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Camp Wooten Retreat Center
A camp with a colorful past, Washington State Parks’ largest retreat center, Camp Wooten, sits in the Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington along the threadlike Tucannon River.
Columbia County’s former sherriff, one of the first state game protectors, William T. Wooten, worked in law enforcement and wildlife protection for nearly 50 years. One of Wooten’s greatest legacies may be the preservation of Chinook salmon runs in the Tucannon River. The so-named W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area honors his efforts on behalf of local wildlife and habitat. The Wildlife Area, which encompasses Camp Wooten, was named for Wooten after his death in 1948.
In 1935, a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp known as Camp Pomeroy, was established at the present-day site of Camp Wooten. After the CCC era and throughout World War II, the camp was a popular site for Methodist youth camps and local 4-H clubs. In 1950, the property was leased to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission by the Department of Game (now the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife) for use as an environmental learning center.
Today’s Camp Wooten retains the feel of both a game range and a CCC-era camp; it offers a dining hall with large commercial kitchen, a recreation hall, sleeping cabins, restrooms with showers, a lake for canoeing, an archery range, a mixed-use sports court with loaner nets and an indoor swimming pool. There are sleeping accommodations for up to 200 people, and with park manager approval, tents and RVs may be allowed.
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Mess Hall Exterior
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Dining area
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Cooler and Ovens
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Coolers
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Stovetop and Ovens
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Kitchen Prep area and Sinks
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Prep area
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Pool Building and Kitchen Shelter
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Kitchen Shelter and BBQ
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Pool Interior
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Recreation Building
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Rec hall Interior
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Activity field set up for games
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Activity Field with Rec Hall
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Ballfield
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Cabin area
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Moose in Donnie Lake
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Surroundings
Features
- Large fully equipped commercial kitchen
- Freezers and walk in cooler
- Dining hall with tables and chairs
- Large outdoor BBQ
- Recreation hall with fireplace
- Indoor heated swimming pool (operational mid-April to Oct. 15)
- Restrooms with showers
- Several outdoor covered shelters
- 17 cabins sleeps 11 guests
- Three cabins sleep 6 guests
- One cabin sleeps 4 guests
- One electric, water and sewer RV/trailer site
- ADA accessible
Activities
- Swimming (visitors must supply a certified lifeguard)
- Archery (must have an approved archery permit)
- Canoeing
- Hiking
- Tennis court
- Basketball court
- Softball field
- Single beds with mattresses
- Tables and chairs
- Kitchen cooking supplies
- Kitchen utensils
- Dishes and silverware
- Cleaning supplies
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- Canoes and paddles
- Life vests
- Bedding, sleeping bags or pillows
- Kitchen or bathroom linens
- First-aid equipment
- Dishwashing supplies
- Recreational equipment
RULES
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Application and use permit – A use permit is required for use of any retreat center facility. A reservation request is made by completing the reservation request form and emailing it to reservation staff at Retreat.Centers@parks.wa.gov. Requests will no longer be accepted by phone. Reservations may be requested one year in advance of arrival date.
Application must be signed and initialed by the user group representative and returned with the deposit within 14 days of booking. The reservation is not confirmed until the approved use permit is returned to the user group. Approved use permits are non transferable. The use permit is revocable for failure to adhere to all rules, regulations and standards.
Alcohol – A permit is required for any alcohol consumption at a retreat center. Permits may be obtained through the retreat center reservation office and are free of charge. Application must be completed and mailed to the park at least 15 days prior to arrival. For an alcohol permit, the event may not be open to the public and liquor may not be sold. See additional rules included on the alcohol permit. The alcohol permit is revocable for failure to adhere to all Rules, Regulations, and Standards.
Archery – Four retreat centers may permit archery if requested: Camp Moran, Cornet Bay, Camp Wooten and Puffer Butte. Archery permits may be obtained through the retreat center reservation office and are free of charge, however do require an insurance binder with reference to the specific activity. Application must be completed and mailed to the park with the insurance binder at least 15 days prior to arrival. The archery permit is revocable for failure to adhere to all rules, regulations and standards.
Arrival & departure times – The arrival time shown on the reservation is your official scheduled arrival time. Any changes to arrival and departure times and/or dates must be approved in advance by calling (360) 902 8600. Additional charges may apply. Any changes made without prior approval are not guaranteed. If you anticipate being more than one hour later than your specified time, you must contact the park directly to arrange for a later check-in time. Failure to do so will result in a $50 fee. The entire group and all personal items must be ready to go at the departure time specified on the front of the form unless alternate times have been arranged with park staff. Failure to do so may result in additional fees.
Cleanliness – User group shall maintain the facility in a neat, orderly and sanitary condition at all times. Before check out, the user group shall clean the facility according to check-out instructions from park staff. Cleaning will include sweeping/mopping floors; oven, refrigerator, freezer and microwave will be clear of all dishes and wiped clean; all dishes, pots, pans, etc. must be washed, dried and put away; tables wiped off and put away; chairs stacked; all garbage/recycle shall be put in its appropriate place. The group’s designated representative is responsible for confirming with park staff regarding cleaning and check-out procedures.
Daily attendance – As directed by park staff, the group’s designated representative shall record daily attendance by users, including motorhomes, tent or day use users. User group may have less than the minimum, however minimum fees still apply.
