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 – July 6, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular in-person commission meeting Thursday, July 14 at the Swinomish Casino and Lodge in Anacortes.
Commission action items include 2023-25 state grant applications and approval of the 2023-25 operating and capital budgets.
In addition, the commission will hear updates and reports from agency staff and MS2000.
Washington’s Sand Sea
Potholes State Park is set in a unique environment dominated by ancient sand dunes and a modern irrigation reservoir.
In the final stages of the most recent ice age, masses of glacial ice repeatedly blocked meltwater drainage, creating huge bodies of impounded water in northern Washington, Idaho and Montana. When the ice dams melted or were breached by the sheer weight of water behind them, gigantic Ice Age floods swept over the landscape.
Penrose Point is a richly forested 237-acre marine park with nearly 2 miles of Puget Sound shoreline, 2-1/2 miles of trails, overnight moorage, picnic sites and a shady campground, make this park an excellent destination for both relaxation and adventure! Come for a day or stay for a weekend to immerse yourself in nature, and unwind
Steptoe Battlefield State Park Heritage Site is a three-acre day use park in Rosalia that commemorates an 1858 battle between U.S. Army forces and Native American tribes.
Picture yourself walking your dog down a peaceful beach on a Wednesday evening or at the same beach on a Saturday afternoon, wiping ice cream off your kids’ faces. If these thoughts make you smile, Tolmie could be your state park.
Alta Lake State Park is located on the shores of an unusual body of water. Its namesake lake, perched 1,166 feet above sea level inside a meandering trench between the Methow and Chelan valleys, has no visible inlet or outlet.
Hidden in plain sight, this park offers miles of forested hiking and biking trails, but its main draw is the beach. Whether you're out for an afternoon or a camping trip, you'll be delighted by this oasis tucked between two urban hubs.
While much of James Island Marine State Park is designated a Natural Forest Area and is closed to public access, there is plenty of open territory to explore on this water access-only island. Enjoy the emerald coves, forested trails, spectacular views and an isthmus with two white sand beaches.
Willapa Hills State Park Trail spans 56 miles east-west between Chehalis in Lewis County and South Bend in Pacific County. Pedestrians, equestrians, cyclists and skaters can experience scenic views of Willapa Valley, rivers, farms and small towns along the way.
Lake Wenatchee owes its existence to giant glaciers that widened and deepened the headwaters of the Wenatchee River. Gravel and rock carried in the glacier was deposited at the glacier’s end, forming a moraine, a natural dam to impound the lake. Lake Wenatchee State Park is situated on that moraine.
Located on Harstine Island, Jarrell Cove is a saltwater haven with excellent opportunities for swimming, camping and overnight boat moorage. This park is rife with with opportunities for bird and wildlife watching, offering walks through dense tree stands and along placid, opal-colored water.
GIG HARBOR – After more than a year of extensive renovations to improve the beloved community park, Kopachuck State Park in Gig Harbor will reopen on Aug. 2 with a public open house and celebration event.
Deception Pass Park Foundation and Washington State Parks offer fun activities to ring in the new year
OLYMPIA – Dec. 1, 2021 – The Deception Pass Park Foundation and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invite the public to ring in the new year with an extra special New Year's weekend experience at Deception Pass State Park.
Step back in time at Fort Casey Historical State Park. Ignite your curiosity in the historic military batteries and 1903 lighthouse, with its own interpretive center and gift shop. Soak in the stunning views, fly a kite, fish or explore the beach at this central west side Whidbey Island gem.
“To know the land, one must feel it out inch by inch with the feet.” –Harvey Manning
A generous land donation and the hard work of community activists has ensured that Squak Mountain State Park will be an enduring piece of wilderness close to the homes of millions of urban residents.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regularly scheduled commission meeting virtually on Wednesday, Nov. 15.
Commission meeting items include a camping inventory update from Parks Director Diana Dupuis that covers use and trends at existing camping areas. The Commission will also hear a financial update and discuss its December planning meeting.
On Oct. 16, 1805, the Corps of Discovery arrived at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia rivers, the site of today’s Sacajawea Historical State Park.
This unique park features a rare sand spit enclosed by a saltwater lagoon and is located on Lopez Island. Camp at large, private campsites, open beachside sites or one of the group camps. Enjoy water activities including kayaking, paddle boarding, crabbing, clamming and fishing.
Nolte State Park preserves a forest sanctuary surrounding Deep Lake, favored for swimming and picnicking on hot summer days. The lake’s attractively cool waters are due to its 76-foot depth and cold water coming into the lake from Deep Creek, with its headwaters in the 3,000-foot-high foothills of the Cascade Mountains.
The lake has no outlet, as outflow percolates through gravels left as meltwater outwash from the great Ice Age glaciers that filled the Puget Sound lowlands.
Surrounded by idyllic forest on the shore of Mayfield Lake. Enjoy swimming, boating, hiking, fishing, kayaking and nature watching or just sitting around a campfire taking in the lush natural surroundings.
Hike a trail that meanders through a forest, around freshwater lakes, saltwater marshes and ocean tidelands. The beaches at Cape Disappointment lure kite flyers, sandcastle builders, and nature explorers.
The 40-mile Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail weaves together rural, urban, and park landscapes filled with stories of land and people. The trail stretches through the Spokane River Valley, meandering from the Idaho/Washington state line to Riverside State Park.
A small day-use park adjacent to the expansive Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, Leadbetter Point is full of natural wonders and abundant wildlife. Discover the dynamic beauty of Washington’s coast and inland forest while birdwatching or just exploring in this thriving preserved coastal forest habitat.
Spanning two islands and connected by a series of iconic bridges, Deception Pass features a mix of rugged ocean cliffs and quiet old growth forests. Best known for its panoramic views and jaw-dropping sunsets, this park is a go-to for locals and international travelers alike.
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is updating its camping and moorage fees for 2025 to support its operations amid inflation impacts and rising costs.