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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OLYMPIA – May 31, 2022 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a special meeting on Wed., June 1. The purpose of this special meeting is for the Commission to hold an executive session with the agency's assigned legal counsel to discuss potential litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i).
If you happen to be hiking in Federation Forest, Millersylvania, Lewis and Clark or any number of lowland state parks in Western Washington, and you see a funky little tree that looks like a cross between a giant bonsai and a miniature conifer, it might be a Pacific yew tree.
Lake Sammamish State Park is getting a much-needed renovation at Sunset Beach. This heavily used day-use area will have improved ADA access trails, an upgraded event space, new picnic shelters, and small covered shelters near the playground for caregivers to observe the play area.
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Program will hold its annual summer funding meetings for both the Snowmobile Advisory Committee (SMAC) and the Winter Recreation Advisory Committee (WRAC) in early August.
Each meeting is open to the public and the community is invited to attend.
OLYMPIA – Jan. 25, 2023 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Winter Recreation Program will be hosting two in-person only advisory committee meetings in the coming weeks for both the Winter Recreation Advisory Committee and the Snowmobile Advisory Committee. Members of the public are invited to attend.
"Capture the New Year" Photography Scavenger Hunt
Capture the New Year at Sacajawea State Park! Join Interpretive Ranger Mary for a photography scavenger hunt around the day-use area. Warm up with a hot drink, toast marshmallows on the patio, and enjoy the beauty of the Snake-Columbia Confluence in winter!
Capture the New Year at Sacajawea State Park! Join Interpretive Ranger Mary for a photography scavenger hunt around the day-use area. Warm up with a hot drink, toast marshmallows on the patio, and enjoy the beauty of the Snake-Columbia Confluence in winter!
Looking for new day-trip experiences or traveling across the state? In the heart of Washington (Kittitas County specifically), you will find three of our parks – perfect for those wanting to check off a few on their must-visit list or newbie hikers looking to hit an easy-rated trail.
Each year, Parks is the welcome recipient of over 190,000 volunteer hours and over 5,000 volunteers. Volunteers from all over the state participate in a variety of volunteer opportunities from trail work and interpretation to habitat restoration and hosting. We would like to thank all our volunteers for their dedication and support.
qatáy/PORT TOWNSEND – The traditional lands of the S'Klallam, known as qatáy, on the present-day beaches of Fort Worden Historical State Park, will welcome traditional canoe families on Fri., July 26. The landing is a stopover on the Power Paddle to Puyallup Youth Canoe Journey.
Construction will impact boat launch use during 2023 halibut, lingcod fishing season
OLYMPIA – March 16, 2023 – Construction is underway for the new Keystone Boat Launch on Whidbey Island. Located near the Keystone Ferry Terminal, the popular launch is part of Fort Casey Historical State Park.
Saturday, May 10th: 10AM-3PM - Columbia Plateau Trail - Cheney Trailhead - Wood Chipping & Brushing
Join us along the Columbia Plateau State Park Trail to trim back encroaching vegetation and utilize the woodchipper to clean it up! We will meet at the Cheney Trailhead and head South on the Columbia Plateau Trail.
Join us along the Columbia Plateau State Park Trail to trim back encroaching vegetation and utilize the woodchipper to clean it up! We will meet at the Cheney Trailhead and head South on the Columbia Plateau Trail.
Boating is a great activity to enjoy the many lakes, rivers, and coastal waters in our beautiful State! Motorized boats, sailboats, and personal water crafts (PWC’s) are just some of the vessels used in our State. Boating offers recreators the opportunity to fish or swim from beyond the shore!
From elephant seals to porpoises, orcas, and whales, Deception Pass State Park is a marvel for marine mammal viewing. Join staff for a guided hike at Rosario on Saturday afternoons in March to discover the wonders of marine mammals at Deception Pass. This hike is roughly 0.5 miles with a 100ft elevation gain. The hike is expected to take 1 hour. This hike is not stroller accessible or ADA.
Friday, May 9th: 10AM-3PM - Columbia Plateau Trail - Amber Lake Trailhead - Wood Chipping & Brushing
Join us along the Columbia Plateau State Park Trail to trim back encroaching vegetation and utilize the woodchipper to clean it up! We will meet at the Amber Lake Trailhead and head North on the Columbia Plateau Trail towards Cheney.
Join us along the Columbia Plateau State Park Trail to trim back encroaching vegetation and utilize the woodchipper to clean it up! We will meet at the Amber Lake Trailhead and head North on the Columbia Plateau Trail towards Cheney.
The Recreational Boating Safety Program maintains a record of boating-related accidents and fatalities in the state.
Puget Sound is full of peninsulas, and most Washingtonians, or people who’ve planned a big trip to Washington, have heard of our famous Olympic Peninsula, the northwestern tip of the Lower 48. But have you heard of the Kitsap Peninsula? More accessible by car or public transport, and dotted with amenity-filled towns, Kitsap is a great destination, with several state parks for all your outdoor needs!
We can’t take you to Southeast Asia, but we’re excited to help three Asian-American communities share their cultural traditions at Lake Sammamish and Saltwater state parks in the next few weeks! The United Communities of Laos, Cambodian, and Iu Mien Cultural Festivals, co-hosted by our Folk & Traditional Arts Program, return this July - August!
Offered to veterans who are Washington state residents with a 30% or greater service-connected disability.
Offered annually to Washington state residents who are 62 years of age or older.
OLYMPIA – Jan. 24, 2023 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is looking for two new volunteers to serve on the Boating Program Advisory Council (BPAC). The new members of the committee must have experience relevant to the program – one position requires a public health and injury prevention background and will serve as the injury prevention specialist. The other position requires a background in recreational boating education.
Saint Patrick may have driven the snakes out of Ireland, but here in Washington State, snakes are an important part of our natural ecosystem.
Come join Park staff as we explore the beautiful old-growth forest that Lewis and Clark State Park has to offer. Participants will learn about the area's rich history as well as the abundant flora/fauna. This scenic hike takes visitors under towering cedar and fir trees strung with lichen and moss, and through a lush understory teeming with ferns. The hike will begin in the CCC kitchen shelter where a warm fire and drinks/snacks will be provided. Enjoy a short show-and-tell session on the local wildlife as hikers are arriving. This year we're implementing an educational scavenger hunt, adding to the fun along the trail! All ages are welcome.
First day hikers are welcome to the Cornet Bay Retreat Center at Deception Pass State Park for a fun morning of hikes. Starting at 9:00 AM, hikers are invited to enjoy warm drinks and snacks. At 9:30 AM hikers will then have the option select their preferred activity based on difficulty level. Hikes range in difficulty from easy to hard. All hikes are on and around Goose Rock and include some of the most popular trails in the park. Hikers can expect to see a variety of wildlife, experience old growth forest, and enjoy amazing views of the Salish Sea and rocky cliffs of Deception Pass.
Offered to Washington State residents who are 62 years or older with an annual income of $40,000 or less.
Your purchase of a Discover Pass helps keep our state recreational lands open and beautiful. It's also an incredible deal!