Alta Lake State Park is a land of fire and water. Tucked into the hills between Winthrop and Lake Chelan, Alta Lake has long been a hub for anglers, water sports enthusiasts and families that love to
Pack up the kids and a picnic lunch and spend a day at Anderson Lake State Park. Located 20 minutes from Port Townsend on the Northeastern Olympic Peninsula, Anderson Lake combines a cedar, fir and al
Need a quick getaway?
Battle Ground Lake State Park is a forested camping park in the Cascade Mountain foothills; its proximity to Vancouver and Portland and its cool green lake make it a great escap
Pull up a camp chair, place it facing north, sit down and stay a while. Bay View State Park on Padilla Bay overlooks the San Juan Islands and offers up magnificent views of the archipelago. On clear o
A dizzying mile-long switchback trail takes you up 848-foot Beacon Rock, but that’s not the only way to a tip-top experience.
Rock climbing and hiking to waterfalls are the rage at this park, where
Wetlands, pebble beaches, tidal flats and salmon runs are the stuff that Puget Sound is made of. You will find those features and more at Belfair State Park.
Located on Hood Canal between Shelton an
Set in a blue cove between Bellingham and Blaine, Birch Bay State Park feels private and secluded without being far from urban life.
Stroll along the rocky beach and take in dramatic views of the No
Are you a boater craving island time? Do you paddle the Puget Sound on your days off? Or are you visiting Seattle and eager to explore Tillicum village and the island or camp overnight but don't have
Tiny Blind Island is full of intrigue. Can you imagine finding a chunk of rock in the middle of a salty strait, staking a claim and planting an orchard there? A cluster of 19th-century sour apple tree
The Hoh Rainforest in the Olympic National Park is one of the world’s iconic forests. Known for its vibrant greens, curtains of moss and dense, old-growth canopy, the Hoh is nearly half a day’s drive
Calling all birders!
Bottle Beach State Park sits on the tide flats of Southern Grays Harbor, where it plays host to more than a million migratory shorebirds and sea birds in spring. The park's ADA-
Fishing, sagebrush and chill time: what more could a desert vacationer want?
Set directly behind Chief Joseph Dam on the Columbia River, Bridgeport State Park offers sunny fun on Rufus Woods Lake.
Seattle equestrians love this forested park near the city. Bridle Trails State Park, located between Kirkland and Redmond, offers extensive horse trails and a horse-friendly culture. Sometimes called
Brooks Memorial State Park is a bright spot of colors, views and birdsongs, off the beaten path in south central Washington.
Brooks Memorial sits between the pine forests of the Simcoe Mountains and
The entrance to Cama Beach could well be a doorway to an earlier time. Set on Camano Island, an hour north of Seattle, the original family resort had its heyday from the 1930s to the 1950s. This place
Close to Seattle but a world away, Camano Island State Park offers a mellow, less bustling, but equally friendly alternative to its busier neighbor, Cama Beach State Park.
Forest loop trails provide
A camp with a colorful past, Washington State Parks’ largest retreat center, Camp Wooten, sits in the Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington along the threadlike Tucannon River.
Columbia County’s
Lighthouses stand sentinel atop windswept cliffs, sea smells waft up through the air and waves collide with a crash where the Pacific Ocean meets the Columbia River below.
Named for Captain John Mear
The 40-mile Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail winds through eastern Washington from Nine Mile Recreation Area on Lake Spokane to the Idaho border. The mixed-use trail passes through high deser
Are you craving a day at the beach on your San Juan island vacation?
Head out to Clark Island for your choice of fine-grained sand or warm gray pebbles.
Midway between Orcas and Lummi islands, this
Columbia Hills Historical State Park puts the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area at your fingertips. This 3,637-acre park is composed of four different sites which offer a range of experiences.
Looking for an active road trip adventure? Get out your mountain or hybrid bike, pack your hiking boots and plan to visit a little-known Washington treasure.
The 3,876-acre, 130-mile Columbia Platea
Do you long to trade your SmartPhone for a fishing pole? You'll find like-minded vacationers and an angler's paradise at Conconully State Park in the region known as the Okanogan.
