List of Washington state parks explained

Agency Name:Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
Headquarters:1111 Israel Road S.W.,
Olympia, Washington[1]
Budget:$148.6 million (2011–13 biennium)

The U.S. state of Washington has over 140 state parks that are managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. These include 19 marine parks and 11 Historical Parks.The park system was established in 1913 by the creation of the Washington State Board of Park Commissioners.[2] The first two parks were formed from donated land in 1915, and by 1929 the state had seven parks. In 1947 the State Parks Committee was renamed to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and given authority to oversee the state park system. By 1960 the number of state parks had increased to 130.

In 2003, the Washington State Legislature introduced a $5-a-day parking fee, meant to fund park-related construction projects; more than a quarter of the fees collected went into the fee-collection system itself.[3] Park use decreased more than 15% under the fees. The fee was rescinded in early 2006, returning the state park system to its status of the only system in the West without day-use fees.[4] In 2011 the legislature enacted a $10 day-use permit and a $30 annual pass, called the Discover Pass, for vehicles to enter state parks, lands owned or managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and designated lands of the Washington Department of Natural Resources.[5] [6] Funds generated from the sale of the Discover Pass are deposited into the Recreation Access Pass Account. The new fees did not raise as much money as was hoped, though another effort to encourage donation when renewing certain state licenses (including driver's licenses) was more successful than officials expected.

