Drag boats to race at Haystack Reservoir

Haystack Reservoir, located about ten miles south of Madras on the Crooked River National Grassland, will be the site of a Columbia Drag Boat Association race event Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9.

The event, which is open to the public, will limit general public access to boating activities on the reservoir and will close camping to general public in most of the area.

During the race event, boat launches on the west and east shores will be closed from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (September 8 -9). Use of the boat launch on the west shore will also be limited on Friday, September 7, from 12:00 p.m., until 6:00 a.m. on Monday, September 10, for setup and take down of the event. The boat launch on the east shore, at the Forest Service campground, will be open on Friday and Monday.

In addition to the boating restrictions, camping will not be allowed on the West Shore Campground and South Shore Group Sites of Haystack Reservoir from 6:00 a.m. Friday, September 7 until 12:00 p.m. Monday, September 10.

However, camping at the Haystack Campground on the east shore will be allowed throughout the event. Camping fees at Haystack Campground are $13 per night and day use fees are $5 per day. Access to areas along the south and west shores will be restricted during the race event.

Spectators may view the races, for a fee, from designated areas on the south and west shores. Parking for race spectators is being provided on private land near the south shore, for a fee. Food vendors will be available on the west shore during the event.

For more information about the drag boat races at Haystack Reservoir, please contact the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation at (541) 389-6541.

For information about recreation activities at Haystack Reservoir, please contact the Crooked River National Grassland at (541) 475-9272.