Fish from two lakes
Crawford State Park feels like it's at the end of the earth, and its star attraction, Gardner Cave, feels like the center of the earth.
Tucked away in the northeast corner of Washington, near the U.S
Looking for a great park destination off the beaten path? Curlew Lake State Park is a jewel in the countryside.
In northeastern Washington, only 25 miles from the U.S.- Canada border, the park is na
Cutts Island Marine State Park is proof that good things come in small packages. One-half mile from Kopachuck State Park, this intriguing little island offers the perfect day at the beach.
This park
Mauve-colored hills rise from the Columbia River, and poplars line glassy Lake Entiat below. If not for the scent of sage floating through the air, Daroga State Park could be in Southern Europe.
Loca
Washington water fans, look no further! Bust out your kayak, sand bucket, swimsuit or fishing rod, and head straight for Dash Point State Park!
Hidden in plain sight between Seattle and Tacoma, this
Deception Pass is Washington's most-visited state park for a reason. Mysterious coves, rugged cliffs, jaw-dropping sunsets, and a stomach-dropping high bridge make this park a go-to for locals and int
Doe Island Marine State Park is a tiny dot on the map next to Orcas Island, but as an island destination, you could not ask for more.
Once on terra firma, the island's 0.3-mile perimeter loop is a s
Dosewallips State Park, only 60 miles north of Olympia, is the eastern gateway to the Olympic Peninsula. The region is made up of forests, mountains, rivers, beaches and deltas – and surrounded by sou
Backed by the auburn hills of the east Columbia River Gorge, Doug's beach has enticed windsurfers and kite boarders for more than two decades.
This entire gorge is famous for its wind and water spor
Cute little Eagle Island is a great place to moor or anchor your boat, gaze at the splendor of Mount Rainier, relax on a sandy beach and watch harbor seals close to the shore.
Located in Balch Passag
Grab a picnic, and take a stroll among the old-growth trees of Federation Forest. This little-known gem on the White River offers family-friendly hiking and a peek at an important piece of Washington
Prepare to be wowed by Fields Spring State Park! Nestled in the folds of the Blue mountains, this Southeast Washington frontier has some of the state's most spectacular scenery.
Known to most travel
From river to field, Flaming Geyser State Park is alive with sounds of joy. As rafters and kayakers glide past its banks, an array of model airplanes sail and swoop, controlled from the ground by thei
Close your eyes and imagine Fort Casey as it must have been 100 years ago, filled with eager young soldiers, officers, mechanics and staff. Stand at the Admiralty Head lighthouse or in a cliff-side gu
Military and maritime history buffs, take note! Fort Columbia State Park is considered one of the most intact historic coastal defense sites in the U.S.
Constructed between 1896 and 1903, renovated
Planning a multi-day camping stay? You won't run out of things to do at Fort Ebey State Park!
Set on the western side of Whidbey Island, Fort Ebey was constructed as a coastal defense fort during the
Step into U.S. military history at Fort Flagler Historical State Park on the northern tip of Marrowstone Island. Tour and explore a significant coastal defense fort established more than a century ago
Fort Simcoe is one of the few remaining pre-Civil War forts in the west. Military history buffs should put it on their bucket lists.
Located on the Yakama Indian Reservation, between rolling hills,
On the surface, Fort Townsend is a classic state park on a Puget Sound beach. But a closer look reveals a hidden history.
Built in 1856, Fort Townsend operated as a U.S. Army site on and off until a
Hidden gun emplacements, expansive parade lawns and restored Victorian-era Officers homes place history front and center at Fort Worden Historical State Park.
While today's park plays host to worksho
Did you know that petrified wood is Washington’s official state gem? Considered one of the most diverse fossil forests in North America, Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park is famous for its rare speci
Fledgling astronomers and night photographers, find your bliss at Goldendale Observatory. Set in the hills above the Columbia River, this unique state park heritage site houses one of the nation’s lar
Does your ideal vacation include flying kites and walking your dog on the beach, surfing the waves on a warm summer day, smelling the sea, or watching winter storms from the comfort of your yurt or RV
"River or ocean?" When you have a free day, is that your big question?
Why choose? You can have both at Griffiths-Priday State Park!
