Hood Park
Burbank, Washington · on Snake River · Hood Park
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $30
- SEASON
- May
About Hood Park
Hood Park is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers day-use and campground area in Burbank, Washington, sitting on the bank of the Snake River near its confluence with the Columbia River (backed up as part of Lake Wallula behind McNary Lock and Dam). For anyone after a river to swim in near Burbank, the park's designated swimming beach is a developed swimming hole alongside its campground, boat ramp, and picnic facilities.
The park occupies a stretch of riverbank at the Snake River's meeting point with the Columbia River in the arid Tri-Cities area of southeastern Washington, with mature trees providing shade over the campground and day-use areas and open water views across the reservoir-like Lake Wallula.
Swimming at Hood Park
Swimming takes place at a roped-off designated beach adjacent to the day-use area, suited to families and campers rather than open-water swimmers; one camper review noted algae buildup outside the marked swim zone, and the water here is slack-water reservoir/river rather than fast-moving current.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike is needed to reach the swim beach; it sits directly next to the campground/day-use parking. Short optional nature/walking trails exist on-site and in the adjacent McNary National Wildlife Refuge (a loop around a pond behind the campground, per thedyrt.com and campendium.com), but these are recreational add-ons, not the access route to the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Designated, roped-off swim beach in slack reservoir water (Lake Wallula/McNary Pool) next to the campground is set up for families, with a playground alongside, but no lifeguard presence is documented anywhere in sourced material and one camper review notes algae building up outside the marked swim zone; campground rules require an adult present for anyone 17 or under. Treat as good for kids with normal adult supervision rather than a lifeguarded beach.
Parking
Lot
Park is a US Army Corps of Engineers campground/day-use area with paved sites and a day-use group picnic shelter; visitors park at their campsite or in the day-use lot next to the swim beach. Nightly campsite rates run roughly $30-$110 depending on site type/day (Recreation.gov), but no separate day-use parking fee for swimming-only visits was found in any sourced page.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets and free showers serve the campground/day-use area (thedyrt.com, campendium). One camper review on Campendium cautioned the facilities can feel undersized for demand: "only 1 large restroom that has about 4 or 5 toilet stalls and 2 showers to serve 69 sites," with one shower reported as low-pressure.
Hours
Seasonal facility, open roughly mid-May through early September (thedyrt.com); quiet hours / gate closure 10 PM-6 AM, campground check-in 2 PM / check-out 12 PM (Recreation.gov).
On the water
A boat ramp is on-site for guests (Recreation.gov, thedyrt.com, campendium.com), and the park sits on Lake Wallula, a Columbia/Snake River reservoir that supports both motorized and human-powered boating generally. No source documented specific wake, speed, or no-motor restrictions for this location, and paddleboards were not explicitly mentioned in any Hood Park-specific source, so they are left off the confirmed list.
Rentals nearby
Sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks, tandem kayaks, 2- and 3-person canoes, paddleboards (including a giant paddleboard), pedal boats, and swan boats
Prices: Hourly rates roughly $24-$45 (2-hour minimum); all-day (8-hour) rentals roughly $76-$190 depending on vessel
Based at 2699 Columbia Center Blvd, Richland, WA (~15-20 miles from Hood Park). Free delivery to the Bateman Island boat launch at Wye Park for 2-hour rentals; all-day rentals include free delivery to any boat launch within the Tri-Cities, which could plausibly include Hood Park's own ramp, though that specific delivery point is not confirmed on their site. · Latest launch time 6 PM; early-morning launches available with 1+ day advance booking
Kayaks and paddleboards
69 Lee Blvd, Richland, WA (located within a riverfront park, ~15-20 miles from Hood Park)
Stand-up paddleboard instruction, guided SUP tours (including on the nearby Hanford Reach section of the Columbia), private coaching, and SUP yoga; functions more as an instruction/tour outfitter than straight equipment rental
Serves Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and West Richland, WA (Tri-Cities area, roughly 10-20 miles from Hood Park); no fixed street address published
What regulars say
Campers offer candid details: restroom capacity feels tight for a 69-site campground ("only 1 large restroom that has about 4 or 5 toilet stalls and 2 showers," with one shower running low pressure); the park gets "full of families and large groups" on holiday weekends like Memorial Day but sites stay well spaced; campers like being able to watch river and barge traffic go by, including an occasional cruise ship on the Snake/Columbia; and nighttime noise from barge and highway traffic plus spider presence at tree-covered sites were flagged as minor annoyances.
Hood Park: FAQ
Does Hood Park charge a fee?
Recreation.gov lists nightly campsite rates of roughly $30-$110 depending on site type and day; day-use/swim-beach fee not separately confirmed.
Is Hood Park kid friendly?
Designated, roped-off swim beach in slack reservoir water (Lake Wallula/McNary Pool) next to the campground is set up for families, with a playground alongside, but no lifeguard presence is documented anywhere in sourced material and one camper review notes algae building up outside the marked swim zone; campground rules require an adult present for anyone 17 or under. Treat as good for kids with normal adult supervision rather than a lifeguarded beach.
Do I need to hike to reach Hood Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Hood Park?
Park is a US Army Corps of Engineers campground/day-use area with paved sites and a day-use group picnic shelter; visitors park at their campsite or in the day-use lot next to the swim beach. Nightly campsite rates run roughly $30-$110 depending on site type/day (Recreation.gov), but no separate day-use parking fee for swimming-only visits was found in any sourced page.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Hood Park?
A boat ramp is on-site for guests (Recreation.gov, thedyrt.com, campendium.com), and the park sits on Lake Wallula, a Columbia/Snake River reservoir that supports both motorized and human-powered boating generally. No source documented specific wake, speed, or no-motor restrictions for this location, and paddleboards were not explicitly mentioned in any Hood Park-specific source, so they are left off the confirmed list.
When is the best time to visit Hood Park?
Campground and facilities operate mid-May through early September, which corresponds to the main swimming season.
What are the rules at Hood Park?
No alcoholic beverages; pets must be leashed at all times (6 ft leash); no dog runs; campfires prohibited unless permitted (wood-burning fire ban in effect per current alert, though charcoal/gas grills allowed in designated areas); quiet hours 10 PM-6 AM; check-in 2 PM / check-out 12 PM; adult supervision required for campers under 18.
What water body is Hood Park on?
Hood Park is on Snake River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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