Damage/liability/accidents – User group is liable for damage to or loss of State Park property occurring as a result of use that is in excess of normal wear and tear. The users shall not alter or damage the facility and may not damage any natural feature of the facility, including trees, shrubs or flowers. The group’s designated representative shall advise the park staff immediately of any injury to any user and any damage to any part of the facility.
Discover Pass – A Discover Pass is not required for overnight users. Groups reserving for the day or day use only users must have and display a valid Discover Pass in each vehicle. Single day passes can be purchased at the park.
Health and safety standards - User group shall comply with all applicable health and safety standards.
Electrical appliances – Except with permission of the park manager, electric appliances, other than those provided, are prohibited.
Facility use – User group may not exceed the rated occupancy capacities of the facility without prior approval of park manager, subject to limitations imposed by park manager. Park staff may restrict the use of buildings or areas within the facility when necessary to protect the health or safety of the user group.
Group representative – The user group shall have a designated representative at the facility at all times during the group’s use; such designated representative is responsible for the activities of the group.
Kitchen use – Retreat centers include a full-service kitchen, including generally everything necessary to prepare and serve meals. We do not offer catering services, however, groups may hire a catering service that may use the kitchen facility.
Motor vehicles – Except with permission of the park manager, motor vehicles may be driven only in authorized areas and parked only in designated parking areas.
Outdoor fires – Outdoor fires are permitted only in designated areas, provided no burn restrictions are in effect. Fires may not be left unattended.
Payments – A deposit is required within 14 days of booking to approve the reservation. The deposit includes a non-refundable reservation fee. The deposit will be applied to your final invoice and the remaining balance for use is due at check out. Payment is accepted in cash, check, money order, purchase order or credit card. State Parks accepts Visa and Mastercard only. No new reservations will be approved until all previous outstanding balances for previous use have been paid in full.
Personal items – Washington State Parks is not responsible for any personal items left at the facility. Please label all personal items (knives, recreational equipment, pots, pans, etc.) so as not to get them confused with park property.
Pets – Pets are allowed at retreat center facilities, with the following rules. All pets must be kept under physical control, on a leash no greater than 8 feet in length, or otherwise physically restrained, at all times while in a state park area. User group shall clean up after their pets and properly dispose of pet waste. Except with permission of the park manager, pets are not allowed in the buildings at the facility. Service animals are permitted. No pets are allowed at Millersylvania or Lewis & Clark retreat centers.
Quiet hours – Quiet times are between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. Except with permission of the park manager, no person shall use sound-emitting equipment at a volume which emits sound beyond the immediate area of use at any time.
Restrictions – No smoking, firearms or fireworks are permitted at the facility.
RVs & tents – Self-contained recreational vehicles and/or tents are allowed with permission of the park manager, subject to limitations imposed by park manager. Individuals staying in tents or RVs will be charged the standard overnight rate.
Sale of goods – Sale of goods, food or merchandise is not allowed under the use permit. A separate Commercial Use Permit is required. For more information, visit the permits page or call (360) 902-8593.
2023 RATES
Overnight rates are $15.76 per person, per night plus tax. Day users (non-overnight guests) are charged at $5.10 per person, per day plus tax.
2024 RATES
Overnight rates are $16.23 per person, per night plus tax. Day users (non-overnight guests) are charged at $5.25 per person, per day plus tax.
MINIMUMS & MAXIMUMS
April 1 – October 31:
Minimum is 75 persons, maximum 200 persons
Facility is closed November 1 – March 31.
You may have less than the minimum amount of people, however, minimum fee still applies.
Tents and RVs may be used by group, increasing maximum sleeping capacity to 250 persons. With manager approval and additional coordination, guests in excess of 250 may be allowed. Larger groups will be required to rotate through the dining hall for meals as seating capacity for the dining hall is 200.
For all facilities, there is a two night stay minimum on weekends year round and on all nights from May 1 through Sept. 30.
RESERVATION DEPOSIT
A deposit equal to the first night stay at the minimum occupancy is due within 20 days of booking the reservation. Failure to pay the full deposit within 20 days may result in cancellation of the reservation without further notice.
CANCELLATION
Cancellation must be made 120 days or more in advance of arrival to receive a refund. Refund will be the deposit, less the non-refundable reservation fee and cancellation fee.
User groups canceling less than 120 days prior to arrival will forfeit their entire deposit. User groups that reserve less than 120 days prior to arrival are not entitled to a refund should they cancel.
FINAL BALANCE
Your final invoice will be calculated by park staff based on reported attendance, any fees or additional facilities, and costs assessed for damage or loss. This balance is due at the end of your stay.
Park maps
Weather forecast
Contact Us
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Camp Wooten
2711 Tucannon Road
Pomeroy, WA 99347To schedule a facility tour:
Phone: (509) 843-5091To reach a group at
Camp Wooten:
Phone: (509) 843-3708Camp Wooten is open April 1 through Oct. 31.
To make a retreat center reservation:
Obtain form at
https://parks.state.wa.us/360/Retreat-centers
Email completed form to
Retreat.Centers@parks.wa.govQuestions:
Email: Retreat.Centers@parks.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 902-8600