CASTLE ROCK – Set to reopen after receiving its first major renovation since it originally opened in 1986, the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center in Castle Rock will begin welcoming visitors on May 31.
The new and improved exhibits provide a more comprehensive look at Mount St. Helens, Lawilátɬa in the language of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, from pre-eruption days to the present. Its displays show the powerful role the mountain has had in transforming the region over thousands of years.
The Cowlitz Indian Tribe was a close partner in this work. For millennia, the mountain has played a…
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05/28/2025
CASTLE ROCK – Set to reopen after receiving its first major renovation since it originally opened in 1986, the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center in Castle Rock will begin welcoming visitors on May 31.
The new and improved exhibits provide a more comprehensive look at Mount St. Helens, Lawilátɬa in the language of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, from pre-eruption days to the present. Its displays show the powerful role the mountain has had in transforming the region over thousands of years.
The Cowlitz Indian Tribe was a close partner in this work. For millennia, the mountain has played a… Read more
05/27/2025
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is moving its headquarters out of Tumwater to collocate with the Department of Ecology at its building in Lacey.
Customers who prefer to visit the agency’s Information Center in person can visit the new location — 300 Desmond Dr. SE, Lacey, WA, 98503 — beginning June 2.
The Information Center is expected to remain operational at 1111 SW Israel Rd, Tumwater until May 30. Staff will also continue to be available during business hours by email at Information.Center@parks.wa.gov and by phone at 360-902-8844. Discover Passes can also… Read more
05/21/2025
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) has begun using a new electronic bidding system for public works projects.
The launch of the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) Bonfire system marks the first phase in the agency’s larger plan to modernize and streamline procurement across all competitive applications.
This move steers State Parks away from outdated paper and email-based bid submissions to a secure, centralized and transparent online portal: State Parks Bonfire Procurement Opportunities, powered by the MRSC Electronic Bidding Bonfire… Read more
05/20/2025
OLYMPIA — Over half a million boaters in Washington have completed their boating safety education course, meeting state requirements and making our waterways safer.
So far in 2025, the Washington State Recreational Boating Safety Program has issued over 4,000 boater education cards to people who have completed the course, bringing the total number of cards issued by the program to 500,000.
For 20 years, the Washington State Recreational Boating Safety Program has administered the mandatory boater education card. The program aims to reduce statewide boating fatalities and educate folks on… Read more
05/19/2025
OLYMPIA – Starting Oct. 1, 2025, the annual Discover Pass will increase from $30 to $45. The Discover Pass is a fee charged to park a vehicle at Washington’s state parks and lands operated by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife and Washington Department of Natural Resources.
This increase was passed by the Legislature in April, and on May 17, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the bill into law. This is the first price increase since the Discover Pass was implemented in 2011 despite a period of high inflation.
The operation and maintenance of Washington’s… Read more
05/14/2025
OLYMPIA – Washington State Parks’ Folk and Traditional Arts Program (FTAP) announces its lineup of concerts and festivals this spring and summer, including the popular Waikiki Beach concerts at Cape Disappointment and the longstanding American Roots concerts at Deception Pass.
In addition, a unique partnership between FTAP and Trío Guadalevín produced a suite of songs with music videos highlighting historic and contemporary Latino/Hispanic contributions in the Pacific Northwest.
Trío Guadalevín is a renowned group of musicians, educators, storytellers and cultural artists based in… Read more
05/13/2025
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a virtual work session on May 21.
Commission meeting agenda items include a financial update, a presentation on the current 2025-2027 budget outlook, a look at the 2026 operating supplemental budget request, a legislative update and a discussion of Commission priorities.
View the full agenda and presentation materials here.
This is an online meeting, and all Parks staff and commissioners will be attending virtually. However, the Commission will provide a meeting space for the public to watch at the… Read more
04/30/2025
Public invited to ribbon-cutting ceremony, hike and trail ride on May 8
LYLE – The Swale Canyon segment of the Klickitat Trail will reopen after a 10-month renovation project to improve public safety and enhance visitor experience along this beautiful section of trail.
The new features will make foot, mountain bike and horse travel safer, prettier and less bumpy.
Trail improvements include:
Eight redecked trestle bridges
One replaced bridge
One bridge removed and replaced with a dip in the trail and potentially a shallow ford in early season
Several new gates along the trail
New… Read more
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