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 — Recreational boaters in Washington waters will have an easier time disposing of vessel sewage thanks to nearly $690,000 in new federal pass-through grants for recreational boat pumpout and floating restroom projects.
Awarded by the Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant Program (CVA), the grants focus on constructing or maintaining sewage disposal systems for recreational vessels, and supporting outreach programs that inform boaters about the location of these facilities.
OLYMPIA – With daytime low tides returning and spring right around the corner, many of Washington’s clam and oyster beaches are now open or will soon reopen for recreational shellfish gathering.
State clam, mussel, and oyster harvesting seasons vary by beach. Regulations and season dates as well as shellfishing tips are available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website.
OLYMPIA – May 11, 2022 – Recreational boating is a popular pastime in Washington. In fact, several hundred thousand Washington residents own at least one canoe, kayak, rowboat, personal watercraft, stand up paddleboard, drift boat, runabout, sailboat, motor yacht or other recreational vessel. Boats and boaters are everywhere!
Boating, however, is not without risk. The chilly waters of the Pacific Northwest can be unforgiving, and safety must be on the minds of everyone who plays in and around Washington waterways.
OLYMPIA — Lake Sylvia State Park will reopen by the end of 2024, as Washington State Parks (Parks) completes an improvement project at the park’s entrance.
OLYMPIA — Millersylvania State Park is temporarily closed while the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) completes its water testing protocol. The park is anticipated to reopen later this week.
The Winter Recreation Program at Washington State Parks coordinates Sno-Parks across the state.
The state is home to 21 lighthouses, nearly half of them in and around state parks. So, pick your park or parks, plan a trip and find the lighthouses of your dreams.
Washington State Parks proudly recognize our volunteers’ outstanding commitment in helping maintain our parks and sharing their knowledge with park visitors as we work towards a common goal of protecting our state lands.
Washington State Parks has two ongoing customer feedback surveys. One is for daytime-only park visitors and the other for those who stay overnight. We hope everyone who visits our parks will let us know about their experiences so we can keep working to improve our parks for everyone.
Searching for valuable objects with a metal detector is a fun, easy outdoor activity. Metal detecting is permitted at more than 30 state parks throughout Washington.
Metal detecting areas vary in each park. Some parks allow detecting in developed public-use areas and unoccupied campsites, while other parks allow detecting in specific areas only.
Metal detecting areas vary in each park. Some parks allow detecting in developed public-use areas and unoccupied campsites, while other parks allow detecting in specific areas only.
The Washington State Parks invites you to play an active role in planning and developing your state parks.
Washington State Parks is now operating the upper campus of Fort Worden Historical State Park. In the coming months, we will begin a planning process to inform the long-term plan for the upper campus. The parks campgrounds are open and remain available for reservations.
State Parks will engage with the Tribes separately to get an understanding of how they want to participate in future planning.
Annual permit waives watercraft launch, trailer dump and day-use parking fees in Washington State Parks.
Book a Washington State Parks Retreat Center for youth groups, schools, families, businesses and other groups
OLYMPIA – Dec. 21, 2021 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announced the reopening of park retreat centers beginning in spring 2022. On Jan. 3 at 7 a.m., parks will begin accepting retreat center reservations for the 2022 Memorial Day weekend and beyond.
OLYMPIA — As management and operation of the upper campus at Fort Worden Historical State Park returns to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the agency is bringing it into alignment with the other 123 parks in its system.
Learn about ADA recreation at State parks and use our interactive map to find parks with ADA features and amenities.
State Parks is reviewing and updating Lake Sammamish State Park’s Management Plan, which was originally completed in 2004.
Monofilament recycling program information in Washington State Parks. Learn more about where you can recycle monofilament fishing line at parks.
The diverse resources within Washington State Parks offer a variety of research opportunities. Conducting research in a state park requires a research permit.
OLYMPIA — Operations of the Lifelong Learning Center campus at Fort Worden Historical State Park (Fort Worden) is returning to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (State Parks) in early October. While Fort Worden is a state park, a large part of the campus has primarily been co-managed by the Fort Worden Public Development Authority (FWPDA) for more than a decade.
State Parks closes parts of Bowman Bay to protect the new pup
OLYMPIA – Feb. 4, 2022 – Washington State Parks announces the birth of a new northern elephant seal at Deception Pass State Park.
The birth took place on Jan. 31 at Bowman Bay in the park. The pup's mother is one of a small family of elephant seals that visits Whidbey and Fidalgo islands frequently and is well known to residents. This is her first pup.
Individuals can give back to their community by volunteering at their local state parks. A variety of short- and long-term opportunities are available based on the unique needs of each park.
The Winter Recreation (Sno-Park) Advisory Committee assists and advises the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission in the development of winter recreation facilities and programs
Ring in the New Year with Washington State Parks! First Day Hikes offer an experience for everyone to get outside and enjoy our beautiful state parks.