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Schafer State Park preserves the craftsmanship of Depression Era park facilities and provides a window into the story of the Satsop River Valley, dominated by the vast timber harvest operations that were undertaken in its rich forest land beginning in the early 20th Century.

The End of Hood Canal

Belfair State Park features a popular stretch of beach between the mouths of Big Mission Creek and Little Mission Creek at the tip of the hook of Hood Canal. Today’s Belfair State Park was covered by glacial ice during the last ice age. The finger-like waterways of South Puget Sound were excavated by highly pressurized meltwater streams that developed as the ice began to melt.

Rasar State Park lies midway along the Skagit River’s winding path between the rugged North Cascade Mountains and the Salish Sea. The Skagit River, part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, is the second largest river on the west coast of the contiguous United States, after the Columbia. Like much of the Skagit River Valley, the park land is naturally terraced as the river has cut into glacial deposits from the ice age.

Wallace Falls State Park features a lush forest, two lakes and the majestic three-tiered Wallace Falls. Hikers, bikers and campers flock here to experience a pristine nature setting and explore 17 miles of hiking and biking trails.
Squak Mountain State Park offers a peek-a-boo view of Seattle amongst mossy rocks, lichen covered trees, and bubbling creeks. With hiking and horse trails for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities, this day use park less than 15 minutes from Seattle has something for everyone.

Conconully State Park is a favorite camping and fishing place in the arid transition zone of north central Washington. The park is set between the town of Conconully, WA and the north shoreline of the Conconully Reservoir, which stores water from Salmon Creek for flood control and irrigation purposes.

Set deep in the mountains outside of Wenatchee, Squilchuck State Park entices the active adventurer.
Fort Flagler Historical State Park is a camping park surrounded on three sides by saltwater shoreline and offers historic forts, military history and much more.
For a walk on the beach, clamming or camping, Ocean City State Park is the place to go. Smell the salty air, watch the sandpipers, build a sandcastle and fly kites on the soft sand. Relax around a campfire in the forested campground to end a fun-filled beach day.

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regularly scheduled commission meeting virtually on May 29. 

Adjacent to Orcas Island, Doe Island Marine State Park offers quiet marine camping with a short hiking loop.

OLYMPIA  The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regularly scheduled commission meeting virtually on Aug. 27 

Camano Island State Park feels a world away with its forested trails, rocky shoreline and sweeping views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier. Come for a fun and laid back camping weekend filled with boating, hiking, fishing and beach exploration.

We asked the people who make our parks run – our Washington State Parks staff – what parks, recreation and time spent in nature mean to them.

OLYMPIA – April 6, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular in-person commission meeting Thursday, April 14 at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco.

Commission action items include 2023-25 capital budget target request level and proposed modifications to the Klickitat State Park Trail long-term park boundary.

In addition, the commission will hear updates and reports from agency staff and the Washington State Parks Foundation.

Seaquest State Park hugs the shore of Silver Lake in the foothills of Mount St. Helens, famous for its major eruption on May 18, 1980. A major attraction at the park is the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, where the story of the mountain’s volcanic history is interpreted with exhibits, ranger programs and audio-visual media.

Palouse Falls State Park Heritage Site is a 94-acre day use park with dramatic views of the official state waterfall.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge held neighboring property until Parks could buy the land

OLYMPIA – June 15, 2022 – Washington State Parks, with critical assistance from Friends of the Columbia Gorge, purchased a tract of land next to Beacon Rock State Park. That land will be used to create safe, accessible pedestrian crossings, a new entrance and egress and additional parking.

Set along the picturesque Touchet River, Lewis & Clark Trail State Park is an oasis-like forested park surrounded by an arid grassland. With unusual vegetation and geology, the park also offers a rich history. 

A Mountain on an Island

The pinnacle of Moran State Park, Mount Constitution, rises 2,407 feet directly from sea level to the second highest point on an oceanic island in the contiguous 48 US states. The rocks that make up the heights of Mount Constitution began as lava erupting on the ocean floor or slowly accumulating sediments formed by skeletons of marine microorganisms, windblown dust and volcanic ash settling to the ocean floor. The pillow basalts, chert and shale seen at rocky exposures in the park are evidence of these events.

The International Peace Arch is a 67-foot dramatic white arch that rises from the green lawns and flowering gardens on the U.S.-Canada border at Blaine. It is the iconic feature of this Washington Historical State Park, which is devoted to peace and serenity. Peace Arch is unique among parks because it consists of two parks in two countries. The southern half of the park is owned by Washington State Parks and the northern half is owned by British Columbia Parks.

Maryhill State Park is a waterfront camping park right on the Columbia River. Visit for a relaxing camping weekend and experience this area's natural beauty, wonder and cultural history.

The arching bridges that link Fidalgo Island to Whidbey Island are only an introduction to the beauty and fascination of Deception Pass State Park.

Seasonal positions will serve parks across Washington.

OLYMPIA – Jan. 17, 2023 – Washington State Parks is recruiting seasonal park aides to work in its beautiful outdoor places this spring, summer and fall!

Parks is looking for 305 park aides and senior park aides to work from April through September in diverse environments like old-growth forests, channeled scabland and shrub steppe, as well as on Pacific Ocean beaches and the high desert and around Puget Sound and its islands.

Live Music at Birch Bay State Park.