The Parks headquarters Information Center is moving from its current location in Tumwater to the Department of Ecology building at 300 Desmond Drive SE in Lacey. Our customer service team is located at the front desk, just inside the main entrance.
Search results
1065 results found
Riverside State Park and Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance Eastern Washington Chapter are teaming up to begin restoration of the trails that were damaged during the recent Forest Health Project. Join us June 7th for this National Trails Day event where we will focus on trails 25 and 400 in the Deep Creek area of Riverside State Park. Meet at 8:15am at the Seven Mile airstrip for introductions and instructions. We will head to the work areas in groups via car pool, a short hike to the closest work site, or bring your bike and ride about 2.5 miles to the far work site. We will all return at noon to the airstrip for a barbecue lunch. If you're available and ready to work a bit more after lunch there will be crew leaders and tools still available.
Key Peninsula Historical Society presents the Early Days of Penrose Camping.
OLYMPIA – As a proud member of the Washington Clean Coast Alliance, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will co-host the annual Washington Coast Cleanup on Saturday, April 20.
This year’s event will take place at ten state parks: Cape Disappointment, Fort Flagler, Fort Townsend, Fort Worden, Grayland Beach, Mystery Bay, Ocean City, Pacific Beach, Shine Tidelands and Twin Harbors.
The Klickitat Trail runs 31 miles through stunning Columbia River Gorge country between Lyle and the Goldendale plateau. As it leaves the Columbia to follow the Klickitat River, the gentle trail leads cyclists, hikers, birders and, in some places, equestrians through dramatic Swale Canyon.
Parks planners will discuss possible modifications to conserve critical habitats
OLYMPIA – March 14, 2022 – Washington State Parks invites the public to attend a virtual meeting to learn about plans for expansion of the Klickitat Trail State Park in Klickitat County.
Members of the public can participate in the meeting by using the link or call-in information below.
WHEN:
1:30 p.m.– 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 29
A visitor to Old Ruby State Park Heritage Site is likely to find themselves alone among tall ponderosa pines gently swaying in the breeze. But if one could travel back in time to the late 1800s, there would have been a bustling town with a population of more than 1,000 on the site. Ruby City was one of the most consequential silver mining locations in the history of Washington, and its development generated intense excitement just as Washington became the 42nd state in the United States.
This entire gorge is famous for its wind and water sports, and Doug's Beach is a coveted spot. The winds can be fierce, whipping the river into a white-capped frenzy. Kite boarding and windsurfing success at this site comes with bragging rights and respect; it is rated as expert and is only recommended for those who are properly trained, skilled and equipped.
OLYMPIA – Oct. 05, 2021 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold special commission meeting on Wed., Oct. 6. The purpose of this October 6 special meeting is for the commission to receive and evaluate complaints brought against a public officer or employee, to determine if the commission needs to prescribe additional measures and for the executive committee to seek additional directions or delegations from the commission as needed.
“May These Gates Never Be Closed”
The inscription inside the east wall of the Peace Arch monument has a simple message: the highest goal between great nations should be perfect peace. This 67-foot-tall structure of concrete on a steel frame was financed and constructed under the direction of lawyer, financier, road builder and humanitarian Sam Hill.
OLYMPIA – Ring in the new year with Washington State Parks during our annual First Day Hikes event on Jan. 1, 2024.
More than 40 state parks will host staff-led and self-guided hikes, snowshoe excursions, dog walks, bike and trail rides, paddle adventures and more on New Year’s Day.
OLYMPIA – November 15, 2022 - Washington State Parks is inviting the public to ring in the new year during its annual First Day Hikes event on Jan. 1, 2023.
At least 40 state parks will host staff-led and self-guided hikes, snowshoe excursions, bike rides and more on New Year's Day.
SPOKANE — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is asking the public to weigh in on two potential scenarios for the future of Mount Spokane State Park.
This feedback will help inform the development of the new 20-year master plan for the park. The planning effort has been underway since early 2024 and will result in a clear vision, timeline and prioritized list of maintenance and improvement projects.
