Search results

995 results found

Millersylvania State Park History

Hugging the shore of 17-foot-deep Deep Lake, Millersylvania State Park is notable for its many well-preserved park structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Rainbow Falls State Park

Rainbow Falls State Park is a 129-acre camping park on the Chehalis River. A variety of campsites and a tranquil river setting make this a popular overnight stay for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders tackling the Willapa Hills Trail.

Virtual State Parks Learning Opportunities

​​​​​​Explore Washington State Parks from where you are! We are committed to providing virtual learning opportunities that connect students and families to Washington State Parks.

Birch Bay State Park

Set in a blue cove between Bellingham and Blaine, Birch Bay State Park gives you a private and secluded feel without being too far from urban life.

Reed Island State Park

Reed Island State Park is a marine day use park located on the Columbia River, east of Vancouver. Boat in for a rustic park experience, relax on the sandy beach and grassy meadows. You may catch a glimpse of the herons that call this island home. There are no services here.

Potlatch State Park

Set on a rocky estuary shoreline, Potlatch combines the delights of the sea and land. Mature pine forest gives way to sweeping views of the Hood Canal at this classic Western Washington park.

Visiting state parks by motorcycle

While some prefer to see the state by car, tour bus or RV, Rajesh Pillai had a different plan. Rajesh, a program manager from Bothell, Washington, set out on an adventure to see all auto-accessible Washington state parks by motorcycle.

Daroga State Park

Located off Hwy 97 between Winthrop and Wenatchee, Daroga State Park is a lush green oasis nestled among the dry, rolling hills of Central Washington. Enjoy dramatic views, a calm lagoon ideal for beginner swimmers and paddlers, scenic walking trails and a relaxing beach area. The nearby Columbia River offers exciting opportunities for boaters and water sports enthusiasts.

Mystery Bay State Park

Mystery Bay State Park is a hidden escape on the west side of Marrowstone Island. Drive or boat in for a day of fun on the water and take in views of the Olympic Mountains over a sunset picnic dinner.

Sequim Bay State Park

Set in one of the driest microclimates west of the Cascade Mountains, Sequim Bay State Park dwells in the Olympic rain shadow, making it the perfect place for a day visit or off-season camping.

State Parks Commission to meet in Chelan

OLYMPIA – Nov. 8, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular in-person commission meeting Thursday, Nov. 17 at Campbell's Resort in Chelan.

Commission action items include the proposed transfer of Riverside State Park – Sontag Park to Nine Mile Falls School District and the proposed transfer of portions of Nisqually State Park to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

Lake Easton State Park

Located between Seattle and Ellensburg off I-90, Lake Easton State Park is a magnet for urbanites who have limited time for escapes. The park is also far enough east to (sometimes) see sun when Seattle is shrouded in gray.

Twanoh State Park History

Twanoh State Park is a delightful place on the southern reach of Hood Canal.  Its attractive beach at the mouth of cold, clear Twanoh Creek has long attracted people.

Rainbow Falls State Park History

Rainbow Falls State Park, a peaceful haven in an oasis of old-growth forest, was established early in the growth of the Washington State Park system. The park was envisioned to be one of the “natural beauty spots untouched by civilization and the greed of man” that Governor Roland H. Hartley and others believed would make an ideal state park.

A nephew’s adventures in state parks, part 3: Maryhill and Goldendale Observatory State Parks

By Holly Sproul (Parks Forms Manager & Web Specialist) & Nephew Evan (Age 9) 

Maryhill State Park History

Maryhill State Park provides recreational opportunities on a landscape that has hosted a wide diversity of human endeavors over the ages. The park is located in the eastern gateway to the Columbia River Gorge, which features some of the most dramatic scenery in Washington.

The Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is a product of geologic processes that have affected much of today’s Washington State.

Joseph Whidbey State Park

Joseph Whidbey State Park is a day use park on the west shore of Whidbey Island with expansive views of Victoria, B.C., Lopez Island, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Take in a spectacular sunset, kick a ball around, or roam the beach with your kids.

Pearrygin Lake State Park

Pearrygin Lake State Park is a perfect escape to enjoy camping, hiking, swimming, or even snowshoeing and Nordic skiing. With 1,186 acres to enjoy, you’ll have to find a way to be bored here.

Saltwater State Park History

Saltwater State Park provides access to the shores and undersea gardens of Puget Sound in the midst of one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. The woodsy ravine behind the beach can be explored on miles of trails, and visitors enjoy camp life just minutes from the homes of millions of people.

Obstruction Pass State Park History

Learn about the history of Obstruction Pass State Park.

Lake Sammamish State Park

Close to Seattle, Lake Sammamish State Park offers two swimming beaches, trails, volleyball courts, soccer fields and more. Here, you’ll enjoy outdoor family time off the urban grid.

Beacon Rock State Park

Overlooking the Columbia River, Beacon Rock State Park is a great destination for hiking, technical climbing, horseback riding, and biking. There are endless year-round vantage points to take in the extraordinary Columbia River Gorge views.

Tolmie State Park History

Tolmie State Park provides access to the shores and undersea gardens of southern Puget Sound. The winding saltwater passageways of the South Sound, including Nisqually Reach in front of the park, were molded and scoured by glacial meltwaters at the close of the Pleistocene ice age.

Skagit Island Marine State Park

Skagit Island Marine State park is a 25-acre island with marine camping in Skagit Bay. Located within kayaking distance of Cornet Bay in Deception Pass State park, this little island has it all.

Try backpacking at a state park

Several Washington state parks have primitive sites for folks arriving by foot or by bike. They can provide a gentle introduction to backpacking before you shoulder a 40lb pack and walk into the wild.