Lake Sylvia reopens after summer construction, improvements

OLYMPIA — Lake Sylvia State Park in Montesano has reopened for camping and day-use after undergoing construction and improvements.

Over the summer and fall, crews replaced a culvert beneath the main entrance road with a bridge. The new bridge will provide safer and more sustainable infrastructure, particularly in heavy rain events. Additionally, park staff used the closure to complete maintenance and improvements, including construction of pedestrian access to the park on the new bridge, a new road and a new sidewalk.

Visitors are invited to come check out the improved park. Lake Sylvia offers year-round camping. At this time of year, campsites are available on a first come, first served basis. The campground takes reservations for stays between April 1 and Sept. 30.

Even if you only have the day, Lake Sylvia is a local destination for hiking, biking and Rainbow and Coastal cutthroat trout fishing. There are also several community mountain biking trails that leave from Lake Sylvia and spiral up in the hills above the park.

First Day Hikes at Lake Sylvia

Whether you’re excited to get back to Lake Sylvia or you’re interested in visiting for the first time, New Years Day is the perfect opportunity to explore. Lake Sylvia will host three hikes as part of our First Day Hikes event. It is also a Discover Pass free day. The staff-led hikes will leave from the Legacy Pavillion at 1 p.m. and include a forest bathing stroll, a .5-mile walk and a 1.5-mile hike. Learn more here.

First Day Hikes is a national initiative led by America’s State Parks that encourages everyone to embrace the outdoors as the new year begins. Last year, more than 1,700 participants hiked, biked and snowshoed 2,907.2 miles of trails in Washington’s state parks. While distances and rigor vary from park to park, all hikes are designed to be a fun experience for the entire family.