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"Its grim black walls of basalt frown across a broken chain of linear lakes, some of them as wide as the coulee floor ….. potholes a hundred feet deep in rock, dry cataracts one hundred to four hundred feet high, and river bars one hundred to two hundred feet thick … under the present semiarid climate it lies naked of forest mantle, every detail of its form clearly displayed." -J Harlen Bretz, Geologist
OLYMPIA — One of the most uniquely Washington ways to experience the beauty of the state is to explore it by bike.
So, charged by the Legislature to raise the profile of some of Washington’s most notable cycling routes, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has officially established the statewide Scenic Bikeways Program. This program involves participation from the public who will have the opportunity to nominate routes they think should become Scenic Bikeways.
OLYMPIA — The traditional lands of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, on the present-day beaches of Saltwater State Park, will welcome traditional canoe families on July 26.
DES MOINES – The traditional lands of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe on the present-day beaches of Saltwater State Park will welcome traditional canoe families on July 29.
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.
State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant Program funds $700,000 in new pumpout and floating restroom projects
Recreational boat pumpout facilities expand across the state
OLYMPIA – April 5, 2022 – Recreational boaters in Washington waters will have an easier time disposing of vessel sewage, thanks to more than $700,000 in new federal pass-through grants for recreational boat pumpout and floating restroom projects.
OLYMPIA — Recreational boaters in Washington waters will have an easier time disposing of vessel sewage thanks to nearly $690,000 in new federal pass-through grants for recreational boat pumpout and floating restroom projects.
Awarded by the Washington State Parks Clean Vessel Act Grant Program (CVA), the grants focus on constructing or maintaining sewage disposal systems for recreational vessels, and supporting outreach programs that inform boaters about the location of these facilities.
OLYMPIA – With daytime low tides returning and spring right around the corner, many of Washington’s clam and oyster beaches are now open or will soon reopen for recreational shellfish gathering.
State clam, mussel, and oyster harvesting seasons vary by beach. Regulations and season dates as well as shellfishing tips are available on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website.
OLYMPIA – May 11, 2022 – Recreational boating is a popular pastime in Washington. In fact, several hundred thousand Washington residents own at least one canoe, kayak, rowboat, personal watercraft, stand up paddleboard, drift boat, runabout, sailboat, motor yacht or other recreational vessel. Boats and boaters are everywhere!
Boating, however, is not without risk. The chilly waters of the Pacific Northwest can be unforgiving, and safety must be on the minds of everyone who plays in and around Washington waterways.
OLYMPIA — Lake Sylvia State Park will reopen by the end of 2024, as Washington State Parks (Parks) completes an improvement project at the park’s entrance.
OLYMPIA — Millersylvania State Park is temporarily closed while the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) completes its water testing protocol. The park is anticipated to reopen later this week.
Metal detecting areas vary in each park. Some parks allow detecting in developed public-use areas and unoccupied campsites, while other parks allow detecting in specific areas only.
Washington State Parks is now operating the upper campus of Fort Worden Historical State Park. In the coming months, we will begin a planning process to inform the long-term plan for the upper campus. The parks campgrounds are open and remain available for reservations.
State Parks will engage with the Tribes separately to get an understanding of how they want to participate in future planning.
Book a Washington State Parks Retreat Center for youth groups, schools, families, businesses and other groups
OLYMPIA – Dec. 21, 2021 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announced the reopening of park retreat centers beginning in spring 2022. On Jan. 3 at 7 a.m., parks will begin accepting retreat center reservations for the 2022 Memorial Day weekend and beyond.
OLYMPIA — As management and operation of the upper campus at Fort Worden Historical State Park returns to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the agency is bringing it into alignment with the other 123 parks in its system.