Take a Hike

10/20/2018

Here are the Washington State Park free days for 2019.

We just announced our 12 free days for 2019!
http://parks.state.wa.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=428

06/01/2018

June FREE day #2.
No, you're not seeing double — or triple! This Saturday is our first of three FREE days for June. But we have two additional free days in store for you this month! 😎

On Saturday, June 9, we celebrate National Get Outdoors Day, and so should you! Come on out to a state park and enjoy the many sights and activities your Washington state parks have to offer!

The day after, Sunday, June 10, is also a free day. Learn more:
http://parks.state.wa.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=388

03/27/2018

Free park access day April 14th.

How much do you love spring? Get in the spirit of the colorful season with a free day-use visit to a Washington state park on Saturday, April 14. No Discover Pass needed!
http://parks.state.wa.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=374

02/28/2018

In conjunction with National Invasive Species Awareness Week,
Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed Feb. 25 to March 3 as Washington Invasive Species Awareness Week.

Washington State Parks cares for 120,000 acres of state recreation and natural area lands, and we take our role as stewards of these lands seriously, including dealing with invasive species. You can help! The Washington Invasive Species Council has some great tips on how you can help prevent the spread of invasive species, whether on your own property, in a park or just out and about in this beautiful state of ours:

• Clean your boots, bikes, boats, ORVs and trailers before you venture out again.
• When going camping, purchase firewood from local vendors.
• If you spot a noxious w**d in a state park, let us know! (You can also download the 'WA Invasives' Smartphone app and report your findings.)
• Volunteer! Many of our Friends groups host invasive plant removal and habitat restoration work parties. Learn more: http://parks.state.wa.us/262/Volunteer-Program.

Get more information about what you can do to help keep invasive species from spreading as well events and workshops taking place throughout the state: https://invasivespecies.wa.gov/wisaw.shtml

Photo: Volunteer from Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park helps remove invasive Himalayan blackberries during a recent volunteer work party.

01/12/2018

An updated State Parks free days list for 2018. I guess it is better to catch typos eary than a week too late.

Well, this is embarrassing. We incorrectly listed our September free day as happening on Sept. 29 in our original news release and on social media. The actual date is Sept. 22, National Public Lands Day. NPLD is always on the 4th Saturday in September.

We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

01/02/2018

Happy New Year! Don't forget to get out and hike.

If the weather is just too wet to go out on the dirt trails, it might be time to check out the paved trails. For those in the greater Tacoma area, the Interurban and Foothills Rails to Trails are good options for a variable walk. You can hike a couple of miles or travel between towns; just remember, what you walk out you have to walk back.

11/24/2017

A short hike in Anacortes, WA. The Tursi trail is a newly opened path not far from Mt. Erie. Fair warning - almost the entire path is a climb when taken from the Donnell road entrance, and can be slippery when wet. Not a climb for anyone with bad knees. There are a few small glimpses of Mt. Baker from places on the trail.

10/18/2017

Fall Color Walk:
After er the kids go back to school, and the summer water sports are packed up for the year, the Lake Roosevelt National Recreational Area becomes peaceful. Fall Color adorns the shore, and the reservoir drawdown exposes the "beach" around the Lake. The ferry can wait; walk along the shore and stretch your legs, and you might even see some deer coming down for a drink. This is s good hike in semi-packed sand best late September to early October.

09/27/2017

On certain days each year, the National Park Service offers free admission to all national parks. Discover this year's fee-free days.

09/27/2017

A good place to start for information on parks and trails in Washington. It also includes an alert site, so you don't plan a trip only to find the site shut down or a burn ban in effect on your next camping trip.

No matter how you connect with nature, Parks is here to welcome you into the wild, wonderful outdoors