Griffiths-Priday is set on the Pacific coast, at the mouths of Co
Hope Island Marine State Park is a special place to those who live in the greater Olympia-Shelton-Hoodsport area. These communities share their treasure with the hope that visitors approach the island
A quick paddle or boat ride will get you to Hope Island State Park between La Conner and Whidbey Island on Skagit Bay. Once on the island, quiet hikes through forest and wildland meadows will charm yo
Ike Kinswa State Park is a great place to make summer memories. This classic state park sits on Mayfield Lake amidst a rolling patchwork of farmland 20 miles east of Interstate 5 and off U.S. Highway
Tucked between Bainbridge Island and Bremerton on the Kitsap Peninsula, Illahee State Park occupies prime beachfront on Port Orchard Bay.
A dense, verdant forest backs a shell-strewn beach at this cl
From the densely forested Cascades to the scablands carved by the Ice Age floods, Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail gives hikers, cyclists and, in some places, equestrians a taste of Washington’s d
James Island Marine State Park sits low on the horizon, small and unassuming next to its neighbors in the San Juan archipelago. This tiny marine state park, accessible only by boat, may be the ideal r
Accessible only by bridge or by boat, Jarrell Cove State Park is a sensory extravaganza, with a chorus of bird calls, saltwater and conifer smells, dense tree stands and opal-colored water all around.
Airplane pilots and boaters compare Puget Sound to a maze. Land fingers, islands and waterways comprise the stunning topography, and South Sound inlets dead-end at mudflats and beaches. Amidst all thi
When you dock at Jones Island, your welcoming committee wagon may include otters and deer.
Among the most enchanting of the San Juan Islands, Jones Island Marine State Park is the place to let your h
Joseph Whidbey State Park is a stunner. Its west-facing views from Whidbey Island include Victoria, B.C., Lopez Island and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. When the weather is clear, the evening sky lights
At first glance, Kanaskat-Palmer looks like a classic state park, with gentle trails, sprawling lawns and a diverse forest, set on the banks of a river.
But, oh, what a river it is!
As it tumbles to
You'll know you've arrived at Kinney Point when you see the kayak rack. This unique "parking" feature invites you to pull in, hang up your kayak and play!
This Marrowstone Island park property is onl
Lovebirds, take heed! Kitsap Memorial State Park on Hood Canal is a popular spot for Washington couples heading to the altar.
The park's quaint Log Hall Area hosts all types of weddings and events ye
Pump up your bike tires, lace up your hiking boots and set out on Washington's southernmost rail-trail.
The Klickitat Trail runs 31 miles through stunning Columbia River Gorge country between Lyle an
Kopachuck's sun-warmed beaches and creaky forest will take you right out of everyday life and into a fairytale.
Snug in the curve of Carr Inlet a half-hour from Tacoma, Kopachuck State Park is an eas
Reserve your campsite early, wait for summer with growing anticipation, then join the ranks of visitors who make Lake Chelan a family tradition.
This social camping park pulses with life in the summe
Craving a misty morning walk on a lake? Planning a campout with family and friends? Look no further than Lake Easton State Park!
Located between Seattle and Ellensburg off I-90, Lake Easton is a magn
Dreaming of a beach day not far from Seattle? Head to Lake Sammamish State Park! Boasting two lakefront beaches and trails through deciduous forest and wetlands, this park provides a family outdoor ex
Adults, kids and adult kids, go play at Lake Sylvia State Park!
Hidden in the hills between Olympia and the Washington Coast, Lake Sylvia is a classic state park. Set in a former logging camp above t
Climb a mountain, ride a horse or try stand up paddling. Settle into your camp chair and soak your feet in an alpine lake. Kick back with a book, teach the kids to swim – or do it all – at Lake Wenatc
Set on the seaward side of Chuckanut Mountain near Bellingham, Larrabee State Park is known for its postcard views of Samish Bay and the San Juan Islands. It is also Washington's first state park.
Th
Have you ever seen a cotton ball hopping around on the sand?
You will see all kinds of birds at Leadbetter Point State Park on the upper Long Beach Peninsula, between Willapa Bay and the Pacific Ocea
How many shades of green can you count? Lewis and Clark State Park is a great place to start.
This cool forested space east of Interstate 5 and south of Chehalis offers hiking and horseback riding th
Driving down Highway 12, through the rolling dune-colored fields of southeastern Washington, you see a stand of green up ahead. It's not a mirage. It's Lewis and Clark Trail State Park.
A lush oasis
At Lime Kiln Point State Park, the loud, transient neighbors gear up for a party that runs from spring into fall. Those would be the spouting orcas, fin-slapping Gray whales and splashing porpoises.
A rock with a face like Abe Lincoln's overlooks this friendly popular state park above the Rocky Reach Dam. Folded into the rich, mauve hills along the Columbia River, Lincoln Rock State Park is a cla
If eastern Washington calls to you, Lyons Ferry State Park is sure to enthrall. Tree-shaded green lawns gracefully slope to the cooling waters of the Snake and Palouse rivers. The hills of the Palouse
Set on the shore of Rich Passage, Manchester State Park makes the perfect getaway for day-trippers or Puget Sound campers on a Kitsap Peninsula road trip.
Military and maritime buffs will find intrig
Backed by golden hills and fronted by the mighty Columbia River, Maryhill State Park is a welcoming place for all kinds of guests. Windsurfers seek thrills on the river, while cultural tourists explor
Imagine a green fairy forest of moss-covered rocks, cedar trees with human-sized hollows, black licorice slugs that look like tiny tire treads and a paradise cove with swirling sandstone formations.
McMicken Island is so small, you could easily miss it. But boaters who love Puget Sound would not want to miss it. This small state park, in the fold of Harstine Island, is only reachable by boat. Low
Millersylvania State Park offers fun for everyone. Spend a summer day splashing in Deep Lake. Gather with friends in an historic kitchen shelter. Plan a romantic overnight in a luxury "glamping" site,
Pass through the welcome arch at Moran State Park on Orcas Island, and time begins to slow. You'll find yourself in a Northwest island frame of mind, free to relax, breathe and head into the vast, var
Do you dream of climbing the snow-capped Cascades? Do you gape in wonder at sweeping views from historic lookouts?
If you answered "yes," you have found your park in Mount Pilchuck.
The 2.7-mile tra
You could hike for days and not see the same view twice at Mount Spokane State Park.
One of Washington's largest state parks, Mount Spokane has 100 miles of trails in the richly forested Selkirk Moun
All but hidden on the west side of Marrowstone Island, Mystery Bay State Park offers a great escape for visitors arriving by land or by water. Boaters can dock or lay anchor and stroll along the grass
Everyone needs the occasional lazy day on a lake. For folks in the Puget Sound area or communities near Mount Rainier, Nolte State Park fits the bill.
Located 10 minutes from Enumclaw and a half hour
Obstruction Pass State Park is one of the few public beaches on famed Orcas Island.
Though most people flock to its bigger neighbor, Moran State Park, this property's quiet beauty is unsurpassed. Opa
Smack dab in the middle of the Washington coast, near the beach town of Ocean Shores, you will find the lovely, unpretentious Ocean City State Park.
If you're looking for a rest stop or a long walk o
Renowned for its glorious waterfalls, Olallie State Park is a great place to kick off the hiking season. Moderate trails lead to the popular Twin Falls, the smaller Weeks Falls and other cascading wat
Pull off fast-paced Interstate 90, and step back to a slower time at Olmstead Place Historical State Park near Ellensburg.
In 1875, the pioneering Olmstead family homesteaded the land claim at the si
Run with your kite, or your dog, on a flat sandy beach. Inhale the salt sea air and listen to the Pacific Ocean as it crashes on the shore by your side. Help the kids build sand castles, go fishing or
Pacific Pines State Park, on the western side of the Long Beach Peninsula, offers a classic day at the beach, southwest Washington-style.
