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.
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OLYMPIA – May 24, 2023 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regularly scheduled commission work session virtually on May 31.
Commission work session items include a financial update covering Parks' 2021-23 biennium operating and capital budget expenditures and Parks Renewal and Stewardship Account (PRSA) revenue; a presentation on potential changes to the Foster Family Program; and a discussion about potential dates and locations for 2024 Commission work session and regular meetings.
Patos Island Marine State Park provides a favorite campsite for paddlers and moorage for sailors, located on the northernmost edge of the San Juan Archipelago, noted for its historic lighthouse and wild, remote shores.
A Rocky Island
The San Juan Islands are distinct from most of Puget Sound in that they feature shorelines with exposures of hard bedrock, rather than the bluffs of clay, sand and gravel left by Ice Age glaciers that are predominant on most of Washington’s Salish Sea, the state’s inland saltwater passages.
Every summer several Washington lakes and river sections, including a few at state parks, close due to toxic algae blooms. Not only is this gross and annoying – especially when your vacation is already planned – but blooms can pose serious health risks to people and pets.
What are toxic algae blooms
Toxic algae blooms are microscopic organisms that grow quickly, or “bloom” in a lake or reservoir.
Pacific Beach State Park has a long history as a place for travelers to rest as they journey along Washington’s Pacific Ocean coastline.
Indigenous Lands
The park lies within the traditional territories of Coast Salish Indigenous people whose present-day descendants include members of the Quinault Indian Nation and the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation.
Ethnographers reported that the mouth of Joe Creek in today’s Pacific Beach State Park served as a “rest stop” for Indigenous people traveling along the coast between trading centers.
Yakima Sportsman State Park owes its preservation and its distinctive name to the generosity of a group of waterfowl hunting enthusiasts who purchased lands in the Yakima River floodplain in the 1940s.
Folds, Floods, Meanders and Mines
The park is situated in a geographic area called the Yakima Fold Belt, an area of central Washington where tectonic compression of the layered Columbia River Basalt lava flows results in a series of parallel ridges that run perpendicular to the force of the stress—kind of like kicking a rug creates ridges in the fabric.
Overnight mooring space may be limited during construction
OLYMPIA – May 20, 2024 – Washington State Parks is set to begin contracted mooring buoy repair work in several state parks. Work in the San Juan Islands begins June 10 and work on the eastern Olympic Peninsula and Hood Canal will start July 8.
Parks will also complete routine inspections and maintenance of 81 of its public mooring buoys. The maintenance project will service state-owned public mooring buoys to ensure they are in top condition for boaters this summer.
OLYMPIA — Washington State Parks needs the help of its visitors to stop the spread of invasive pests that can cause significant damage to our forests.
State parks have a wide variety of natural native and planted non-native trees and forests, which puts them at risk for almost every worrisome invasive pest. Parks are of particular concern because they welcome visitors from all over the state and country who often bring their own camping supplies for their stay. This includes the main culprit for invasive pest transfer: firewood.
MONTESANO – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will lower the water level of Lake Sylvia by approximately five feet on June 23 to relieve pressure on the aging Lake Sylvia dam. The lowering process could take up to a week to complete.
The Lake Sylvia dam, which was built around 1918, is showing signs of age and requires maintenance work. Lowering the level of the lake will alleviate stress on the dam, ensure visitor safety and allow State Parks and its partners to continuing monitoring the structure while preparing for next steps.
Mount Spokane is the only state park in Washington that offers downhill skiing and snowboarding at Mt Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park, in addition to other non-motorized and motorized winter recreation opportunities. Mount Spokane State Park offers the full winter experience with 37 miles of Nordic trails for classic skiing, skate skiing and skijoring and 16 miles of groomed roads for snowmobiles and all types of non-motorized use.
Other designated trail systems in the park that aren’t groomed are also open to non-motorized use including snowshoeing, back-country skiing, snowboarding and fat-tire biking.
