Nisqually River Public Access — Attraction in Washington

I used to LOVE Nisqually area after growin up here for decades. But recently it seems all anyone gives a S about anymore is financial gain. Especially when it comes to our own local neighborhood parks n things. You all have literally paywalled everything! You all claim u want to encourage our kids to go outside & play & enjoy the world around us & yet you've slapped an entrance fee now on our local parks & OUR own river?! We can't go anywhere now to actually see the river that's free or just sit & watch it like we could. Whoever put it here for ALL of us to enjoy did NOT have this in mind cuz it's insane!! First, Riverbend Campground changed ownership & began blocking access to OUR river unless we paid some ridiculous amt for day passes. But they operate that poor campground like some prison camp to the point of chasing paid customers down on golf carts accusing them of not paying when ppl have. It also costs 4x as much to "camp" there then it did 5 or 10 yrs ago. Nm the constant harassment the actual Native Americans from the local Nisqually Tribe must endure just to go fishing on THEIR river by this campground since their road access happens to go thru same gate campground customers gotta go thru. Just the other day, they accused an Elder of "not being Native American" so he was refused access tryin to fish on one of the very LIMITED # days they're even "allowed" to fish in the 1st place!! What is wrong with people?!! We have all been saying for a long time now that we want our kids to be outdoors more & enjoying world around us instead of havin their heads down on their phones, or worse becoming troublemakers resulting in more crime. But where exactly are they supposed to go to do this so-called "enjoying"? The park?! There is NO park that doesn't charge for that "enjoyment" anymore! You all have staked claim over every piece of land including every place possible to actually go down to OUR river & enjoy it anymore! And it's wrong! Not to mention, you all claim to want to help the youth & encourage kids to go outside & play but in ur greediness u have actually encouraged the very opposite to which u say u want. If kids don't have anywhere to go or to play, what the hell do u think is going to happen?! No one incl me btw can afford to spend close to $100 just to ride a bike with them down to the river! R u outta ur minds?! But I won't sit n listen to these same ppl blame the youth or bad parenting when it's greed! But charging the local people living here to have ANY accees to their river or their river banks or charging ppl to enjoy a day outside with our kids is criminal! But even when we have tried to go out down to the river like we have enjoyed so many years to now being harassed & chased by some golf cart Nazi or stopped by police & harassed for not buying a stupid Discovery Pass, what the hell is wrong with u all?! Since when did our local neighborhoods become the sole focus of monetary gain?? Nm that money ur earning will never be put back into the very neighborhood it happens to be sitting in. And the monies u all do choose to spend on actual neighborhoods like the recent cosmetic upgrades to the Nisqually Public Fishing area (6th Ave) look pretty great & all. But someone shoulda probly told whoever was in charge that our river actually floods regularly like every 5 yrs or so in that EXACT loc so enjoy it while it lasts cuz it'll be gone soon. But why do it?! It was beautiful on its own had u all just maintained what was there to start with regularly. And when I say maintained, I do not mean have a Sheriff's Deputy swing thru to harass anyone like the kids who are trying to be outside more at the advice of those bad parents. It's impossible to be happy here when everyone has taken the ability to enjoy anything outside away from us & slapped paywalls on everything now! Reminds of Googles Play Store. I won't sit n listen to u all blame the rising crime on the youth or bad parenting when u refuse to take a look at yourselves & the damage u r causing by bein greedy! U can't afford to play...

Upon reading some of the other reviews that say this is a good spot for swimming or jumping from a tire swing. THIS IS NOT A SPOT TO GO SWIMMING IT IS DANGEROUS TO ATTEMPT SWIMMING IN THIS PORTION OF THE RIVER there has been plenty of life taken by this river from those who have attempted it and boating is no exception unless you are experienced and have the right equipment in this portion of the nisqually. A lot of the postings have been outdated even before they have posted it. So here is an update on the 6th Ave public fishing access as in the name it is on 6th Ave in nisqaully it's a decent area, over time this spot has only gotten better the fishing maybe not so much. There is a one person unisex bathroom. I would advise bringing some sanitizer as there is no sink to wash your hands in after. Beware, you do not walk too far into the wooded area. There are no trespassing signs posted as it is owned by the campground, which is further down the main road. There are some wonderful locals in the area that always stop by and can be seen fishing or just checking out the water levels. If you're coming for fishing in this portion of the nisqually be sure you check the wdfw website for the rules and regulations as they are ever changing for this portion of the river. The Game Warden does stop by frequently in the area, so make sure you are up to date with all of your information. Anyone operating a Boat in these waters needs to make sure they have life jackets and an airhorn, I would also advise bringing a working radio to call for help. The waters may look perfectly fine, but they are rough. There are plenty of dangerous obstacles and debris in the water that make this portion of the river dangerous at times to be boating. Will update...

Took the kids to nisqually river to fish for Salmon for their first time. There were soooo many people there and I watched people pulling them Salmon like pros. My kids were trying so hard but the people there welcomed them with open arms. Gave them so much advice, helped them cast out, changed their weights and even gave my daughter a box of hooks. A nice couple that was here from Spokane gave us 2 if their fish right as they caught them.I felt so much love and kindness towards us there. This is now our new favorite spot to fish. We are going back next Saturday. They are determined to catch one and many more now. I truly mean it when I say the wonderful people there renewed my faith in humanity. Oh, and that was the best damn Salmon I...