Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission

Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission No matter how you connect with nature, Parks is here to welcome you into the wild, wonderful outdoors to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday), and as resources allow.

Washington State Parks protects some of the most diverse — and most beautiful — lands in the country. From ocean beaches to mountain waterfalls, hiking trails to swimming areas, Washington’s state parks welcome you to explore a wide variety of outdoor recreation and experience the state’s most iconic and breathtaking natural wonders. Mission
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission car

es for Washington's most treasured lands, waters, and historic places. State parks connect all Washingtonians to their diverse natural and cultural heritage and provide memorable recreational and educational experiences that enhance their lives. Vision
Washington's state parks will be cherished destinations with natural, cultural, recreational, artistic, and interpretive experiences that all Washingtonians enjoy, appreciate, and proudly support.

-Social Media Comment Policy-

We welcome comments from the public to encourage a productive community dialog about state parks news, events, programs, activities, conditions, alerts and other matters related to state parks and recreation in Washington. Our social media channels provide a limited forum for public engagement. Information on the our social media pages are not a substitute for legal or official notice by the agency. Comments posted by users are not considered legal or official notice. Our Communications staff monitor agency social media channels during business hours (8 a.m. We do not monitor the page 24 hours a day and will respond to public comments as quickly as possible. Comments from the public should be on topic. The views expressed in comments reflect those of the author. We reserve the right to hide or remove comments as well as block offenders at its discretion for comments that:

-Are unrelated to topics posted by Washington State Parks
-Use offensive, abusive, vulgar, obscene, racist, sexist, homophobic, threatening, or harassing language, photos or other content
-Use language that includes libel, slander or personal attacks against individuals, organizations, agencies or programs
-Include unsupported accusations or false information
-Are solicitations, commercial or political endorsements, advertisements, spam or comments promoting services or products
-Share private, personal or protected information
-Contain copyrighted or other proprietary materials
-Incite or suggest violent action against others
-Suggest or encourage illegal, dangerous or destructive activity

Removal of inappropriate content and comments posted by outside users on agency social media sites shall be retained with a record of that contributor’s name, date and time the content was edited or removed. The records should be retained in such a manner that they can be deleted after meeting the required retention periods. Comments violating our comment policy will not be edited to comply with agency guidelines. Learn more here: https://parks.wa.gov/about/news-announcements/social-media-comment-policy

Who else has been dreaming of a state parks Fourth of July celebration? 💭 July 4th is one of our biggest visitations day...
06/18/2026

Who else has been dreaming of a state parks Fourth of July celebration? 💭

July 4th is one of our biggest visitations days of the year and we want to make sure everyone has an amazing time, while also staying safe.

We have put together some helpful tips for America's 250th birthday celebrants to recreate responsibly:
🧠 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - Check for park closures and alerts before heading out.
🚯 LEAVE NO TRACE - Dumpsters will be available at most ocean beach approaches for visitors to dispose of their trash.
🔥 PRACTICE FIRE SAFETY - Fires must be small, contained and at least 100 feet from the dunes and extinguished before leaving.
🚫 RESPECT BEACH CLOSURES - There may be beach driving closures in areas designated to protect wildlife and marine habitat.
🚗 DRIVE CAREFULLY - Follow the 25-mph posted speed limit, give pedestrians the right of way, don't mix alcohol, drugs and driving, always wear a seatbelt (yes, even on the beach) and don't bring your off-road vehicles — they're not allowed on the beach (yes, even licensed ones).
⏰ HIGH TIDE - High tide is at 5 a.m. on July 5, making it imperative for visitors to pick up their trash when they leave the night before.
😍 GIVE OUR BEACHES SOME LOVE - Give America the gift she's been needing — a clean coastline. If you're looking to show your country some much needed TLC, show up for our annual July 5 Beach Cleanup happening at five state parks — Cape Disappointment, Grayland Beach, Ocean City, Pacific Beach and Twin Harbors. No registration necessary, just show up and help.

In 2025, Washington State Parks welcomed over 8,000 volunteers who performed over 190,000 hours of service — from trail ...
06/16/2026

In 2025, Washington State Parks welcomed over 8,000 volunteers who performed over 190,000 hours of service — from trail work and interpretation to habitat restoration and park hosting.

We would like to thank all our volunteers for their support! They are a valuable part of our community and help make Washington state parks the treasured places they are.

