Press Release
February 19, 2026
State Parks acquires 25 acres on Pearrygin Lake
Media contact
| Name | Sarah Fronk |
|---|---|
| Department | Washington State Parks Communications |
| media@parks.wa.gov | |
| Name | Adriana Matthews |
|---|---|
| Department | Trust for Public Land NW Public Relations |
| adriana@thesidewayslife.com | |
WINTHROP — In partnership with Trust for Public Land, Washington State Parks has officially acquired a 25-acre parcel of land on Pearrygin Lake in the Methow Valley.
The parcel, known as the Yockey Property, brings the agency one step closer to completing a public trail around the entire lake.
State Parks applied for a grant from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program in 2024 to acquire the property, which sits on the north side of the lake, bisected by Bear Creek Road between the Silverline Lakeside Resort and other state land. The project was funded in the 2025-27 state capital budget.
State Parks worked in close partnership with TPL on the acquisition, who connected directly with the Yockey family on the sale of the property.
“Pearrygin Lake has long been a treasured destination," said Mitsu Iwasaki, TPL Associate Vice President and Northwest Director for Trust for Public Land. "Our partnership here with Washington State Parks has spanned two decades, and conserving this property ensures a trail fully encompassing the lake is possible. Thanks to long-standing relationships with Washington State Parks and the Icicle Fund, this project is a testament to what’s possible when individuals, non-profits, and agencies unite for the benefit of everyone. The expansion of Pearrygin Lake State Park strengthens recreation opportunities, supports the outdoor economy that fuels the Methow Valley, and is an investment ensuring local communities and landscapes continue to thrive for generations to come.”
The acquisition of the property will protect the lakeshore, water quality, viewshed and natural habitat. It will also allow State Parks staff to actively manage and protect the land from invasive species and noxious weeds.
The agency already manages a park that stretches around most of the lake, Pearrygin Lake State Park. The 1,184-acre camping park has 11,000 feet of freshwater shoreline and is home to old willow and ash trees, colorful wildflowers and wildlife like marmots and red-winged and yellow-headed blackbirds.
The lake offers fishing as well as swimming and paddling. In the winter, it turns into a Sno-Park with cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and fat tire biking.
Learn more about Pearrygin Lake State Park at parks.wa.gov.
About Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit www.tpl.org.
About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Park Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.