Hiker Headlines: Get Outdoors, Federal Wins, Umtanum Bridge, Free Campsites, Artist Point

It’s June 10. This Saturday is National Get Outdoors Day. WTA leaders joined Rep. Kim Schrier to promote the Legacy Roads and Trails Act in Congress. The Umtanum bridge has reopened after extensive repairs to the structure. Eddie Bauer is giving away 1,000 campsites at state parks in Washington and Oregon. Work has begun to clear the road to Artist Point. Here’s some news you may have missed while out on trail this week. 

The Ranger Hole Trail in Olympic National Forest is just one of the thousands of places to go celebrate National Get Outdoors Day this weekend. Photo by Rayan.

National Get Outdoors Day: This Saturday, June 12, is National Get Outdoors Day. Parking fees will be waived for day-use areas managed by Washington State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service.

Federal news spotlight: WTA leaders joined Representative Kim Schrier to promote the Legacy Roads and Trails Act. The act would authorize the program through 2030 to address deferred maintenance, road repairs and trail relocations. In other federal news, the National Park Service announced that, “visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2020 resulted in a $28.6 billion benefit to the nation’s economy and supported 234,000 jobs.” And, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland designated 10 new trails as national recreation trails.

Umtanum bridge reopened: Hikers can once again return to Umtanum Creek Canyon. After extensive repairs to the Umtanum bridge over the Yakima River, this popular recreation area has reopened.

Campsite giveaway: In celebration of Sleep Under the Stars Night on August 7, Eddie Bauer is giving away 1,000 free campsites in state parks across Washington and Oregon. The giveaway is intended to remove a barrier for those who face obstacles getting outside. Campsites will be given away on a first come, first served basis.

Artist Point road update: Crews have started clearing snow from the final stretch of the Mount Baker Highway, but it’s not the snow that will delay the road opening. A damaged rock retaining wall on the road above Heather Meadows will have to be repaired first. The highway remains closed at milepost 54.7.

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