We're updating our camping and moorage fees to continue providing great experiences for visitors amid inflation and rising costs. You will see a rate increase for camping stays booked for May 15 and beyond. Moorage fees will increase Jan. 1. Learn more here.
Recreational Boating Safety Program announces focus on life jacket wear while paddling
OLYMPIA – Paddlesports like kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, are among the most popular recreational activities in Washington State. In a recent study from the Recreation and Conservation Office, 52% of survey respondents participated in paddlesports. The study also noted a 28% increase in paddlesports participation from a previous study conducted in 2017.
Rising safety incidents show the importance of education on safety. Paddlesports accounted for 61% of reportable boating fatalities from 2023-2024, and 18 out of the 22 paddlesport fatalities occurred when the individual…
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04/14/2025
OLYMPIA – Paddlesports like kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, are among the most popular recreational activities in Washington State. In a recent study from the Recreation and Conservation Office, 52% of survey respondents participated in paddlesports. The study also noted a 28% increase in paddlesports participation from a previous study conducted in 2017.
Rising safety incidents show the importance of education on safety. Paddlesports accounted for 61% of reportable boating fatalities from 2023-2024, and 18 out of the 22 paddlesport fatalities occurred when the individual… Read more
04/10/2025
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and Outdoors for All Foundation announce the second season of Action Trackchair availability at the Adaptive Cycling Center (ACC) starting April 17 at Lake Sammamish State Park.
The Action Trackchair has a track similar to the back of a snowmobile, allowing it to move over uneven terrain. The chair broadens access to the park’s trails, picnic areas and ballfields for people who have mobility needs.
The chair’s battery runs for around two hours and will signal when it’s low.
The ACC is located at Sunset Beach. It is one of two Seattle-… Read more
04/09/2025
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular commission meeting on April 17 at Evergreen State College in Olympia.
The public is welcome to attend in-person or online.
Agenda items include:
Requested authorization of a five-year lease for State Parks’ new headquarters space at the Department of Ecology building
Financial and legislative updates, including a discussion about proposed budgets for the agency
An update on the City of Westport’s draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposal of a golf course… Read more
04/08/2025
OLYMPIA — As a member of the Washington Clean Coast Alliance, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is proud to co-host the annual Washington Coast Cleanup on Saturday, April 19. This vital event brings together volunteers to help protect and preserve Washington’s coastline.
This year’s cleanup will take place at 10 state parks, including Cape Disappointment, Fort Flagler, Fort Townsend, Fort Worden, Grayland Beach, Mystery Bay, Ocean City, Pacific Beach, Shine Tidelands and Twin Harbors.
State Parks collaborates with Washington CoastSavers to organize three… Read more
04/03/2025
OLYMPIA – Construction is anticipated to begin on a new roundabout at the intersection of State Route 7 and Mashel Prairie Road near Nisqually State Park on April 7.
This work is being completed as part of the development of Nisqually State Park. Crews will construct a modern, one-lane roundabout with a raised center island. The existing intersection of SR 7 and Mashel Prairie Road is on a corner with limited visibility, so the new roundabout will make it safer for people visiting the state park, SR 7 motorists and local residents.
The center island will include art contributed… Read more
04/02/2025
SPOKANE — Beginning next week, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will start work on a grant-funded project to build a new trailhead and expand parking access to the popular Knothead Loop Trail in Riverside State Park. Construction will tentatively be completed by July.
Due to the popularity of the trailhead and the size of the existing parking area, State Parks has seen an increase in the number of cars parking along the side of the road. For the safety of our visitors and to improve their overall experience, State Parks will add 38 new parking spots with… Read more
03/20/2025
OLYMPIA – March 20, 2025 –The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is opening up more camping opportunities for visitors by expanding its same-day reservation option to all parks with reservable campgrounds.
Beginning March 24, 2025, visitors will be able to secure a campsite instead of traveling to a park and gambling on the availability of a first come, first served site. Campers can book a same-day reservation until 2 p.m. on their intended day of arrival. This change is specific to campground reservations and does not apply to roofed accommodations, vacation rentals,… Read more
03/19/2025
SPOKANE – This spring, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will complete a 340-acre forest health treatment in the area immediately north of Seven Mile Road in Riverside State Park.
This project will help reduce wildfire risk within the park and promote a healthy and resilient forest by reducing the amount of wildfire fuels. It will also remove unhealthy trees from the ecosystem.
Work will begin in April and end on June 30, weather dependent. There will be heavy equipment moving in and out of the work area, so trailheads and trails within the project area will be closed… Read more
03/12/2025
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a virtual work session on March 19.
Commission meeting agenda items include an update on the agency’s Climate and Sustainability Program activities, an update on State-Tribal Recreation Impacts Initiative and efforts to adopt a charter for the initiative in June 2025, a legislative update, a financial update and general updates from State Parks staff.
View the full agenda and presentation materials here.
This is an online meeting, and all Parks staff and commissioners will be attending virtually. The… Read more
02/19/2025
OLYMPIA — As management and operation of the upper campus at Fort Worden Historical State Park returns to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the agency is bringing it into alignment with the other 123 parks in its system.
Beginning March 1, 2025, a Discover Pass will be required for day-use parking in all areas of the park. This requirement was waived for the 90-acre upper campus when it was under the management of the Fort Worden Public Development Authority.
This change will not impact campers in the park. A Fort Worden camping reservation will… Read more