Yakima County, WA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Who sets hours
- Yakima County parks director
- How posted
- At park entrance and park office
- Camping exception
- Paid use fee in designated camping area
- Maximum penalty
- $1,000 fine or 90 days jail
- Immediate consequence
- Ejection from the park area
Summary
Yakima County parks close on hours the parks director sets and posts at each park's entrance and office, and those hours can change by season. Code Section 11.04.030 makes it unlawful to enter or remain in a county park after closing, with narrow exceptions for paid campers and people with a valid facility reservation.
The director shall establish for each Yakima County park area according to existing conditions, times and periods when the park area will be open or closed to the public. Such times and periods shall be posted at the entrance to the Yakima county park area affected and at the park office. Park hours are subject to current conditions and may vary by season. Park front gates and offices may be open during normal business hours but the park area may be closed to public use when so posted. No person shall enter or be present at a Yakima County park area after closing time, or when the park area is closed, except persons camping in a designated camping area who have paid the applicable use fee; or persons who have a reservation or are associated with the person or persons having a reservation at a department facility.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4871853; v6 updated 2026-04-21; through 04-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
030 of the Yakima County Code gives the parks director authority to set opening and closing times for each county park area individually, based on existing conditions, rather than fixing one countywide curfew hour. Those hours must be posted at the entrance to the affected park and at the park office, and the code warns that they are subject to current conditions and may vary by season, so a park's summer hours can differ from its winter schedule. The section also draws a distinction between the park's gates and office, which may stay open during normal business hours, and the recreation area itself, which can be closed to public use even while the office is staffed.
Once posted as closed or once closing time passes, no person shall enter or be present in that park area. 040. 570, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or up to 90 days in jail, or both, and the code separately authorizes immediate ejection from the park for any violation, enforced by the parks director, parks department employees, and other law enforcement officers.
Violations & Fines
Entering or remaining in a Yakima County park area after posted closing time, without a paid camping reservation or a facility reservation, is a misdemeanor under Section 11.04.570: a fine of up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both. Violators are also subject to immediate ejection from the park, enforced by the parks director, parks department staff, or law enforcement officers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Yakima County parks close?
Can I stay in a Yakima County park after closing if I'm camping?
What happens if I'm caught in a county park after it's closed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima County
Compare Yakima County to another location·View the Washington curfew laws overview
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