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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03/01/2022
OLYMPIA – March 1, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will host their regularly scheduled work session virtually on March 8. The public may listen to or watch the meeting through the resources listed below. This is a work session between staff and the Commission. The public is invited to attend, but no public comment will be taken. No decisions will be made by the Commission at the work session. WHATCommission work session WHOWashington State Parks and Recreation Commission WHEN9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. WebExAttendee LinkPassword: WAP@rks2022 Attendee Phone Call-In Number(… Read more
02/22/2022
OLYMPIA – Feb. 22, 2022 – This month, Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Holly Williams of Vancouver as the newest member of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.Williams, an experienced engineer and accountant, received her bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University and moved to Vancouver to work at Hewlett-Packard. After receiving a post-baccalaureate certificate in Accounting from Washington State University Vancouver, she worked as an accountant for Green Empowerment, Mercy Corps and Cascade Forest Conservancy.“Holly is a true public servant with a passion… Read more
02/15/2022
Park planners will discuss design alternatives for Nisqually State Park OLYMPIA – Feb. 15, 2022 – Washington State Parks invites the public to an in-person open house to learn more about plans for day-use facilities and trails at Nisqually State Park.WHEN:6 – 8 p.m. Thursday, March 3WHERE:Eatonville Community Center, 305 Center Street W, Eatonville (Driving Directions).WHAT: State Parks planners will seek public input about design alternatives for day-use improvements at Nisqually State Park.The proposed project would construct a “village center” and the first phase of the park's trail… Read more
02/14/2022
Hundreds of positions available across WashingtonOLYMPIA – Feb. 14, 2022 – Washington State Parks announces its annual statewide recruitment for park aide and senior park aide positions.The available park aide and senior park aide positions are non-permanent. Each summer, State Parks employs around 350 park aides and up to 40 senior park aides to work in Washington state parks from April through September. Park aides register campers, maintain trails, clean campgrounds and comfort stations and perform a variety of custodial maintenance chores. They also may work in park offices, interact… Read more
02/04/2022
State Parks closes parts of Bowman Bay to protect the new pupOLYMPIA – Feb. 4, 2022 – Washington State Parks announces the birth of a new northern elephant seal at Deception Pass State Park.The birth took place on Jan. 31 at Bowman Bay in the park. The pup's mother is one of a small family of elephant seals that visits Whidbey and Fidalgo islands frequently and is well known to residents. This is her first pup.Staff at Deception Pass have closed the Bowman Bay boat launch to all visitors. They have closed the day-use area at Bowman Bay to pets. Visitors hiking the Rosario Head/Lighthouse… Read more
01/18/2022
OLYMPIA – Jan. 18, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular in-person commission meeting Thursday, Jan. 27 in The Commons at Fort Worden Historical State Park. Commission action items include approval of 2022 agency priorities and a decision regarding obligations of the Fort Worden Public Development Authority.In addition, the commission will hear updates and reports from agency staff about the State Parks Boating Program and long-term planning for several parks from North Puget Sound to the Blue Mountains.A work session is scheduled the day before… Read more
01/03/2022
Park planners will discuss impacts of renovation, expansion on roads and traffic OLYMPIA – Jan. 3, 2022 – Washington State Parks invites the public to attend a virtual public meeting to learn about plans for the expansion of Kopachuck State Park, including potential impacts on traffic and county roads.WHEN: 6 p.m.Tuesday, Jan. 11WHERE: https://bit.ly/3yyIZ5T. Attendees do not need to download Microsoft Teams to join. A web browser and speakers are required to watch and listen to the presentation. For additional information or special accommodations, contact Ken Graham: LandProg@parks.wa.… Read more
12/21/2021
Book a Washington State Parks Retreat Center for youth groups, schools, families, businesses and other groupsOLYMPIA – Dec. 21, 2021 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announced the reopening of park retreat centers beginning in spring 2022. On Jan. 3 at 7 a.m., parks will begin accepting retreat center reservations for the 2022 Memorial Day weekend and beyond. The retreat centers have been closed since March of 2020 due to COVID-19. Facilities officially reopen on May 27, 2022. All 2022 reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservation requests will be… Read more
12/13/2021
Long-term contract with concessionaire Argosy Cruises comes to an endOLYMPIA – Dec. 13, 2021 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announced that Tillicum Excursion at Blake Island Marine State Park will close. Argosy Cruises, the concessionaire that operated Tillicum Excursion (formerly known as Tillicum Village) made the difficult decision to opt out of their long-standing contract with Parks due to challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.“We are sad to end Tillicum Excursion as we always saw huge opportunity in our operation on Blake Island,” said Molly Schlobohm,… Read more
12/13/2021
OLYMPIA – Dec. 13, 2021 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a special commission meeting on Tues., Dec. 14. The purpose of this special meeting is for the Commission to establish the qualifications for the initial screening of applicants for the State Parks director position and to delegate authority or take other actions in the discretion of the Commission for the director recruitment and hiring process. The special meeting begins at 5 p.m. and will be conducted remotely. The public can view the meeting by using one of the following: WebEx: https://watech.webex.… Read more