Search results

1011 results found

Join staff in fun, family friendly explorations of Deception Pass State Park’s amazing wildlife and unique collection of forest and marine habitats. Programs last 30 minutes and are designed for ages 4 to 12, though all are welcome. Children attending Junior Ranger Programs must be accompanied by an adult.

Lake Sammamish State Park is getting a much-needed renovation at Sunset Beach. This heavily used day-use area will have improved ADA access trails, an upgraded event space, new picnic shelters, and small covered shelters near the playground for caregivers to observe the play area.

View of the new Littell Bridge on the Willapa Hills Trail. OLYMPIA – June 13, 2023 – Plan your next adventure along the Willapa Hills Trail and explore the brand-new multi-use Littell Bridge near the Adna Trailhead.

Each year, Parks is the welcome recipient of over 190,000 volunteer hours and over 5,000 volunteers. Volunteers from all over the state participate in a variety of volunteer opportunities from trail work and interpretation to habitat restoration and hosting. We would like to thank all our volunteers for their dedication and support.

qatáy/PORT TOWNSEND – The traditional lands of the S'Klallam, known as qatáy, on the present-day beaches of Fort Worden Historical State Park, will welcome traditional canoe families on Fri., July 26. The landing is a stopover on the Power Paddle to Puyallup Youth Canoe Journey.

Construction will impact boat launch use during 2023 halibut, lingcod fishing season

OLYMPIA – March 16, 2023 – Construction is underway for the new Keystone Boat Launch on Whidbey Island. Located near the Keystone Ferry Terminal, the popular launch is part of Fort Casey Historical State Park.

Boating is a great activity to enjoy the many lakes, rivers, and coastal waters in our beautiful State! Motorized boats, sailboats, and personal water crafts (PWC’s) are just some of the vessels used in our State. Boating offers recreators the opportunity to fish or swim from beyond the shore!
Kick off the new year with a one-mile walk through history and nature at Fort Flagler! On this family-friendly hike, discover the fort’s role in the past and its purpose today as a state park.

Guided Hike: 10:15am (limit 20 people) with an interpretive ranger

Self-Guided Hike: 10:00am–12:00pm at your own pace (several versions to choose from)

Location: Rec Hall or Theater (check signs on arrival)

Before or after your hike, warm up inside with hot drinks and snacks from the Friends of Fort Flagler and stop by the State Parks booth for First Day Hike pins, Bark Ranger bandanas, Jr. Ranger packets, and more.

Accessibility: The first portion of the guided hike and the self-guided route are ADA accessible. The guided hike includes 60 feet of downhill elevation change along a portion of the Bluff Trail.
When: Friday, August 8th: 8:30AM-12:30PM

Where: Carlson Trailhead, Riverside State Park

From the trailhead, we will make a short ¼ mile hike to our shop space to work on sanding/staining picnic table boards. In addition, there are some fruit trees in the area that could using pruning with use of pole and hand saws.

Puget Sound is full of peninsulas, and most Washingtonians, or people who’ve planned a big trip to Washington, have heard of our famous Olympic Peninsula, the northwestern tip of the Lower 48. But have you heard of the Kitsap Peninsula? More accessible by car or public transport, and dotted with amenity-filled towns, Kitsap is a great destination, with several state parks for all your outdoor needs!

We can’t take you to Southeast Asia, but we’re excited to help three Asian-American communities share their cultural traditions at Lake Sammamish and Saltwater state parks in the next few weeks! The United Communities of Laos, Cambodian, and Iu Mien Cultural Festivals, co-hosted by our Folk & Traditional Arts Program, return this July - August!
Lyons Ferry History Hike
Join Ranger Patti, Ranger Mary, and a local history expert to walk through history at Lyons Ferry State Park! Along the hike, visitors will learn about the historic ferry that brought people across the Snake River for more than a century, the soaring Joso Railroad Trestle Bridge, and the wildlife that calls Lyons Ferry Home. End with smores and hot beverages!
The Recreational Boating Safety Program maintains a record of boating-related accidents and fatalities in the state.

OLYMPIA – Jan. 24, 2023 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is looking for two new volunteers to serve on the Boating Program Advisory Council (BPAC). The new members of the committee must have experience relevant to the program – one position requires a public health and injury prevention background and will serve as the injury prevention specialist. The other position requires a background in recreational boating education.

Offered annually to Washington state residents who are 62 years of age or older.
Proper spacing between trees reduces overcrowding and maintains health and vigor within a forest. This also helps reduce the intensity of wildfires, severe infestations of insects and disease, and competition between the trees for water & nutrients. These benefits extend beyond the State Park boundaries – private landowners who own properties adjacent to the thinned areas will also face a reduced fire risk and enjoy a more diverse forest ecosystem just past their backyards.
Offered to Washington State residents who are 62 years or older with an annual income of $40,000 or less.
Your purchase of a Discover Pass helps keep our state recreational lands open and beautiful. It's also an incredible deal!
Washington state residents who are veterans with a 30% or greater combined service-connected disability can apply for this pass.

OLYMPIA – Nov. 3, 2021 – Pass Lake, a popular destination in Deception Pass State Park, has reopened for winter fishing and recreation.

The lake had closed in August, 2021 when high concentrations of toxic algae were discovered. Recent tests show the waters are back at levels deemed safe for recreation by Washington's Department of Health.

Toxic algae blooms typically start in late summer and are usually caused by excessive nutrients in warm, stagnant waters.

Join us Friday, July 18th from 9:30AM-2:30PM for a variety of trail tasks to be completed around the newly acquired State Park property around the old Bear Creek Lodge on Mt. Spokane. 

Trail Maintenance Tasks:
-Trail brushing along Winter Snow Mobile trails 
-Remove old trail staircase
-Sand/Stain Staircase railing
-Drag trees to create burn/wood chipper piles

With so many lakes, rivers, bays, inlets and ocean shores, it’s no wonder boating, paddling, angling and beach camping are popular in Washington, especially when the weather gets warm.

Washington State Parks manages public boat ramps, docks, launches and mooring buoys, and each has its own pass or permit requirements.

Here is your handy guide to help you determine which passes you may need for your favorite water activity:

Many recreational boaters in Washington are required by law to complete a boating safety course and carry a Washington State Boater Education Card.
Offered to Washington State residents who provide out-of-home care to children as foster parents, caregivers or kinship families.
Wohelo Lodge is nestled in the folds of the Blue Mountains, this southeast Washington frontier has some of our state's most spectacular scenery.