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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Steptoe Battlefield State Park Heritage Site preserves a significant site in the running battle that occurred on May 17, 1858, between allied Indigenous warriors under the leadership of Chief Kamiakin (Yakama/ Palús) and US Army soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Steptoe. The battle was a significant victory for the Indigenous warriors in their drive to protect their way of life against the incursion of American colonists into their homelands.
FORKS — Visitors and campers heading to Bogachiel State Park will need to prepare for limited water availability for the remainder of the season.
Due to low water levels in the park’s well, potable water will be limited to use by registered campers only. Day-use visitors are asked to come prepared with their own water. Restrooms will remain open, however the park’s showers, dump station and RV tank filling water stations are closed.
OLYMPIA – Jan. 11, 2023 – This month, Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Ali Raad of Thurston County as the newest member of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
In the evening by lamp-light, Willie was buried here November 26, 1855.
Willie Keil Grave State Park Heritage Site commemorates a tale that is legendary for its strangeness, its example of devotional love for a departed son, and for its story of a father’s promise kept.
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."
Spokane County Parks, Recreation, and Golf
State Parks is seeking input on a proposal to amend an easement and update the land classifications of a portion of the property associated with the Spokane River Centennial Trail adjacent to the Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex in Spokane County.
The Central, 107 mile section of the PTCT begins at the Snoqualmie Tunnel and continues east through Ellensburg, over the Columbia River on the recently renovated and reopened Beverly Bridge and ends at Royal City Cut-off (milepost 2010).
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.
Goldendale Observatory State Park Heritage Site offers visitors an opportunity to peer through a telescope to glimpse other worlds far beyond planet Earth, thanks to the dedication of people who generously gave their time and skill to build a 24.5-inch telescope for the sole purpose of providing the public an extraordinary experience.
An Observatory for the Public
In 1960, four men in Vancouver, WA came together to pursue their dream of building a telescope.
Clayton Beach access trail closes Nov. 1 until late spring of 2023
OLYMPIA – Oct. 27, 2022 – Larrabee State Park is getting an exciting renovation this winter that will significantly improve safety and access to Clayton Beach.
State Parks is building a new bridge over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad track, which, supported by a new trail reconfiguration, will provide safe passage between this popular beach and the Lost Lake parking lot.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is moving its headquarters out of Tumwater to collocate with the Department of Ecology at its building in Lacey.
Customers who prefer to visit the agency’s Information Center in person can visit the new location — 300 Desmond Dr. SE, Lacey, WA, 98503 — beginning June 2.
Key Peninsula Historical Society presents the Early Days of Penrose Camping.
Steptoe Butte, or Eomoshtoss, rises high above the rolling hills of the Palouse country, an impressive landmark with many stories to tell.
PASCO – Sacajawea Historical State Park welcomes this year’s Heritage Day, a celebration with living history reenactments, hands-on workshops, demonstrations and learning fun, back to the park this month.
The family-friendly event, which is free and open to the public, will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28. This date is also National Public Lands Day and a Discover Pass free day.
Formed by Glacial Meltwaters
Pearrygin Lake owes its existence to a quirk in the timing of melting glaciers. At the close of the Pleistocene ice age around 13,000 years ago, the huge Methow Valley glacier responsible for deepening the U-shaped Methow Valley persisted later than the tongues of ice that had flowed into the Chewack River Valley from a giant ice cap centered in today’s British Columbia.
Application period closes May 10
OLYMPIA – April 20, 2023 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) will establish a statewide Scenic Bikeways program. As part of that effort, the agency will establish an advisory task force to work with agency staff throughout the development and implementation of this new program.
“…it still looks the same as it did when I came here to visit 70 years ago…” --Dorette Rothschild Lemon, 2010
Warden to the Idaho border, 126 miles
The East section of the PTCT is the most variable and remote section requiring pre-registration before you visit. This section includes several areas that are closed to public access, requiring detours and more involved trip planning and support.
The East section of the PTCT is the most variable and remote section requiring pre-registration before you visit. This section includes several areas that are closed to public access, requiring detours and more involved trip planning and support.
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.
An angler casts her line into a glassy lake, and a sweater-clad camper sips a steaming mug of coffee. They gaze out, admiring the last tendrils of mist on the water as the rising sun plays on the amber hills above. Welcome to mornings at Pearrygin Lake.
This social camping park pulses with life in the summer. Generations of families return to the blue lake every year; they even try to book the same campsite they've used since the 1960s and '70s. But, while they'll jockey online for their favorite spot, veteran Chelan-goers happily share this gem with first-timers, and many lifelong friendships begin there.
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.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) has implemented changes to its Foster Family Program to provide more families with the opportunity to camp and enjoy parks.
North Bend area to Snoqualmie Pass Tunnel, 18 miles
The West section of the PTCT is also the most improved for recreational use. This section starts in King County at the Cedar Falls Trailhead (milepost 2136) and continues east to the 2.3-mile-long Snoqualmie Tunnel (milepost 2117).
The West section of the PTCT is also the most improved for recreational use. This section starts in King County at the Cedar Falls Trailhead (milepost 2136) and continues east to the 2.3-mile-long Snoqualmie Tunnel (milepost 2117).