Map

Current state parks

NameImageCounty SizeDetails
acresha
Alta LakeOkanogan181disp=tableNaNdisp=tableCamping at the north end of 2adj=midNaNadj=mid Alta Lake
Anderson LakeJefferson476disp=tableNaNdisp=tableTrails, non-motorized boating, and lake fishing on Quimper Peninsula
Battle Ground LakeClark280disp=tableNaNdisp=tableFishing, swimming, camping, and trails in and around an ancient volcano crater
Bay ViewSkagit25disp=tableNaNdisp=tableCamping, swimming, and boating on Padilla Bay
Beacon RockSkamania5100disp=tableNaNdisp=tableVolcanic monolith and forested uplands on the Columbia River
BelfairMason65disp=tableNaNdisp=tableTidal flats, wetlands, and beaches on Hood Canal
Birch BayWhatcom194disp=tableNaNdisp=tableCamping, shellfish harvesting on Birch Bay
Blake IslandKitsap475disp=tableNaNdisp=tableIsland park in Puget Sound; home of Tillicum Village
Blind IslandSan Juan3disp=tableNaNdisp=tablePart of the Cascadia Marine Trail
BogachielClallam123disp=tableNaNdisp=tableCamping on the Bogachiel River
Bottle BeachGrays Harbor75disp=tableNaNdisp=table
BridgeportOkanogan748disp=tableNaNdisp=tableCamping, boating on Rufus Woods Lake
Bridle TrailsKing482disp=tableNaNdisp=tableSuburban equestrian park with of trails
Brooks MemorialKlickitat700disp=tableNaNdisp=tableTrails and camping in the southern Cascade Mountains
Cama BeachIsland433disp=tableNaNdisp=tablePreserved 1930s seaside tourist camp
Camano IslandIsland134disp=tableNaNdisp=tableCamping and water activities on Puget Sound
Cape DisappointmentPacific1882disp=tableNaNdisp=tableFormerly called Fort Canby: World War I-era naval gun emplacements and bunkers; camping and water activities near the southern tip of Long Beach Peninsula
Centennial Trail Spokane525disp=tableNaNdisp=table37miles paved trail following the Spokane River from Nine Mile Falls to the Idaho border
Clark IslandSan Juan55disp=tableNaNdisp=table
Columbia HillsKlickitat3338disp=tableNaNdisp=tableFormed from the merger of Horsethief Lake and Dalles Mountain Ranch state parks with hiking trails and Columbia River water activities
Columbia Plateau TrailAdams3880disp=tableNaNdisp=table130miles abandoned railroad right-of-way running between Cheney and Pasco
ConconullyOkanogan81disp=tableNaNdisp=table
CrawfordPend Oreille49disp=tableNaNdisp=tableSeasonal tours of the limestone formations in Gardner Cave
Curlew Lake Ferry123disp=tableNaNdisp=table
Cutts IslandPierce2disp=tableNaNdisp=tableIsland park in Carr Inlet at the southern end of Puget Sound
DarogaDouglas90disp=tableNaNdisp=tableCamping and water activities on the Columbia River
Dash PointKing398disp=tableNaNdisp=tableCamping, trails, and water activities on Puget Sound
Deception PassIsland4134disp=tableNaNdisp=tableCamping, water activities, and old-growth forest at the northern end of Whidbey Island
Doe Island San Juan7disp=tableNaNdisp=tableIsland park southeast of Orcas Island
DosewallipsJefferson425disp=tableNaNdisp=tableCamping and water activities on Hood Canal
Doug's Beach Klickitat400disp=tableNaNdisp=tableWindsurfing in the Columbia Gorge
Eagle Island State Park Pierce10disp=tableNaNdisp=tableIsland park in southern Puget Sound
Federation ForestKing619disp=tableNaNdisp=tableHiking amid old-growth Douglas firs on the White River
Fields SpringAsotin792disp=tableNaNdisp=tableTrails in the Blue Mountains region
Flaming GeyserKing480disp=tableNaNdisp=tableFlaming methane geysers (seeps); rafting on the Green River
Forks of the SkyKing1300disp=tableNaNdisp=table
Fort CaseyIsland467disp=tableNaNdisp=tableWorld War I-era naval gun emplacements and bunkers
Fort ColumbiaPacific593disp=tableNaNdisp=tableEarly 20th-century coastal artillery and historic wood-frame fort buildings
Fort EbeyIsland645disp=tableNaNdisp=tableCamping, paragliding, and trails on the Strait of Juan de Fuca
Fort FlaglerJefferson784disp=tableNaNdisp=table
Fort SimcoeYakima200disp=tableNaNdisp=table1850s-era military installation on the Yakama Indian Reservation with army and Native American interpretive displays
Fort TownsendJefferson367disp=tableNaNdisp=table
Fort WordenJefferson434disp=tableNaNdisp=tableCamping, water activities, and the Coast Artillery Museum
Ginkgo Petrified ForestKittitas7470disp=tableNaNdisp=tableA petrified forest with more than 50 species of wood; camping and water activities on the Columbia River's Wanapum Reservoir
Goldendale ObservatoryKlickitat5disp=tableNaNdisp=tableAn astronomical observatory
Grayland BeachPacific412disp=tableNaNdisp=tableSaltwater beach activities on the Pacific Ocean
Griffiths-PridayGrays Harbor364disp=tableNaNdisp=tableSaltwater beach activities on the Pacific Ocean
Harstine IslandMason471disp=tableNaNdisp=tableBeach access
Hope Island (Mason County) Mason106disp=tableNaNdisp=tableOld-growth forest, salt marsh, beach on Puget Sound
Hope Island (Skagit County) Skagit200disp=tableNaNdisp=tableIsland camping on Skagit Bay
Ike KinswaLewis454disp=tableNaNdisp=tableWater activities on Lake Mayfield
IllaheeKitsap75disp=tableNaNdisp=tableSaltwater beach activities on Puget Sound
Iron HorseKittitas,
King		1612disp=tableNaNdisp=tableRail trail over Snoqualmie Pass
Jackson HouseLewis County1.4disp=tableNaNdisp=tableRestored 1850 cabin and homestead site of early Euro-American settlers John R. and Matilda Jackson
James Island San Juan117disp=tableNaNdisp=tableIsland camping in the San Juan Islands
Jarrell CoveMason43disp=tableNaNdisp=tableSaltwater activities on south Puget Sound
Joemma BeachPierce122disp=tableNaNdisp=tableSaltwater activities on south Puget Sound
Jones Island San Juan190disp=tableNaNdisp=tableIsland camping in the San Juan Islands
Joseph WhidbeyIsland112disp=tableNaNdisp=tableSaltwater beach activities on the Strait of Juan de Fuca
Kanaskat-PalmerKing320disp=tableNaNdisp=tableWhitewater rafting in the Green River Gorge
Kinney Point Jefferson76disp=tableNaNdisp=tableSaltwater beach activities on south Puget Sound
Kitsap MemorialKitsap58disp=tableNaNdisp=tableSaltwater beach activities on south Hood Canal
KopachuckPierce109disp=tableNaNdisp=tableSaltwater beach activities on south Puget Sound
Lake ChelanChelan127disp=tableNaNdisp=tableCamping, water activities on Lake Chelan
Lake EastonKittitas516disp=tableNaNdisp=tableCamping, water activities on Lake Easton
Lake Isabella Mason188disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Lake SammamishKing512disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Lake SylviaGrays Harbor252disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Lake WenatcheeChelan489disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
