Palouse to Cascades Trail reopens west of Snoqualmie Tunnel
Completed bypass trail near the Mount Washington Trailhead on the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail.
NORTH BEND — June 2, 2026 — The western portion of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail is officially reopening this weekend near the Mount Washington Trailhead.
Washington State Parks completed work on a 350-foot long, 36-inche wide bypass trail. The trail will reopen to pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians on June 5.
This project was made possible by the Washington State Parks Foundation, which donated the…
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06/02/2026
Completed bypass trail near the Mount Washington Trailhead on the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail.
NORTH BEND — June 2, 2026 — The western portion of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail is officially reopening this weekend near the Mount Washington Trailhead.
Washington State Parks completed work on a 350-foot long, 36-inche wide bypass trail. The trail will reopen to pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians on June 5.
This project was made possible by the Washington State Parks Foundation, which donated the…
05/28/2026
OLYMPIA – From Bagpipes for Beginners to West African dance, Washington State Parks' Folk and Traditional Arts Program has an exciting lineup of concerts and festivals coming this summer.
Concerts
The annual concert series – at Cape Disappointment, Lake Wenatchee, Lincoln Rock and Deception Pass – feature local artists performing a variety of music and dance, including Bluegrass, folk, Americana, Klezmer, Latino, African and Celtic traditions.
The American Roots series at Deception Pass is honoring its 20th season. To help State Parks celebrate, the agency is excited to…
04/08/2026
OLYMPIA – Celebrate Earth Day weekend by helping protect Washington’s beaches and marine life – volunteer at a state park during the annual Washington Coast Cleanup.
As a member of the Washington Clean Coast Alliance, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is proud to co-host this opportunity to bring people together who love Washington’s coastlines and want to help protect and preserve it.
While cleanup events will take place at multiple sites along the Pacific Coast and Salish Sea, State Parks will…
04/07/2026
Inclement weather update
Due to inclement weather, the Commission tour on Wed., April 15 has been changed since this press release was originally posted. The updated tour schedule is reflected below.
SPOKANE — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular commission meeting on April 16 at the Spokane Tribe Resort and Casino.
This is a hybrid meeting, and the public is welcome to attend in-person or online.
Agenda items include:
Requested approval of three housekeeping changes to…
03/17/2026
The cabins at Camano Island State Park are located in a beautiful forest setting with peek-a-boo views of Saratoga Passage.
OLYMPIA — March 17, 2026 — The Washington State Parks system is older than the National Parks system and stewards 122,000 acres of land in every corner of the state. Many of the icons that signify place in Washington can be found in a state park – the Deception Pass bridge, the state waterfall at Palouse Falls, orca off the point at Lime Kiln and so much more.
State parks are beloved by residents and travelers alike. They see…
03/17/2026
More trained volunteers, land access needed
OLYMPIA – After wrapping up its second full year, the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) Washington Bee Atlas (WABA) has collected and identified records of nearly 30 new or rare bee species in the state. Seventeen species were new state records* — meaning they are the first known records of finding the bee in Washington. WABA also found 12 species which had not been recorded in the state for at least 50 years, one of which was most recently recorded in the state in 1882.
WABA volunteers collected the new and rare…
03/13/2026
Index resident Chris Henson on a climb at the Lower Town Wall called "Thin Fingers." Photo by Ben Gilkison
OLYMPIA — In early March, the Washington Climbers Coalition, a rock climbing advocacy group, donated 20 acres that include some of the state’s finest rock climbs to Washington State Parks.
This donation caps over twenty years of conservation and public access efforts focused on the Lower Town Wall, a granite crag near Index, Wash. Washington State Parks has agreed to manage the property as a climbing park in order to forever preserve public…
03/02/2026
Beebe Bridge State Park has 46 campsites for RVs and tents. Photo courtesy of Chelan PUD
CHELAN — Washington State Parks has officially taken over management of campground and day-use shelter bookings for Beebe Bridge State Park. This shift aims to streamline the reservation process and integrate the Chelan-area park into State Parks’ booking system.
Visitors can begin making their campsite and day-use shelter reservations on Wednesday, March 4 at 8 a.m. for the 2026 season, which runs from April 15 to Oct. 15. Reservations can be made online at…
02/27/2026
GOLDENDALE — Lunar eclipses are among the most anticipated celestial events at Goldendale Observatory State Park, and 2026 will bring two remarkable opportunities for skywatchers across the Pacific Northwest.
A total lunar eclipse will occur early Tuesday morning on March 3. The eclipse will begin at 12:44 a.m. and conclude at 6:23 a.m., with maximum eclipse at 3:33 a.m.
The observatory will open for drop-in visitors from 1 to 6 a.m. Visitors will have a chance to view the eclipsed…
02/19/2026
The parcel, known as the Yockey Property, brings the agency one step closer to completing a public trail around the entire lake. Photo courtesy of TPL
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…