Wildfire season is here and impacting several parks, so make sure you’re in the know before you go. Before you head to a park, please check its page or head to our alerts page for closures, alerts and other important information to make sure you have a fun, safe and informed trip.
Limited water availability at Bogachiel State Park, showers unavailable
FORKS — Visitors and campers heading to Bogachiel State Park will need to prepare for limited water availability for the remainder of the season.
Due to low water levels in the park’s well, potable water will be limited to use by registered campers only. Day-use visitors are asked to come prepared with their own water. Restrooms will remain open, however the park’s showers, dump station and RV tank filling water stations are closed.
The well is not expected to recharge until the fall rainy season. State Parks staff appreciate the patience and preparedness of visitors to the park.
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07/02/2025
OLYMPIA – This summer, thousands of Washington State youth will get a chance to step into an outdoor adventure, thanks to grants from Washington State Parks.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, in partnership with the state Recreation and Conservation Office, today announced the award of more than $1 million in grants to 15 organizations. The No Child Left Inside (NCLI) grants provide access for youth who experience barriers to the outdoors, supporting programs that offer recreation and education opportunities.
This year's grant cycle set a record, with 261 applications… Read more
07/02/2025
OLYMPIA – Though Washington’s state parks might be known for their acres of natural beauty and recreational opportunities, they’re also a place where families can kick back and enjoy live music or experience new foods and activities at a cultural festival.
The Folk and Traditional Arts Program (FTAP) at Washington State Parks has recently added even more concerts and festivals to its summer lineup. The additions include the return of the popular Rhythm on the River and Mountain Melodies concert series in Central Washington.
Check out “Rhythm on the River” on Friday evenings at… Read more
06/20/2025
SPOKANE — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is asking the public to weigh in on two potential scenarios for the future of Mount Spokane State Park.
This feedback will help inform the development of the new 20-year master plan for the park. The planning effort has been underway since early 2024 and will result in a clear vision, timeline and prioritized list of maintenance and improvement projects.
The two scenarios reflect the range of potential projects and proposed features collected throughout the planning process. The goal of the open house is not to identify one… Read more
06/18/2025
OLYMPIA — As thousands head to Washington’s state parks and beaches to celebrate the Fourth of July, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (State Parks) is asking everyone to recreate responsibly – for the safety of our communities, environment and wildlife.
State Parks sees a dramatic increase in visitation during Independence Day celebrations, particularly on its beaches. The increase in traffic also increases the amount of trash left behind. Last year, volunteers picked up more than 129,000 pounds of trash from Washington beaches on July 5 – about the weight of nine… Read more
06/18/2025
COUPEVILLE – The beach access road at Fort Ebey State Park will close June 23-25 for repaving.
The road work will help restore sections of the park’s day-use road that have eroded. This work is the first phase in a larger project to repave the roads at Fort Ebey.
Recreation and beach access still available
The roads to the battery shelter and campground are still accessible. Surfers can access the beach from Libbey Beach Park.
The beach and beach facilities, including picnic shelter, bathrooms and picnic tables will still be accessible by foot via the park’s hiking trails. The… Read more
06/12/2025
MONTESANO – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will lower the water level of Lake Sylvia by approximately five feet on June 23 to relieve pressure on the aging Lake Sylvia dam. The lowering process could take up to a week to complete.
The Lake Sylvia dam, which was built around 1918, is showing signs of age and requires maintenance work. Lowering the level of the lake will alleviate stress on the dam, ensure visitor safety and allow State Parks and its partners to continuing monitoring the structure while preparing for next steps.
The lake will remain open for… Read more
06/11/2025
Visitors will see intermittent closures on three trails this summer
ISSAQUAH – Beginning this week, visitors will see construction activity on lower Issaquah Creek at Lake Sammamish State Park.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (State Parks) and Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust (The Greenway Trust), in partnership with several government and community organizations, will start work on a restoration project to rehabilitate 4,600 feet of the creek. This project, the most ambitious restoration effort to date at Lake Sammamish, will enhance critical salmon habitat while… Read more
05/29/2025
OLYMPIA — Washington State Parks will perform its annual mooring buoy maintenance at marine state parks in Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands in June.
This ongoing maintenance creates safe conditions for boaters who tie up to buoys at marine state parks and recreate or sleep in their vessels.
The following parks will have limited mooring buoy availability during the following timeframes:
Monday, June 2:
Stretch Island
McMicken Island
Jarrell Cove
Tuesday, June 3:
Hope Island/Mason County
Joemma Beach
Tolmie
Eagle Island… Read more
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