LarrabeeWhatcom2683disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Leadbetter PointPacific1698disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Lewis and ClarkLewis621disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Lewis and Clark Trail Columbia37disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Lime Kiln PointSan Juan36disp=tableNaNdisp=tableA facility for orca whale research
Lincoln RockDouglas80disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Lyons FerryFranklin1000disp=tableNaNdisp=tableReturned to Washington State Parks operation in 2015
Loomis Lake Pacific385disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
ManchesterKitsap111disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
MaryhillKlickitat99disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Matia Island San Juan145disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Matilda N. Jackson Lewis5disp=tableNaNdisp=tableHeritage site of early pioneer homesteader; picnic amenities and small loop trail
McMicken Island Mason11.5disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
MillersylvaniaThurston842disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
MoranSan Juan5000disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Mount PilchuckSnohomish1893disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Mount SpokaneSpokane13919disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Mystery Bay Jefferson10disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
NolteKing117disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Obstruction PassSan Juan76disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Ocean CityGrays Harbor170disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
OlallieKing2338disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Olmstead PlaceKittitas217disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Packwood State Park (Skate Creek Nature Park)Lewis175disp=tableNaNdisp=tablePart of a land swap in the 1990s, the parcel has remained undeveloped. Attempts have been made to transfer the land to the county.[7] [8]
Pacific BeachGrays Harbor10disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Pacific PinesPacific10disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Palouse FallsFranklin, Whitman105disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Paradise PointClark88disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Patos IslandSan Juan207disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Peace ArchWhatcom20disp=tableNaNdisp=tableA peace memorial on the United States-Canada border
Pearrygin LakeOkanogan696disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Penrose PointPierce152disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Peshastin PinnaclesChelan34disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Pleasant Harbor Jefferson425disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Posey IslandSan Juan1disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
PotholesGrant640disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Potlatch Mason125disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Rainbow FallsLewis139disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
RasarSkagit169disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Reed Island Clark510disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
RiversideSpokane10885disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
RockportSkagit670disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
SacajaweaFranklin284disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Saddlebag Island San Juan24disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Saint EdwardKing316disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
SaltwaterKing87.4disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Scenic BeachKitsap88disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
SchaferMason119disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
SeaquestCowlitz475disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Sequim BayClallam92disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Shine TidelandsJefferson13disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Skagit Island Skagit24disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Skull Island San Juan3.2disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
South WhidbeyIsland347disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Spencer SpitSan Juan138disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Spring Creek HatcherySkamania9.6disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Squak MountainKing1545disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
SquilchuckChelan228disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Steamboat RockGrant3522disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Steptoe BattlefieldWhitman4disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Steptoe ButteWhitman150disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Stretch Point Mason8disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Stuart IslandSan Juan85disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Sucia IslandSan Juan814disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Sun Lakes-Dry FallsGrant4027disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Tilton River State ParkLewis110disp=tableNaNdisp=tableThe land was donated by a retired logger in the 1990s. The parcel has remained undeveloped as the state found the park inconsistent with the overall plans within the parks system. The grounds are open only for hiking and day use activities.[9]
TolmieThurston105disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Triton CoveJefferson29disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Turn Island San Juan35disp=tableNaNdisp=tablePart of San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuge
TwanohMason182disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Twenty-Five Mile CreekChelan235disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Twin HarborsGrays Harbor172disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Wallace FallsSnohomish4735disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Wenatchee ConfluenceChelan197disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Westhaven Grays Harbor79disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Westport LightGrays212disp=tableNaNdisp=table 
Willapa HillsLewis County and Pacific County757disp=tableNaNdisp=tablePark consists of a 56miles rail trail that is partially paved with stretches of compact gravel
Willie Keil's GravePacific County0.34disp=tableNaNdisp=tableSite is accessible to users of the Willapa Hills Trail
Yakima SportsmanYakima247disp=tableNaNdisp=table 

