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Storm damage prompts Wallace Falls, Squak Mountain closures

SEATTLE – Several Washington state parks near Seattle sustained significant damage during the “Bomb Cyclone” storm of Nov. 19, forcing the closure of two popular parks.

Wallace Falls

Customer survey

Washington State Parks has two ongoing customer feedback surveys. One is for daytime-only park visitors and the other for those who stay overnight. We hope everyone who visits our parks will let us know about their experiences so we can keep working to improve our parks for everyone.

Beach Hazards

Washington's coastal state parks are gems full of beauty and wonders to discover. They are also dynamic environments that come with their share of danger. Calm ocean waters may be deceptive!

Special Activities Permit

Washington State Parks are popular spots for weddings, company picnics, community festivals, scouting events, and organized recreational events such as adventure races and fun runs.

Waikiki Beach Concert Series: Bruce Thomas Smith

Join us to enjoy Bruce Thomas Smith's music in the Waikiki Beach Concert Series at Cape Disappointment State Park.

Lake Sylvia reopens after summer construction, improvements

OLYMPIA — Lake Sylvia State Park in Montesano has reopened for camping and day-use after undergoing construction and improvements.

American Roots Concert Series

Now in its 19th year, this popular summer concert series at Deception Pass State Park is a celebration of America's wide variety of musical traditions.

Waikiki Beach Concert Series

Music and great memories await you this summer! Enjoy performances by a wide variety of musical groups at Waikiki Beach in beautiful Cape Disappointment State Park.

Ubuntu Sankofa Festival

Join us to celebrate West African culture and heritage with ADEFUA African music and dance at Meadow Shelter, Lake Sammamish State Park on August 30, 2025!

Metal Detecting

Searching for valuable objects with a metal detector is a fun, easy outdoor activity. Metal detecting is permitted at more than 30 state parks throughout Washington.

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.

A conversation with Parks Natural Resources Manager, Andrea Thorpe, PhD

Whenever we have a question about the non-human life in our parks, we ping our Natural Resources Manager, Dr. Andrea Thorpe. She recently sat down to answer questions about herself, her job and advice for women and girls seeking STEM careers.

Celebrating Mien and Cambodian culture

We can’t take you to Southeast Asia, but we’re excited to bring the area’s mountain cultures to Saltwater State Park this month at the Cambodian and Mien Cultural Festivals, hosted by Parks’ Folk and Traditional Arts Program.

Where to see wildflowers — and avoid the crowds

Wildflower season is upon us! Between April and August, several state parks have impressive shows. Check them out!

Mountain Melodies Concert Series

Singing, dancing and alpine air! This concert series at Lake Wenatchee State Park features performances by great musicians and dancers amid the majestic mountain lake views.

Remote Controlled Aircraft Permit

State parks allows the use of remote-controlled aircraft, also known as drones or unmanned aircraft systems, on a limited basis. Permits are required for each instance of use.

Junior Ranger Program: Fort Flagler

The Junior Ranger programs at Washington State Parks offer an exciting adventure for kids aged 4 to 12, combining fun and learning as they dive into the wonders of nature and history.

Junior Ranger Program: Fort Worden

The Junior Ranger programs at Washington State Parks offer an exciting adventure for kids aged 4 to 12, combining fun and learning as they dive into the wonders of nature and history.

Friends Groups

Our friends groups play an invaluable role in helping to protect, preserve and promote their local state parks. These non-profit groups support parks in a variety of ways including fundraising, leading volunteer projects, conducting interpretive programs, planning special events and much more.

EarthCorps' international crew restores trail at Larrabee

A group of valiant environmentalists from EarthCorps braved the cold to begin work on a project that would change the landscape of Larrabee State Park.

Best places to camp when planning your clam digging adventure

Did you know that Washington state parks are a perfect place to stay on your clam digging adventures?

New bypass reconnects two communities on Palouse to Cascades Trail

Landowners open bypass to trail users between Ralston and Marengo

OLYMPIA – Feb. 28, 2023 – Next month an eastern Washington section of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail will become more contiguous, allowing trail users to avoid a 19-mile road detour between Ralston and Marengo.

The new Cow Creek Trestle Bypass will open seasonally from March 1 to Oct. 31, thanks to a mutual agreement between State Parks and private landowners, TDH Properties.

Arbor Crew goes out on a limb for trees 

State Parks’ professional arbor crew blends science, technology and tree work for public safety and conservation.

“What is your earliest tree memory?” Washington State Parks Arborist Mik Miazio once asked visitors at Millersylvania.  

Most recalled climbing trees or eating fruit from neighboring orchards. Grandparents’ houses and childhood backyards were common themes.  

Trees and forest ecosystems are among Washington’s icons, and many nature lovers equate the outdoors with trees. 

A fresh look inside Fort Worden's Commanding Officer’s Quarters Museum

And a brief accounting of the hard work that has made it amazing!

By Kelsey Lang, Interpretive Specialist, Fort Worden State Park

My oh, my! It’s been a busy fall, winter and spring at the Commanding Officer’s Quarters Museum. But before diving into recent developments, let’s rewind a bit. On January 1, 2024, Fort Worden State Park officially assumed operations of the museum from its previous steward, the Jefferson County Historical Society.

SARDIS Raptors Presentation

Come join us on Thursday July 3rd, 2025 at 3:00pm at the Wildlife Theater in Birch Bay State Park to learn about Raptors and see live birds!

Paddle with an Interpretive Ranger at Riverside

Join us for a free guided paddle on the beautiful Spokane River with a Riverside State Park Interpretive Ranger! This 5-mile flatwater paddle begins at Plese Flats and ends at 9 Mile Dam, offering a chance to learn about the park’s natural and cultural history along the way.