New public archery range opens at McNary Beach in Umatilla
By Dan Thesman on Tuesday, August 11th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UMATILLA — Union members, archers, and residents gathered Aug. 1 at McNary Beach in Umatilla to celebrate the grand opening of a new public archery range overlooking the Columbia River.
The facility restores recreational access lost in 2016 when the local bowhunters association disbanded. The project was built through a partnership between the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Walla Walla District, Mid-Columbia Archers, and regional union groups.
Project lead Travis Swayze, an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 112 business representative, worked with the USACE to secure the high-bluff site.
“There was a real need for the local archery community,” Swayze said.
The range includes an access road, gravel parking lot, safety boulders, buck-and-pole fencing, and a concrete shooting platform. Two Conex storage containers flank the platform, accommodating target distances up to 100 yards and featuring an official 70-meter Olympic distance target.
Despite 25 miles per hour winds, about 80 archery enthusiasts attended the event. The storage containers helped block the strong gusts over the shooting pad. A final pergola structure will be added in the coming months.
Funding was raised through the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, while land access was provided by the USACE. Volunteer labor was contributed by union tradespeople across the region, including members of the Central Washington Building and Construction Trades Council and the Pendleton Building and Construction Trades Council.
The facility will serve archers from Hermiston, Umatilla, and surrounding communities.
The facility will serve archers from Hermiston, Umatilla, and surrounding communities.
Photo courtesy Union Sportsmen’s Alliance
