The Parks headquarters Information Center is moving from its current location in Tumwater to the Department of Ecology building at 300 Desmond Drive SE in Lacey. Our customer service team is located at the front desk, just inside the main entrance.
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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.
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.
OLYMPIA – Ring in the new year with Washington State Parks during our annual First Day Hikes event on Jan. 1, 2024.
More than 40 state parks will host staff-led and self-guided hikes, snowshoe excursions, dog walks, bike and trail rides, paddle adventures and more on New Year’s Day.
OLYMPIA – November 15, 2022 - Washington State Parks is inviting the public to ring in the new year during its annual First Day Hikes event on Jan. 1, 2023.
At least 40 state parks will host staff-led and self-guided hikes, snowshoe excursions, bike rides and more on New Year's Day.
An angler casts her line into a glassy lake, and a sweater-clad camper sips a steaming mug of coffee. They gaze out, admiring the last tendrils of mist on the water as the rising sun plays on the amber hills above. Welcome to mornings at Pearrygin Lake.
Snoqualmie Tunnel to Royal City cut-off, 107 miles
The Central section of the PTCT begins at the Snoqualmie Tunnel and continues east through Ellensburg, over the Columbia River on the recently renovated and reopened Beverly Bridge and ends at Royal City Cut-off (milepost 2010).
The Central section of the PTCT begins at the Snoqualmie Tunnel and continues east through Ellensburg, over the Columbia River on the recently renovated and reopened Beverly Bridge and ends at Royal City Cut-off (milepost 2010).
Join Park staff at the secluded Griffiths-Priday State Park in Copalis Beach and walk through the coastal forest of shore pine and Sitka spruce along Connor Creek eventually winding down the bluff onto the ocean beach.
Come learn about Mushroom Foraging 101 with Pam Borso, from the Native Plant Society! It is at the BP Heron Center at Birch Bay State Park, 1pm - 3pm on Sunday November 3rd, 2024.
North Bend area to Snoqualmie Pass Tunnel, 18 miles
The West section of the PTCT is also the most improved for recreational use. This section starts in King County at the Cedar Falls Trailhead (milepost 2136) and continues east to the 2.3-mile-long Snoqualmie Tunnel (milepost 2117).
The West section of the PTCT is also the most improved for recreational use. This section starts in King County at the Cedar Falls Trailhead (milepost 2136) and continues east to the 2.3-mile-long Snoqualmie Tunnel (milepost 2117).
Visitors will see intermittent closures on three trails this summer
ISSAQUAH – Beginning this week, visitors will see construction activity on lower Issaquah Creek at Lake Sammamish State Park.
OLYMPIA – Oct. 05, 2021 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold special commission meeting on Wed., Oct. 6. The purpose of this October 6 special meeting is for the commission to receive and evaluate complaints brought against a public officer or employee, to determine if the commission needs to prescribe additional measures and for the executive committee to seek additional directions or delegations from the commission as needed.
Parks planners will discuss possible modifications to conserve critical habitats
OLYMPIA – March 14, 2022 – Washington State Parks invites the public to attend a virtual meeting to learn about plans for expansion of the Klickitat Trail State Park in Klickitat County.
Members of the public can participate in the meeting by using the link or call-in information below.
WHEN:
1:30 p.m.– 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 29
Trees are ever-present above us when visiting or camping in the forest. Yet, too often, we are unaware of the risks associated with trees. Trees and branches can fall at any time and at any location for lots of reasons, including weather, age, fire, damage and disease.
OLYMPIA — As a member of the Washington Clean Coast Alliance, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is proud to co-host the annual Washington Coast Cleanup on Saturday, April 19. This vital event brings together volunteers to help protect and preserve Washington’s coastline.
This year’s cleanup will take place at 10 state parks, including Cape Disappointment, Fort Flagler, Fort Townsend, Fort Worden, Grayland Beach, Mystery Bay, Ocean City, Pacific Beach, Shine Tidelands and Twin Harbors.
The Klickitat Trail runs 31 miles through stunning Columbia River Gorge country between Lyle and the Goldendale plateau. As it leaves the Columbia to follow the Klickitat River, the gentle trail leads cyclists, hikers, birders and, in some places, equestrians through dramatic Swale Canyon.
In 2014, the Bridle Trails Park Foundation began conversations with Washington State Parks about funding the design and construction of an environmental education building in the park. 2022 brought the formal presentation of a dedicated indoor educational program space for members of the community to experience the park regardless of weather or physical abilities, as well as an indoor park office where the Park Ranger can connect with visitors.
Olympia – May 14, 2024 – The Washington State Parks (Parks) Folk and Traditional Arts Program (FTAP) has announced their summer lineup of concerts and festivals, including a new concert series in Central Washington and a new cultural festival at Lake Sammamish.
OLYMPIA – May 3, 2022 – On May 1, Washington State Parks began managing more than 15 recreation sites owned by Avista Utilities. The properties sit around the Spokane River, Nine Mile Dam, Lake Spokane and Long Lake Dam.
According to a new five-year agreement, State Parks will operate the Avista sites as part of Riverside State Park. The land parcels, which total 2,000 acres, include six trailheads, two water access sites, two overlooks,10 boat-in campsites and one picnic area on Lake Spokane.
The trailheads are:
MONTESANO – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will lower the water level of Lake Sylvia by approximately five feet on June 23 to relieve pressure on the aging Lake Sylvia dam. The lowering process could take up to a week to complete.
The Lake Sylvia dam, which was built around 1918, is showing signs of age and requires maintenance work. Lowering the level of the lake will alleviate stress on the dam, ensure visitor safety and allow State Parks and its partners to continuing monitoring the structure while preparing for next steps.
A dizzying mile-long switchback trail takes you up 848-foot Beacon Rock, but that’s not the only way to a tip-top experience. Rock climbing and hiking to waterfalls are the rage at this park, where there are plenty of vantage points for eagle-eye views. Cyclists and horseback riders also will find trails to the vistas from Hamilton Mountain saddle, and boaters can delight in the majesty of Beacon Rock from the Columbia River.
OLYMPIA — Significant septic failures led to the closure of the cabins and other buildings in the beach area of Cama Beach State Park in February 2024.
One of the foremost cultural and business ambassadors between the Northwest United States and Japan in the mid-1800s, MacDonald helped shaped the policies that opened relations between the two countries.
This entire gorge is famous for its wind and water sports, and Doug's Beach is a coveted spot. The winds can be fierce, whipping the river into a white-capped frenzy. Kite boarding and windsurfing success at this site comes with bragging rights and respect; it is rated as expert and is only recommended for those who are properly trained, skilled and equipped.
Boaters should check project schedule before planning overnight trips
OLYMPIA – April 29, 2022 – Washington State Parks will begin contracted mooring buoy repair work in the San Juan Islands beginning Monday, May 2 and on the eastern Olympic Peninsula beginning Wednesday, June 1. The agency will repair 82 buoys that are currently unsatisfactory and unusable. The months-long maintenance project will service salvageable state-owned, public mooring buoys to ensure they are in top condition for boaters.