OLYMPIA — As a member of the Washington Clean Coast Alliance, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is proud to co-host the annual Washington Coast Cleanup on Saturday, April 19. This vital event brings together volunteers to help protect and preserve Washington’s coastline.
This year’s cleanup will take place at 10 state parks, including Cape Disappointment, Fort Flagler, Fort Townsend, Fort Worden, Grayland Beach, Mystery Bay, Ocean City, Pacific Beach, Shine Tidelands and Twin Harbors.
Visitors will see intermittent closures on three trails this summer
ISSAQUAH – Beginning this week, visitors will see construction activity on lower Issaquah Creek at Lake Sammamish State Park.
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.
Willie Keil’s Grave is located in a small, private cemetery just off State Highway 6, about 5 miles east of Raymond. Stop at the State Parks highway pullout to view the gravesite, pay your respects, and read about the so-called "Pickled Pioneer."
Thursday, May 29th: 9AM-2PM - Riverside State Park - Deep Creek Interpretive Trail - Trail Brushing & Tread Maintenance
Join us to improve the Deep Creek Interpretive Trail near Nine Mile Falls, WA. We will meet at Carlson Trailhead and hike down the Centennial Trail to where the Deep Ck. Interpretive Trail crosses the Centennial (about 1/2 mile from Carlson TH). From here, we will leapfrog one another and hike the entire interpretive loop (about 1.5 mi.) with handsaws, loppers, and brushcutters to remove encroaching vegetation from the trail. The trail is steep in sections with loose rock.
Join us to improve the Deep Creek Interpretive Trail near Nine Mile Falls, WA. We will meet at Carlson Trailhead and hike down the Centennial Trail to where the Deep Ck. Interpretive Trail crosses the Centennial (about 1/2 mile from Carlson TH). From here, we will leapfrog one another and hike the entire interpretive loop (about 1.5 mi.) with handsaws, loppers, and brushcutters to remove encroaching vegetation from the trail. The trail is steep in sections with loose rock.
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:
Saturday, May 31st: 9AM-2PM - Riverside State Park - Deep Creek Interpretive Trail - Trail Brushing & Tread Maintenance
Join us to improve the Deep Creek Interpretive Trail near Nine Mile Falls, WA. We will meet at Carlson Trailhead and hike down the Centennial Trail to where the Deep Ck. Interpretive Trail crosses the Centennial (about 1/2 mile from Carlson TH). From here, we will leapfrog one another and hike the entire interpretive loop (about 1.5 mi.) with tread tools to smooth uneven tread and install drainage. We will also carry loppers and handsaws to brush any encroaching vegetation. The trail is steep in sections with loose rock.
Join us to improve the Deep Creek Interpretive Trail near Nine Mile Falls, WA. We will meet at Carlson Trailhead and hike down the Centennial Trail to where the Deep Ck. Interpretive Trail crosses the Centennial (about 1/2 mile from Carlson TH). From here, we will leapfrog one another and hike the entire interpretive loop (about 1.5 mi.) with tread tools to smooth uneven tread and install drainage. We will also carry loppers and handsaws to brush any encroaching vegetation. The trail is steep in sections with loose rock.
Join Interpretive Specialist, Sarah Overby, for a short hike in Northrup Canyon.
Ring in the holidays at the Admiralty Head Lighthouse for our annual Light Up Your Holiday event. Enjoy kid's activities and get your picture with Santa.
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) has begun using a new electronic bidding system for public works projects.
The launch of the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) Bonfire system marks the first phase in the agency’s larger plan to modernize and streamline procurement across all competitive applications.
OLYMPIA — Significant septic failures led to the closure of the cabins and other buildings in the beach area of Cama Beach State Park in February 2024.
Forest thinning will begin this fall
OLYMPIA – Oct. 12, 2022 – Washington State Parks will hold a virtual open house on an upcoming forest health project at Squilchuck State Park. The purpose of this meeting is to share updates about the project and answer questions.
The meeting will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18 via Microsoft Teams. Attendees do not need to download Teams to join; they can use a web browser on a computer or mobile phone.
OLYMPIA — On July 1, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will transition to the statewide small works roster hosted by the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC).