Recreational Boating Safety Program announces focus on life jacket wear while paddling

OLYMPIA – Paddlesports like kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, are among the most popular recreational activities in Washington State. In a recent study from the Recreation and Conservation Office, 52% of survey respondents participated in paddlesports. The study also noted a 28% increase in paddlesports participation from a previous study conducted in 2017. Rising safety incidents show the importance of education on safety. Paddlesports accounted for 61% of reportable boating fatalities from 2023-2024, and 18 out of the 22 paddlesport fatalities occurred when the individual…

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Discover Pass required across Fort Worden campus beginning March 1

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

State Parks working to reduce wildfire risk at Westport Light State Park

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

New member appointed to State Parks and Recreation Commission

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

Nisqually State Park temporarily closed for major development projects

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

Parks Commission to meet in Olympia

01/22/2025
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its regular commission meeting on Jan. 30, 2025 at the Department of Ecology building in Olympia.  The public is welcome to attend in-person or online.   Agenda items include:  Review of the agency director’s performance agreement and 2024 performance evaluation Financial and legislative updates Program updates from the Washington State Boating Program, which includes the federally funded Recreational Boating Safety and the Clean Vessel Act Grant programs An update on the Winter Recreation… Read more

Reminder: More than 30 state parks will offer First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day

12/24/2024
OLYMPIA – Celebrate the new year with Washington State Parks during our annual First Day Hikes events on Jan. 1, 2025.   More than 30 state parks will host staff-led and self-guided hikes, snowshoe excursions, trail rides, polar plunges, scavenger hunts and more on New Year’s Day.   First Day Hikes events vary in difficulty, ranging from smooth, flat ADA-accessible trails to moderate hill climbs. A few parks will offer multiple hikes catering to different interests and abilities. Additionally, several hikes will include talks with rangers, which allow attendees to learn… Read more

Lake Sylvia reopens after summer construction, improvements

12/19/2024
OLYMPIA — Lake Sylvia State Park in Montesano has reopened for camping and day-use after undergoing construction and improvements. Over the summer and fall, crews replaced a culvert beneath the main entrance road with a bridge. The new bridge will provide safer and more sustainable infrastructure, particularly in heavy rain events. Additionally, park staff used the closure to complete maintenance and improvements, including construction of pedestrian access to the park on the new bridge, a new road and a new sidewalk. Visitors are invited to come check out the improved park. Lake… Read more

Storm damage prompts Wallace Falls, Squak Mountain closures

12/06/2024
SEATTLE – Several Washington state parks near Seattle sustained significant damage during the “Bomb Cyclone” storm of Nov. 19, forcing the closure of two popular parks. Wallace Falls More than 170 trees fell along the main trail at Wallace Falls State Park near Goldbar, uprooting trail tread throughout the system. The popular Middle Falls Viewpoint was also impacted by a rockslide. The full extent of the damage is still under assessment by Parks arborists and trail crews. Staff and volunteers are working to clear the trails as they are able to access them. Updates will be provided… Read more

State land agencies announce 2025 Discover Pass free days

12/05/2024
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Discover Pass Program has designated 12 Discover Pass free days for 2025.   On these days, visitors will not need a Discover Pass to park a vehicle at a Washington state park or on lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).  The 2025 Discover Pass free days are:  Wed., Jan. 1 - New Year’s Day and First Day Hikes Mon., Jan. 20 - Martin Luther King Junior Day  Sun., March 9 - Billy Frank Junior’s Birthday  Wed., March 19… Read more

State Parks seeks applications for Winter Recreation Advisory committees

12/03/2024
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is seeking applications from winter sports enthusiasts for the agency’s snowmobile and non-motorized advisory committees. Five positions are available statewide to snowmobilers, and two are available statewide to individuals involved in non-motorized winter sports. Both committees are made up of individuals representing snowmobilers and non-motorized winter sports participants. The Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Washington Association of Counties each have one… Read more