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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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:
Metal detecting is allowed in over 30 state parks. Detecting areas vary by park, from developed public-use areas and unoccupied campsites to designated areas.
A Commercial Use Permit is required for all businesses and non-profit businesses that conduct recreational business activities in a Washington State Park or on State Park managed land.
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Please complete this form to report ADA accessibility barriers at State Parks. Someone from State Parks will contact you about your grievance within 25 calendar days.
OLYMPIA – Lake Sylvia State Park will close June 10 through Sept. 30 for an improvement project at the park’s entrance.
The $2.9 million Capital project will replace a culvert beneath the entrance road with a bridge and a new road. The new bridge will provide safer and more sustainable infrastructure to the park’s entrance, particularly in heavy rain events.
The Winter Recreation Sports Funding program provides funds for services in Washington State Sno-Parks. Funds can be used for the acquisition, development, operation, planning and maintenance of Sno-Park facilities and programs.
While you are out for a stroll in the park, be sure to stop by our Pop-up Exhibits to learn more about the park! Exhibits will rotate between natural resource and history topics.
In 2018, State Parks initiated a planning process to update the land classifications and long-term boundaries at three parks located within the Blue Mountain Area: Palouse Falls, Lyons Ferry, and Lewis and Clark Trail. The Commission adopted the recommended updates to the land classification and long-term boundaries for these three parks in January 2021. Staff is currently developing the management plan for these three parks, which serve as a resource to staff to help implement the plan, as well as provide information that may be of interest to the public.
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OLYMPIA – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, in partnership with Outdoors for All Foundation, is excited to launch a pilot program that offers an Action Trackchair for visitor use at Lake Sammamish State Park.
Do you have gorgeous or interesting photos from your time in state parks? We want to see them! Help us show off our state's beauty by sharing photos taken in our parks, at our heritage sites and on our trails. Washington State Parks uses, with permission, user-generated content on our social media, website and in promotional and retail items.
OLYMPIA – Today at a special meeting, the Fort Worden Public Development Authority’s (PDA) Board of Directors voted to request a dissolution of the organization by the City of Port Townsend (City).
The vote by the PDA initiates the process of dissolving the PDA organization and ending its 50-year lease with the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) to operate the Lifelong Learning Center at Fort Worden State Park.
No Discover Pass is required to park on State Parks, WA State Department of Natural Resources or WA Department of Fish and Wildlife managed lands on September 24
Significant septic and infrastructure failures led to the closure of the cabins and other buildings in the beach area of park in February 2024. Following a public process, the Commission voted in October 2024 to keep the cabins permanently closed where they currently sit.
The Center for Wooden Boats, restrooms in the lower area, the store and park office are also closed.
Day use in the area remains open but restrooms are only available in other parts of the park.
SEATTLE – Several Washington state parks near Seattle sustained significant damage during the “Bomb Cyclone” storm of Nov. 19, forcing the closure of two popular parks.
Wallace Falls
Head out to one of more than 80 state parks where you can fish or harvest shellfish and seaweed in season. Or, enjoy freshwater fishing and harvesting at regularly-stocked state parks lakes and ponds.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and Outdoors for All Foundation announce the second season of Action Trackchair availability at the Adaptive Cycling Center (ACC) starting April 17 at Lake Sammamish State Park.
Volunteers play a vital role in sustaining Washington State Parks, providing more than 190,000 service hours each year. Join the thousands of volunteers that help keep your Washington State Parks the special places they are.
Learn about Washington State Park's sustainability practices and plan.
Learn about launching your watercraft at State parks.
Find contact information for State Parks divisions and programs.
CAMANO ISLAND — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is excited to support the Cama Beach Quilters in hosting their 15th annual quilt show.
This year, the quilt show is moving from Cama Beach Historical State Park to the Camano Commons Marketplace at Terry’s Corner to accommodate more people with improved parking and space for vendors. The new location is also much flatter and more navigable for eventgoers with limited mobility.
New Discover Pass free days honor Indigenous people, Black history, mental health.
OLYMPIA – Nov. 10, 2021 – Washington State Parks has designated the free days in 2022 when visitors will not need a Discover Pass to park at state parks and on recreation lands managed by Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
In 2022, the Discover Pass free days are:
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, but here at Washington State Parks, we appreciate our volunteers all year long!
In 2024, volunteers came out 5,000 strong, from around the country, to help in our parks. They contributed over 176,000 hours of service. They did trail work, habitat restoration, park hosting, interpretive program assistance, fundraising and donating money, educating staff and much more.