Other designated trail systems in the park that aren’t groomed are also open to non-motorized use including snowshoeing, back-country skiing, snowboarding and fat-tire biking.
Twelve marine state parks now accept buoy fees by phone
OLYMPIA – July 6, 2022 – Twelve Washington marine state parks now allow boaters to pay moorage fees by phone. Each buoy will have a buoy number and phone number to call to make payment. Previously, boaters at these parks had to go to shore to pay for overnight moorage.
This call-in option started in 2021 as a pilot program at Jarrell Cove State Park. The program expands this year to include 10 parks in the San Juan Islands and two in Skagit County.
They are:
Doe Island Marine State Park preserves an entire island along the southeastern coastline of Orcas Island in the San Juan Archipelago. It takes its name from the prevalence of deer in the area—nearby place names include Doe Bay, Deer Point and Buck Bay.
A Rocky Island
The San Juan Islands are distinct from most of Puget Sound in that they feature shorelines with exposures of hard bedrock, rather than the bluffs of clay, sand and gravel left by Ice Age glaciers that are predominant on most of Washington’s Salish Sea, the state’s inland saltwater passages.
Ring in the New Year with fresh air, sweeping views, and the magic of winter birdwatching! Join Washington State Parks staff and volunteers for a guided First Day Hike at Bottle Beach State Park.
This easy, family-friendly hike follows a flat, 1and a half-mile round-trip trail and beach through coastal wetlands to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking Grays Harbor. Along the way, we’ll share the unique natural and cultural history of Bottle Beach.
Participants can expect to see a variety of wintering waterfowl and maybe even some early shorebirds. Binoculars and cameras are encouraged!
This easy, family-friendly hike follows a flat, 1and a half-mile round-trip trail and beach through coastal wetlands to a wildlife viewing platform overlooking Grays Harbor. Along the way, we’ll share the unique natural and cultural history of Bottle Beach.
Participants can expect to see a variety of wintering waterfowl and maybe even some early shorebirds. Binoculars and cameras are encouraged!
OLYMPIA – May 3, 2022 – On May 1, Washington State Parks began managing more than 15 recreation sites owned by Avista Utilities. The properties sit around the Spokane River, Nine Mile Dam, Lake Spokane and Long Lake Dam.
According to a new five-year agreement, State Parks will operate the Avista sites as part of Riverside State Park. The land parcels, which total 2,000 acres, include six trailheads, two water access sites, two overlooks,10 boat-in campsites and one picnic area on Lake Spokane.
The trailheads are:
West Viewpoint Snowshoe Hike
Join Ranger Ann Freeman for a one-mile guided snowshoe hike and an all-ages activity to learn about the tracks and sign of our winter wildlife. The event begins at 11 AM at the North Trailhead Lot with snacks and warm drinks in the Snowflake Shelter. Then, we’ll depart for the beginner-friendly guided hike at 11:30 AM. After reaching the viewpoint, you can complete the one-mile loop and return to the North Trailhead, or you can continue on a self-guided hike to the summit of Puffer Butte. A Washington Non-Motorized Sno-Park Permit is required for this event and for day-use winter parking at Fields Spring. Snowshoes and trekking poles are available for rent at the park office; call the office at (509) 256-3332 for further information.
Join Ranger Ann Freeman for a one-mile guided snowshoe hike and an all-ages activity to learn about the tracks and sign of our winter wildlife. The event begins at 11 AM at the North Trailhead Lot with snacks and warm drinks in the Snowflake Shelter. Then, we’ll depart for the beginner-friendly guided hike at 11:30 AM. After reaching the viewpoint, you can complete the one-mile loop and return to the North Trailhead, or you can continue on a self-guided hike to the summit of Puffer Butte. A Washington Non-Motorized Sno-Park Permit is required for this event and for day-use winter parking at Fields Spring. Snowshoes and trekking poles are available for rent at the park office; call the office at (509) 256-3332 for further information.