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New roundabout to be built at Nisqually State Park
OLYMPIA – Construction is anticipated to begin on a new roundabout at the intersection of State Route 7 and Mashel Prairie Road near Nisqually State Park on April 7.
This work is being completed as part of the development of Nisqually State Park. Crews will construct a modern, one-lane roundabout with a raised center island. The existing intersection of SR 7 and Mashel Prairie Road is on a corner with limited visibility, so the new roundabout will make it safer for people visiting the state park, SR 7 motorists and local residents.
The center island will include art contributed…
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04/03/2025
OLYMPIA – Construction is anticipated to begin on a new roundabout at the intersection of State Route 7 and Mashel Prairie Road near Nisqually State Park on April 7.
This work is being completed as part of the development of Nisqually State Park. Crews will construct a modern, one-lane roundabout with a raised center island. The existing intersection of SR 7 and Mashel Prairie Road is on a corner with limited visibility, so the new roundabout will make it safer for people visiting the state park, SR 7 motorists and local residents.
The center island will include art contributed… Read more
04/02/2025
SPOKANE — Beginning next week, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will start work on a grant-funded project to build a new trailhead and expand parking access to the popular Knothead Loop Trail in Riverside State Park. Construction will tentatively be completed by July.
Due to the popularity of the trailhead and the size of the existing parking area, State Parks has seen an increase in the number of cars parking along the side of the road. For the safety of our visitors and to improve their overall experience, State Parks will add 38 new parking spots with… Read more
03/20/2025
OLYMPIA – March 20, 2025 –The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is opening up more camping opportunities for visitors by expanding its same-day reservation option to all parks with reservable campgrounds.
Beginning March 24, 2025, visitors will be able to secure a campsite instead of traveling to a park and gambling on the availability of a first come, first served site. Campers can book a same-day reservation until 2 p.m. on their intended day of arrival. This change is specific to campground reservations and does not apply to roofed accommodations, vacation rentals,… Read more
03/19/2025
SPOKANE – This spring, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will complete a 340-acre forest health treatment in the area immediately north of Seven Mile Road in Riverside State Park.
This project will help reduce wildfire risk within the park and promote a healthy and resilient forest by reducing the amount of wildfire fuels. It will also remove unhealthy trees from the ecosystem.
Work will begin in April and end on June 30, weather dependent. There will be heavy equipment moving in and out of the work area, so trailheads and trails within the project area will be closed… Read more
03/12/2025
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a virtual work session on March 19.
Commission meeting agenda items include an update on the agency’s Climate and Sustainability Program activities, an update on State-Tribal Recreation Impacts Initiative and efforts to adopt a charter for the initiative in June 2025, a legislative update, a financial update and general updates from State Parks staff.
View the full agenda and presentation materials here.
This is an online meeting, and all Parks staff and commissioners will be attending virtually. The… Read more
02/19/2025
Olympia — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission welcomes the community to attend an open house on Feb. 27 to discuss ongoing planning for Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park.
State Parks is continuing work to create a Classification and Management Plan (CAMP) for the park. It was determined that the CAMP for Recreation Drive Trail may have an impact on the environment. Because of this, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required. The EIS will determine the appropriate classification of land within the Recreation Drive Trail corridor and determine what… Read more
02/19/2025
OLYMPIA — As management and operation of the upper campus at Fort Worden Historical State Park returns to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the agency is bringing it into alignment with the other 123 parks in its system.
Beginning March 1, 2025, a Discover Pass will be required for day-use parking in all areas of the park. This requirement was waived for the 90-acre upper campus when it was under the management of the Fort Worden Public Development Authority.
This change will not impact campers in the park. A Fort Worden camping reservation will… Read more
02/12/2025
Olympia — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will complete a wildfire fuel reduction project at Westport Light State Park this month. The project responds to community concerns and reduces wildfire risk in Westport.
Beginning mid-February, a wildland fire crew from the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will partner with State Parks to prune trees, thin brush and remove small trees along Forrest Street near the park’s eastern boundary.
State Parks maintenance staff will also mow invasive scotch broom along Jetty Haul Road, further reducing… Read more
01/24/2025
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission welcomes Lourdes E. Alvarado-Ramos (Alfie), its newest member, to the Commission.
The Commission is made up of seven citizen members appointed by the governor. Commissioners are responsible for guiding the policies that steer the agency. Other duties include approving the agency’s strategic plan, setting Parks budget priorities and approving changes to Parks-related Washington Administrative Code.
Alvarado-Ramos is an alumnus of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive… Read more
01/22/2025
OLYMPIA — Nisqually State Park will temporarily close beginning Jan. 27 for phased maintenance and construction work as park development continues. The park is expected to reopen to visitors in the fall.
The first phase of this work is a forest thinning project to improve forest health throughout multiple areas of the park, including trails and future campground locations. Then, this spring, crews will start construction on a roundabout at the intersection of SR 7 and Mashel Prairie Road.
State Parks is also continuing its construction of an interpretive plaza, several new… Read more