MOSES LAKE — Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Natural Resources announced overnight camping across state public land will begin to reopen on Monday.

Twenty-two counties in the state, all currently in Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan, have been approved for camping by county officials.

Anna Gill, communications director for the state parks, said the agency has been looking toward this milestone since camping first closed.

“Part of our mission is to support outdoor recreation for the state, and that’s a big part of it,” Gill said. “We’re also very financially dependent on these services as well. Eighty percent of our budget is funded by earned revenue, and that comes through day passes and camping.”

Cabins, yurts, other overnight accommodations and group campsites will remain closed until further notice. Visitors with reservations at those sites not yet reopened will receive a full refund for their trip.

Other visitors looking to camp are advised to make reservations to ensure they get a spot and limit interaction with park staff, according to a joint statement from state public land managers.

Gill said reopening has presented a mixed bag of challenges, many of them the same challenges that come with reopening any parks system, just with the added new protocols and procedures to manage the pandemic.

With the closures, Gill said they were forced to let 60 non-permanent employees go a little more than a month ago, many of them summer helpers.

“We’re kind of in the process of hiring back some of that additional support that we need,” Gill said. “We’re working under our normal staffing levels right now, but we’re getting there.”

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said some primitive and dispersed camping sites at wildlife areas will reopen in approved counties. These campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis, with campers encouraged to bring their own supplies, packing out what they bring in as always.

The Department of Natural Resources said DNR-operated campsites will be reopened on a rolling basis, dependent on location of the site and how much maintenance is needed there.

DNR lands are also first-come, first-served. Visitors are encouraged to make sure their desired site is open before heading out and to have backup options.

The DNR also reminded visitors of the importance of preventing wildfires; if it’s too hot to touch, then it’s too hot to leave. Dispersed camping fires are not allowed, with a reminder to only use DNR-approved “fire rings” in campgrounds.

For information on parks open for camping, visit each agency’s website for a complete list.