Comment on the proposal to ban camping at Ancient Lakes

Steep cliffs, dramatic views and multiple lakes within a short hike from the trailhead are all part of what makes the Ancient Lakes area near the Columbia River a popular destination for hikers and backpackers. Ancient Lakes and nearby Dusty Lake (also referred to by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as Babcock Bench) are particularly attractive for hiking, biking and backpacking in the spring and early summer, when many other camping destinations are covered in snow.

Due to concerns about sanitation and campfires, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has proposed closing Central Washington’s Ancient Lakes area to camping. Photo by Stephen Pryor.
 
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), which manages the public lands surrounding Ancient Lakes as part of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area, has concerns about visitor impacts to the landscape — specifically sanitation issues caused by poor disposal of human waste and visitors burning vegetation including sagebrush in campfires.

Due to these concerns, WDFW staff have proposed closing the area to camping starting on January 1, 2027.

COMMENT NOW ABOUT ANCIENT LAKES (BABCOCK BENCH)

This is a major change in management approach. Currently, WDFW has no designated campgrounds or campground facilities, but the agency allows largely unregulated dispersed camping throughout the greater Ancient Lakes and Quincy Lakes areas. Campfires are currently allowed from October 1 to April 30.

Washington Trails Association recently met with WDFW’s Manager of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area and discussed natural resource impacts, the importance of the area to backpackers and the proposed camping closure.

WTA suggests alternatives to protect the landscape, keep area open to backpacking

Washington Trails Association wants to see our state lands protected and well managed. When people have important personal experiences — like their first backpacking trip — on a landscape, they are far more likely to speak up and protect that place. People from across the state value the recreational opportunities that WDFW’s lands provide.

While anyone who has hiked and backpacked into Ancient Lakes knows that the area could use additional protections from the irresponsible actions of some visitors, closing Ancient Lakes entirely to backcountry camping would cut off an iconic experience in our state.

Ancient Lakes is a great destination for youth and adults new to backpacking. Photo by Sarah MacGillivray.

Ancient Lakes is beloved as an entry-level backpacking trip in our high desert shrub steppe, where you can hear coyotes and the desert wren song echoing off the columnar basalt while you sip coffee under wide-open spring skies.

WTA agrees that there are significant natural resource impact issues in the Ancient Lakes Basin. We are committed to continuing to work with WDFW to help visitors understand how to reduce the impacts from their visits and work with the agency on solutions that can protect the landscape and keep the area open to backpacking.

Instead of a camping ban, WTA proposes some alternative management actions including: 

• Prohibiting campfires year round
• Providing primitive backcountry toilets to reduce sanitation problems
• Restricting camping to designated camping areas/sites
• Trailhead ambassadors/educators at high use times (i.e. spring) to inform the public about proper camping etiquette

To ensure that the hiking community and others who camp in Ancient Lakes basin have ample opportunity to voice their opinions, WTA has requested that WDFW extend their public comment period. We also asked WDFW to host at least one public meeting to discuss the potential camping ban. In response, WDFW has committed to hosting a public meeting for this fall (date TBD).

What should change at Ancient Lakes? Comment now with your experiences and ideas

Ancient Lakes provides a unique experience for backpackers in our state that is at risk of being lost. Have you backpacked at Ancient Lakes? Would you like to backpack here in the future? WDFW needs to hear from you about Ancient Lakes (Babcock Bench).

Please consider sharing why the area is important to you, ask for a public meeting about the area and offer ideas on how WDFW can protect natural resources while continuing to allow backpacking.

Recent trip reports at Ancient and Dusty Lakes:

• "Trail was amazing. It was my first backpacking trip ever. It was the perfect trail for a beginner, easy trail, beautiful, and not too windy at night" - June 14, 2026
• "Such a short, flat hike to the campsite it felt like cheating. Heard Coyotes at dusk and that was incredible." - May 21, 2026
• "I backpacked through this area with a large group of scouts and adult leaders. We got to the Dusty Lake trailhead late on Friday night, made the short but steep hike down to Dusty in the dark, and camped there. The next morning, we backpacked over to the Ancient Lakes area and camped in the field between the three lakes." - April 25, 2025