Search results

1200 results found

OLYMPIA — Washington State Parks needs the help of its visitors to stop the spread of invasive pests that can cause significant damage to our forests. 

State parks have a wide variety of natural native and planted non-native trees and forests, which puts them at risk for almost every worrisome invasive pest. Parks are of particular concern because they welcome visitors from all over the state and country who often bring their own camping supplies for their stay. This includes the main culprit for invasive pest transfer: firewood. 

Brooks Memorial sits between the pine forests of the Simcoe Mountains and the Columbia River Gorge. This environmental diversity makes for a stunning park site. The miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails lead along the Little Klickitat River and up through Ponderosa pine and stands of Oregon white oak.

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Parks Folk and Traditional Arts Program (FTAP) and Kirkland-based non-profit Ubuntu Nerudo will partner to hold the second-annual Ubuntu Nerudo African Heritage Festival at Lake Sammamish State Park next month.

Ali RaadOLYMPIA – 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.

…a seacoast fortification may be said to have most efficiently performed the function for which it was intended, if it is never called into action at all.

                                                                                  -Eben Eveleth Winslow, US Army Corps of Engineers

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.

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."

The Boring Volcanic Field

Battle Ground Lake is a part of a geologic formation called the Boring Volcanic Field (named for the town of Boring, OR), but the stories revealed in its bedrock are actually quite interesting!

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. 

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.

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.

Want to build a snowman? Hike? Go sledding? Choose your own winter wonderland adventure this Jan. 1 at Fields Spring State Park!
Calling all pups! Bring your people for a day of food, fun and walkies this New Year's Day at Sacajawea Historical State Park
Key Peninsula Historical Society presents the Early Days of Penrose Camping.

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.

Washington State Parks will lead the hike along with our Klickitat Trail Conservancy partners. 3 mile hike, 1.5 in and 1.5 back on crushed gravel trail that is moderately flat and less than 1 percent grade.

Steptoe Butte, or Eomoshtoss, rises high above the rolling hills of the Palouse country, an impressive landmark with many stories to tell.

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

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.

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.
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.



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.

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.