Dune grasses and knobby shore pines drop gently down to the w
The Palouse River runs through a narrow cataract and drops 200 feet to a churning bowl. From there, the current moves swiftly, through a winding gorge of columnar basalt, to its southern end at the mi
Located 15 miles north of Vancouver and just east of I-5, Paradise Point State Park offers easy access to the Lewis River. Approaching the riverfront beach, you may be surprised by a great blue heron
Turning into Active Cove between Patos and Little Patos islands, you'll feel like you're landing on the moon. A pebble beach leads to a bare, gray, rocky outcropping. Once you have beached your craft
A dramatic white arch rises from the green lawns and flowering gardens on the U.S.-Canada border at Blaine. Some may not realize that the international Peace Arch they pass on Interstate 5 is the prin
An angler casts her line into a glassy lake, and a sweater-clad camper sips a steaming mug of coffee. They gaze out, admiring the last tendrils of mist on the water as the rising sun plays on the ambe
A bald eagle sits on a seaweed-covered rock while kids peer into the glassy waters of Mayo Cove, pointing out sea stars and crabs. Welcome to life at Penrose Point State Park.
At low tide, this Puget
Standing tall against the orchards and golden hills of the Wenatchee Valley, a grouping of tooth-like pinnacles will surely catch your eye. Turn off Highway 2 for a closer look at the rich sandstone s
Pleasant Harbor State Park Property is a lovely place to sleep on your boat. So, tie up in this cozy inlet, watch the sunrise and take advantage of all the water sports and shellfish bounty that Hood
An itty-bitty island hides in plain sight, between Pearl Island and Roche Harbor in the San Juan archipelago.
Posey Island Marine State Park is popular with kayak groups and porpoises, but, depending
The Potholes are the defining geologic feature near this eastern Washington park. A series of Ice Age flood-carved depressions in the earth, combined with the dynamics of the O’Sullivan Dam, created h
Potlach State Park lies along beautiful Hood Canal, 40 miles from Olympia. This unassuming park has a welcoming campground in a thicket of trees, and its forested creek was recently restored for salmo
A rare cluster of old-growth trees creates an inspiring shadow to stand in. Rainbow Falls State Park, 16 miles west of Chehalis, is a walker’s paradise. Miles of loamy trails wind through the forest a
Tucked along the Skagit River, Rasar State Park offers forested campgrounds, grassy fields, Cascade foothills and the clear blue Skagit River. Whether you're seeking a fun, friendly atmosphere or a co
Unfold your camp chair and take in the views from Reed Island State Park. Located on the Columbia River east of Vancouver, the island faces the bird-rich Steigerwald National Wildlife Refuge, from the
No trip to Spokane is complete without a stop at Riverside State Park. Approximately 9 miles from Spokane, Riverside provides recreational opportunities for almost every type of visitor. From mountain
Find your inner forest spirit among the rare old-growth stands of Rockport State Park.
The park's ancient trees, having never been logged, form a landscape and ecosystem seldom seen nowadays, a canop
Imagine standing at a place where Native American people encountered the Lewis and Clark Expedition on its westward journey.
On Oct. 16, 1805, the Corps of Discovery arrived at the confluence of the
Whether you're chasing a warm pebble beach, a grassy meadow or a green forest, you'll find it at Saddlebag Island.
Among the easternmost of the San Juan Islands, Saddlebag sits between Padilla Bay an
Set on the eastern shore of Lake Washington, surrounded by low forest and lawns, Saint Edward's Seminary is not hard to picture as it was in the 1930s, with hundreds of students in residence.
These d
Saltwater State Park delivers a sandy beach getaway on the edge of Washington's largest urban area, and the park is only 2 miles from Interstate 5.
Set on a stretch of shoreline between Tacoma and Se
Don't forget to pack a picnic for your date at Scenic Beach. This Hood Canal state park was recently named "Best Romantic Spot" by area residents.
Is your dog the love of your life these days, or doe
Does your perfect day off involve trees, lawn, sun spots, shade and a clear, turquoise river? Pack your fishing pole, swimsuit and picnic basket, round up your family and friends - or take some much-n
A pedestrian tunnel connects lush, forested Seaquest State Park with its more well-known neighbor across the road, the Silver Lake Mount St. Helens Visitor Center. The park makes a topnotch base for a
Discover the northern Olympic Peninsula at Sequim Bay State Park!
Set in one of the driest micro-climates west of the Cascade Mountains, Sequim Bay hosts a stretch of the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT
Located at the entrance to Squamish Harbor, just north of Hood Canal Bridge, Shine Tidelands State Park makes a peaceful stop on a Hood Canal or Kitsap Peninsula road trip.
