The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG- Labor Day is just around the corner. With harvest still in full swing, many families may be skipping that usual weeklong vacation in search for a quick getaway to rejuvenate the soul before school and seeding begins.

Right in our own back yard is a little piece of paradise that my best friend and I rediscovered while looking for a place to take a dip in the Touchet River.

Our usual spot by the train trestle along Highway 12 near Huntsville was occupied that day, so we decided to take a look at Lewis and Clark Trail State Park.

Neither one of us had been to the overnight camp ground on the north side of the highway in years and we were pleasantly surprised by what we found.

Just four miles from home were clean, well-kept camp sites each with a fire pit and picnic table. There were bathroom facilities with coinop showers and an RV dump station.

We found many trails that wound along the river and gave the little ones plenty of exploration time. There is a three-quarter mile designated bird watching trail and a mile-long interpretive trail.

The water level was adequate enough to throw a tube in the river and float down the distance of the park with a swimming hole about half way through. Once getting to shore, it took no time to jump on the trail and head up the river for another run.

Rarely full, the public camp ground at the Lewis & Clark Trail State Park offers a quick inexpensive and friendlyto kids getaway for local families who can't venture too far from home.

After a day in the sun here, we had found a new favorite spot and returned two more times that week.

In our visits we startled a muskrat that was taking an evening dip, interrupted a snake's sushi lunch and found two private group camp sites with lush green grass and a restroom.

There are 34 camp sites that can accommodate RVs up to 28 feet, but there are no hook ups. Overnight camping fees are $22 per night, reservations are not needed. The park is open year round with limited facilities in the winter. The park is located four miles east of Waitsburg and five miles west of Dayton.

With gas prices eating away at the pocket book and crazy work schedules that life throws your way, this is a great spot for a quick retreat that won't break your bank.

Throw the tent and your hot dog/ marsh mellow roasting sticks in the car after a day of work and take a five-minute drive to a little slice of outdoor fun.