Hood Park is almost 100 acres of tall shade trees on the banks of Lake Wallula, as the Snake River is known at that location. A mile or two downstream, the Snake merges with the Columbia River at Sacajawea State Park.
Burbank Park Offers Tent, RV Campsites
The park is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers out of their Ice Harbor Dam office. Hood Park has plenty of room for campers. It has 46 sites for tents and RVs. The sites have paved pads and electric hook-ups. The sites also come equipped with fire pits/grills and picnic tables. Many of the sites are pull-throughs, which is especially nice for recreational vehicles, while campers must back in to use the other sites. Two of the sites are handicapped accessible, the corps says.
The park also has another 21 campsites located along the shoreline.
If both these areas fill up, the park has another 15 sites located across from the day-use area for primitive camping. However, there’s no shade, no electrical hook-ups and no water close by. Campers can use the restroom facilities, which include showers, in the campground.
Campers who don’t want to take a chance on missing a shady spot can reserve their site of choice through the U.S. government’s campground reservation system.
Hood Park Has Facilities For Day-Use, Too
Restrooms are located throughout the park. Playground equipment for kids can be found in several places. If the shade trees don’t keep you cool enough, you can dive into the Snake, but watch out for fishermen. While the park has two fishing ponds, many people choose to fish from the river banks. Hood Park also has a boat launch, which is open year ‘round.
The day use area also has a large shelter which can be reserved for groups.
What to See in the Area
Hood Park is adjacent to the McNary Wildlife Refuge where you can hike the nature trails in search of bald eagles, birds and other wild animals.
Also nearby is Sacajawea State Park where the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped to and from their exploration trip to the Pacific Ocean. The park has a small quality museum on Sacajawea, the expedition and Northwest Indian tribes. Picnic tables and a boat dock are available.
If you run out of fresh veggies and fruits, a trip to the Pasco Farmers Market may be called for. The market, one of the largest in Eastern Washington, is open Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
How to Find Hood Park
Hook Park is located at 592 Camp Circle in Burbank, three miles south of Pasco on Highway 12. Take the first left after you cross the Snake River Bridge. The campground is open from May 1 through September 30, but day use facilities are open year ‘round.
Cheryl Probst - Cheryl Probst is an award-winning photojournalist who specializes in writing about motorcycles, China and the Pacific Northwest.