This little day-use park o
Skagit Island Marine State Park has the feel of the San Juan Islands but is closer and more accessible to most Puget Sound area locations. Located within kayaking distance of Cornet Bay in Deception P
South Whidbey State Park calls to tree-lovers everywhere. This day-use park on the west side of Whidbey Island is a scenic drive away from Anacortes or a short ferry ride from Mukilteo. The park offer
Looking for an island camping park you can get to by car? Spencer Spit, on Lopez Island, may be just what you had in mind.
One of the few auto-access state parks in the San Juan Islands, Spencer Spit
Windsurfers and kite boarders, welcome!
The Columbia River Gorge has long been recognized as a mecca for the two sports, and Spring Creek Hatchery State Park is a premier spot. Strong west winds driv
Lace up your sneakers or hiking boots, and chart a course for Squak Mountain State Park.
Just a few minutes east of Seattle, Squak Mountain has miles of walking and horse trails for people of all abi
Set deep in the mountains outside of Wenatchee, Squilchuck State Park entices the active adventurer.
More than 10 miles of mountain bike trails fan out from a single group campground. Within minutes
Rising 800 feet and spanning 600 acres, Steamboat Rock will impress the most seasoned of travelers.
Carved by Ice Age floods into a dramatic, lake-dotted canyon, Steamboat Rock State Park’s landscape
Steptoe Battlefield State Park Heritage Site is a four-acre day-use park in Rosalia. The site commemorates a battle between U.S. Army forces led by Colonel Edward Steptoe and several Native American t
High above the Palouse Hills on the eastern edge of Washington, Steptoe Butte offers unparalleled views of a truly unique landscape. The warm quartzite bluff stands out against soft hills of green and
Picture an island with turquoise inlets and craggy coves. The northern San Juan Islands may not come to mind at first, but Stuart Island Marine State Park could surprise you.
Stuart Island, near the
Would you rather sail than drive on your next vacation? Check out Sucia Island Marine State Park.
Among the northernmost of the San Juan Islands, this horseshoe-shaped island is accessible only by wa
As you enter Sun Lakes-Dry Falls, you may feel like you're on another planet. The park is surrounded by one of Washington's most striking and historically significant landscapes.
Dry Falls is a geolo
Picture yourself walking your dog down a peaceful beach on a Wednesday evening or at the same beach on a Saturday afternoon, wiping ice cream off your kids’ faces. If these thoughts make you smile, To
Are you the type to start a road trip at 4 a.m., crossing fingers for a fabulous sunrise? Time your departure for an early stop at Triton Cove State Park on your drive up or down Hood Canal.
Known fo
Turn Island is a kayaker's dream. With its pebble beaches and shoreside campsites, this marine state park is a social destination for the paddling crowd, or a quiet place in the off-season.
After bea
You won't have to stick your little toe into the water at Twanoh State Park; the water is so nice, you can probably dunk yourself all at once. Known for its warm saltwater swimming, scenic beauty and
Boaters and campers, come on down!
Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park offers one of the top boat launch and moorage sites on spectacular Lake Chelan.
This small state park has a modern marina located
Twin Harbors State Park combines the essential Washington coast vacation with the classic state park experience.
A cluster of cabins, yurts, and tent and RV sites give Twin Harbors a community feel.
Washington is known around the world for its forests, lakes and waterfalls, and not many places showcase these icons as majestically as Wallace Falls State Park.
A hiker's paradise, Wallace Falls off
Bring out the bikes and walking/running shoes, and plan for an active stay at Wenatchee Confluence State Park.
This park at the confluence of the Columbia and Wenatchee rivers is a popular destinatio
The beaches of Westport Light State Park could have sprung from a novel. Tall dune grasses whisper in the wind. Pathways snake along low bluffs down to sandy stretches of shore. Sunlight plays on the
One of five long-distance routes managed by Washington State Parks, the Willapa Hills State Park Trail is a key segment in the cross-state network spanning from the Idaho border to the shores of Willa
Yakima Sportsman State Park is, literally, an oasis in the desert.
Located near the urban amenities of Yakima in arid eastern Washington, this park attracts local picnickers, out-of-town visitors and
