Washington / Walla Walla County

Rooks Park Bennington Lake

Closed — Day-use only facility, no camping permitted. Open year-round for foot traffic. Vehicle access from April to mid-October. Gates open 7 a.m., close at 9 p.m. or sunset. Group picnic shelter available for reservation via Recreation.gov.

About

Rooks Park at Bennington Lake is a day-use only recreation area managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as part of the Mill Creek Project. Located just 10 minutes east of Walla Walla, Washington, this 18-acre developed park offers visitors a variety of recreational opportunities in a scenic setting along Mill Creek. The park consists of large open grassy spaces and smaller secluded areas ideal for families and groups. Large shade trees and irrigated lawns provide relief from hot summer days. Amenities include a reservable group picnic shelter that accommodates up to 75 people, flush toilets, drinking water, a playground, sand volleyball court, and horseshoe pit. The park's grassy spaces are perfect for picnics, volleyball, football, or frisbee, and visitors enjoy cooling their feet in Mill Creek. Rooks Park serves as a trailhead for exploring the Bennington Lake area, the only public lake in the Walla Walla Valley. The 52-acre lake is stocked with rainbow trout in spring and offers additional hiking and outdoor recreation opportunities. The park is open year-round to foot traffic, with vehicle access from April to mid-October. Gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. or sunset, whichever comes first. Alcohol is prohibited, dogs must be leashed, and this is strictly a day-use facility with no overnight camping permitted.

Directions

From Walla Walla, take Highway 12 East. Exit at Airport Way and turn right. Drive 0.25 miles, then turn left onto East Isaacs Avenue. Continue onto Mill Creek Road in 0.75 miles. Drive 0.5 miles, then turn right onto Rooks Park Road. Continue 0.25 miles to the park.

Nearby Campgrounds