent discount by including their Golden Age or Golden Access card numbers.

, DataTimes