Projects

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is undertaking a planning process to develop a Master Plan for the future of Blake Island Marine State Park. 

In October 2024, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission voted to permanently close the cabins, the Center for Wooden Boats, historic park store, park office and lower restrooms at Cama Beach.

Cape Disappointment is one of the most visited state parks in Washington. This project focuses on improving the park’s infrastructure through renovations to its entrance, roads and trails.

The West Beach parking lot at Deception Pass State Park experienced significant damage following heavy winter storms in January. The lot pavement was damaged in several areas and littered with large debris. The parking lot is located near a shoreline, which is a sensitive ecosystem. 

The Dry Falls Visitor Center is one of the youngest features on the Ice Age Flood-carved landscape off State Route 17. But this much-loved interpretive center still has many of its original features and needs an upgrade, so it will close in April 2026 for major renovations.

Washington State Parks is now operating the upper campus of Fort Worden Historical State Park. In the coming months, we will begin a planning process to inform the long-term plan for the upper campus. The parks campgrounds are open and remain available for reservations.  

Parks is in the process of developing a new community-informed Master Plan for Mount Spokane State Park. This heavily-used "trails park" features distinct summer and winter experiences for a variety of recreational opportunities. The master planning process, called the “Future Planning for Mount Spokane” is rooted in the exploration of what Mount S

Washington State Parks is currently working on the Classification and Management Planning (CAMP) process for Gingko Petrified Forest State Park. State Parks started the CAMP process in January 2019; however, planning was put on hold in June 2021 when it was determined that additional environmental analysis was necessary.

Washington State Parks is undertaking a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) conversion project at Grayland Beach State Park. This project involves a minor adjustment to ensure the long-term recreational benefits of LWCF are maintained.

Washington State Parks, in partnership with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, will create improved in-stream habitat along the lower 6,000 feet of Issaquah Creek that flows through Lake Sammamish State Park. The result will be an environment that is more hospitable to Chinook and other salmon species, where

State Parks is reviewing and updating Lake Sammamish State Park’s Management Plan, which was originally completed in 2004.

Lake Sammamish State Park is getting a much-needed renovation at Sunset Beach. This heavily used day-use area will have improved ADA access trails, an upgraded event space, new picnic shelters, and small covered shelters near the playground for caregivers to observe the play area.

In 2025, State Parks lowered the level of Lake Sylvia approximately five feet (down to 95 feet) to relieve pressure on the Lake Sylvia dam. The historic dam, which was built around 1918, is showing signs of age and requires maintenance work.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is developing a long-range plan for its property located on Miller Peninsula. This 2,800-acre undeveloped park is located in the north Olympic Peninsula, just east of Sequim and north of Highway 101 in Clallam County.

Nisqually State Park is a day-use park currently in development near the town of Eatonville on the Nisqually River between the Mashel River and Ohop Creek. 

In 2018, State Parks initiated a planning process to update the land classifications and long-term boundaries at three parks located within the Blue Mountain Area: Palouse Falls, Lyons Ferry, and Lewis and Clark Trail. The Commission adopted the recommended updates to the land classification and long-term boundaries for these three parks in January 2021.

The Malden to Kenova project on the East Section of the Palouse to Cascades Trail includes the design and reconstruction of three bridges along the trail that burned in the 2020 Babb Road Fire.

Following a significant atmospheric river event in December 2025, State Parks was forced to close several sections of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. The storm caused significant damage that made the trail unstable and impassable.  

During the spring of 2025, Parks worked with contractors to complete a 340-acre forest health project in Riverside State Park in the area between Seven Mile Road and Carlson Road. This project will promote a healthy and resilient forest by removing wildfire fuels and low vigor trees.

In spring 2026, Washington State Parks officially acquired a 900-acre parcel of land, formerly known as the Glen Tana Property, to expand Riverside State Park. The property provides habitat for many wildlife species and connects existing recreational and conservation areas.

On Saturday, Aug. 1, wildfires near Riverside State Park and the Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail prompted level 3 evacuations. Over the next several days, two wildfires – the Old Trails and Autumn Lane fires – burned into the park and caused significant damage to the landscape.

Washington State Parks has started a planning process for Steptoe Butte State Park and Steptoe Battlefield State Park Heritage Sites. CAMP is a multi-staged, public participation-based planning process for individual parks that culminates with adoption of park land classifications, a long-term park boundary, and a park management plan.

Sequim Bay State Park will be closed from mid-June to Aug. 24 for a full redesign/reconfiguration of the park entrance. Construction will include a new parking lot and improved flow through the welcome center area and parking lot.