To celebrate their dedication, our staff nominated over 30 volunteers across eight categories this year. You can find out who won on our website: parks.wa.gov/get-involved/volunteer-program/volunteer-recognition.

Interested in volunteering at a state park this year?
Visit our website parks.wa.gov/volunteer to learn more about our different opportunities, including one of our largest events, the July 5 Beach Cleanup — helping clean up Washington's coastal beaches on what is known as the "Dirtiest Beach Day of the Year."

We get asked all the time about lesser-known, underrated state parks, and we're always happy to share. In fact, we're ti...
06/13/2026

We get asked all the time about lesser-known, underrated state parks, and we're always happy to share. In fact, we're tickled pink when our visitors find a gem hidden in plain sight. On Earth Day, one blogger took a ranger-guided hike from Harstine Island across the tombolo to McMicken Island. If you're looking for a low-tide beach walk teeming with life, we invite you to experience this unique set of state parks.

Learn more in our latest Field Guide Blog ⤵️

Exploring McMicken Island with a State Parks ranger Harstine Island and McMicken Island state parks are located in Mason County, north of Shelton. Their cool factor cannot be overstated. Hiking this area at low tide is a special treat that allows visitors to access a typically boat-access-only area....

06/04/2026

Being a responsible and respectful visitor will help ensure Washington's magnificent places and communities are around for your next visit.

No internet, no problem! 💁Try:🚲 Going for a bike ride: parks.wa.gov/biking🐕 Taking your dog on a hike: parks.wa.gov/hiki...
06/03/2026

No internet, no problem! 💁

Try:
🚲 Going for a bike ride: parks.wa.gov/biking
🐕 Taking your dog on a hike: parks.wa.gov/hiking
🛶 Paddleboarding in the sun: parks.wa.gov/wateractivities
🍎 Enjoying lunch with a view: parks.wa.gov/find-parks
⛺ Camping under the stars: washington.goingtocamp.com

Anyone can become an unplanned swimmer. Wearing a life jacket and practicing water safety skills can help keep yourself ...
06/02/2026

Anyone can become an unplanned swimmer. Wearing a life jacket and practicing water safety skills can help keep yourself and others safe. Remember these three important tips to help protect yourself and your friends and family the next time you're near the water. 👇

Read more about water safety in our Field Guide Blog:
➡️ Three water safety tips to keep you afloat
parks.wa.gov/about/news-center/field-guide-blog/three-water-safety-tips-keep-you-afloat
➡️How to properly fit a life jacket
parks.wa.gov/about/news-center/field-guide-blog/how-properly-fit-life-jacket
➡️ Cold water shock: What it is and how to protect yourself
parks.wa.gov/about/news-center/field-guide-blog/cold-water-shock-what-it-and-how-protect-yourself
➡️ Know your depths: Staying safe in Washington’s waters
parks.wa.gov/about/news-center/field-guide-blog/know-your-depths-staying-safe-washingtons-waters

Sequim Bay is closing this week for major improvements to its entrance and parking. When the park reopens this fall, it ...
06/02/2026

Sequim Bay is closing this week for major improvements to its entrance and parking. When the park reopens this fall, it will be easier to turn into and drive through the park, and visitors will see improved restrooms as well. The Olympic Discovery Trail will be open for thru-travel, but there will be no restrooms or camping access. Boaters can reach the offshore mooring from the water, but the boat launch is closed, and no on-shore amenities will be open. We appreciate your patience as we work to make this park better than ever.

You can find more info about the project on our website: parks.wa.gov/about/strategic-planning-projects-public-input/projects/sequim-bay-entrance-reconfiguration.

The good news: Rock climbing has reopened at Deception Crag in Olallie State Park, east of Seattle, and you won't have t...
06/02/2026

The good news: Rock climbing has reopened at Deception Crag in Olallie State Park, east of Seattle, and you won't have to contend with any angry raptors while scaling those walls.

The not-so-great news: One of the peregrine falcons that had nested there did not return to lay eggs or fledge chicks this season, so the climbing area no longer needs to stay closed. After DDT restrictions and recovery efforts in the 1980s, the peregrine falcon population rebounded, but recent surveys have shown local declines in peregrine populations worldwide, including in Washington.

Read more about peregrine falcons here: parks.wa.gov/about/news-center/field-guide-blog/seasonal-climbing-closures-protect-nesting-peregrine-falcons-two-state-parks.

📸: Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

Address

300 Desmond Drive SE
Lacey, WA
98503

Telephone

+13609028844

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