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.
State Parks Commission to meet virtually
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regularly scheduled commission meeting virtually on Aug. 27
Commission meeting agenda items include an approval of the 2026 regular commission meeting schedule, approval of the Commission’s priorities for the 2025-27 biennium, approval of the agency’s request legislation for the 2026 Legislative Session, a presentation about the upcoming launch of the Scenic Bikeways Program and a financial update.
View the full agenda and presentation materials here.
This is an online meeting, and all…
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09/19/2022
No Discover Pass is required to park on State Parks, WA State Department of Natural Resources or WA Department of Fish and Wildlife managed lands on September 24 OLYMPIA – September 19, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) invites visitors to enjoy state parks or recreational areas on Saturday, September 24 in celebration of National Public Lands Day. Visitors are not required to display a Discover Pass for day-use visits to a Washington state park or on lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or Washington Department of Fish… Read more
09/13/2022
OLYMPIA – Sept. 13, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular hybrid commission meeting on Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Gladish Community Center in Pullman.Commission action items include approval of the submittal of the 2023 supplemental operating and capital budget requests to the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and approval of the 2023 regular commission meeting schedule.In addition, the commission will hear updates and reports from agency staff.Work Session and Commission Meeting agendas and presentations are available online. Virtual public… Read more
09/08/2022
Port of Lopez now operating seasonal mobile pumpout serviceOLYMPIA – September 8, 2022 – A new sewage pumpout boat is providing free service to recreational boaters in the San Juan Islands. The Port of Lopez received a grant in 2021 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to build an electric powered pumpout vessel. A separate grant from the Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant Program is supporting the operations and maintenance of the vessel, along with financial backing from the Port. Named “Blackwater,” the vessel has already provided several pumpouts despite only being… Read more
09/07/2022
Several parks will host events during national Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend.OLYMPIA – Sept. 7, 2022 – Washington State Parks will participate in the national Girl Scouts Love State Parks program this weekend. Girl Scouts Love State Parks is a partnership between Girl Scouts USA and the National Association of State Parks Directors. State parks in all 50 states participate.Several state parks will offer activities during Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend. Interpretive rangers will host scavenger hunts, arts and crafts for kids of all ages and the opportunity for kids to get their… Read more
08/31/2022
OLYMPIA – Aug. 31, 2022 – Washington State Parks will close the lower parking lot and all restroom facilities at Tolmie State Park near Lacey on Tuesday, Sept. 6 to complete a fish passage project. The upper lot at Tolmie will remain open, with space for 30 cars, and portable toilets will be available during construction. The work is set to start in September and wrap up in February of 2023. Visitors will be able to reach the beach on a steep trail from the upper parking lot. Designed and engineered by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), this project will replace a five-… Read more
08/18/2022
Grant provides funding for marine patrol vessels across WashingtonOLYMPIA – August 18, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Boating Program has announced funding recipients to receive just over $554,000 in federal grant dollars to improve patrol capacity on Washington waterways.The following entities will receive funding to replace their primary patrol vessel through the Marine Law Enforcement Patrol Vessel Replacement Grant Program:Clallam County - $125,326Franklin County - $36,552King County - $150,000Kittitas County - $92,169San Juan County - $150,000The Program… Read more
07/14/2022
OLYMPIA – July 14, 2022 – Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has issued a proclamation declaring the week of July 23-29 to be statewide Paddle Safe Week. In partnership with the Washington State Parks Boating Program, Paddle Safe Week will lead a statewide effort to create a culture of safety around paddle sports. The campaign recognizes that Washington's diverse waterways require different skills, preparation and safety equipment.In the last five years, paddlers have come to represent 55% of the statewide recreational boating fatalities. The relatively unstable nature of paddlecraft and… Read more
07/06/2022
OLYMPIA – July 6, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular in-person commission meeting Thursday, July 14 at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge in Anacortes.Commission action items include 2023-25 state grant applications and approval of the 2023-25 operating and capital budgets.In addition, the commission will hear updates and reports from agency staff and MS2000.A work session is scheduled the day before the regular meeting, on Wednesday, July 13. Work sessions are open to the public; however, there will be no opportunity for the public to comment and… Read more
07/06/2022
Twelve marine state parks now accept buoy fees by phoneOLYMPIA – July 6, 2022 – Twelve Washington marine state parks now allow boaters to pay moorage fees by phone. Each buoy will have a buoy number and phone number to call to make payment. Previously, boaters at these parks had to go to shore to pay for overnight moorage.This call-in option started in 2021 as a pilot program at Jarrell Cove State Park. The program expands this year to include 10 parks in the San Juan Islands and two in Skagit County. They are:San Juan Islands:Blind IslandClark IslandJames IslandJones IslandMatia… Read more
06/22/2022
Parks staff offer reminders, tips and rules for fireworks and use of state parksOLYMPIA – June 22, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission encourages safe and responsible gatherings in state parks during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. Parks urges visitors to:Know before you go – Check for park closures and alerts before heading out.Leave no trace – Garbage receptacles may be available, but visitors should plan to pack out trash and anything they have brought with them. All fireworks must be fully extinguished before visitors dispose of them. Practice fire safety –… Read more