Former state parks

NameCountyAreaImageRemarks
acresha
Central Ferry ParkWhitman185disp=tableNaNdisp=table Administered by USACE; formerly Central Ferry State Park (?–2002)
Chief Timothy ParkAsotin198disp=tableNaNdisp=table Administered by USACE; formerly Chief Timothy State Park (?–2002)
Crow Butte ParkBenton275disp=tableNaNdisp=table Administered by Port of Benton; formerly Crow Butte State Park (?–2002)
Damon PointGrays Harbor61disp=tableNaNdisp=tableAdministered by Washington Recreation and Conservation Office
Fay Bainbridge ParkKitsap17disp=tableNaNdisp=tableAdministered by Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District
Fort OkanoganOkanogan45disp=tableNaNdisp=tableAdministered by Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
Fort Ward ParkKitsap137disp=tableNaNdisp=table Administered by Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District
Griffin BaySan Juan15disp=tableNaNdisp=table  
Hanging GardensKing434disp=tableNaNdisp=table Now Hanging Gardens Site within the Green River Gorge Conservation Area
Mukilteo Lighthouse ParkSnohomish12disp=tableNaNdisp=tableFormerly Mukilteo State Park, deeded to City of Mukilteo in 2004
Osoyoos LakeOkanogan47disp=tableNaNdisp=table Now Osoyoos Lake Veteran's Memorial Park, operated by city of Oroville
Upright ChannelSan Juan20disp=tableNaNdisp=table  
Wenberg County ParkSnohomish46disp=tableNaNdisp=table Formerly Wenberg State Park; transferred to Snohomish County in 2009
West Hylebos Wetlands ParkKing120disp=tableNaNdisp=table  
WesthavenGrays Harbor79disp=tableNaNdisp=table Subsumed into the expanded Westport Light State Park in 2016.[10] [11]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Commission and agency information . Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission . December 7, 2012.
  2. Web site: Washington State Parks History. September 5, 2020.
  3. News: Judd. Ron. March 30, 2006. Parks are fee-free again, as they should be. The Seattle Times. December 24, 2009.
  4. News: Ammons. David. March 21, 2006. $5 fee at parks is gone. The Seattle Times. December 24, 2009.
  5. News: Wong. Queenie. April 21, 2011. Bill for parks fee goes to Gregoire. The Seattle Times. December 7, 2012.
  6. Web site: SB 5622 - 2011-12. December 7, 2012. Washington State Legislature.
  7. News: The Chronicle editorial staff . Maintaining parks already developed should have priority . June 11, 2024 . The Chronicle . April 14, 2006.
  8. News: Rosane . Eric . Deal Would Transfer 180 Acres of State Park Land to Lewis County . June 11, 2024 . The Chronicle . January 26, 2022.
  9. News: Mittge . Brian . Tale of two parks . June 11, 2024 . The Chronicle . April 12, 2006 . A1, A11.
  10. Web site: Westport Light State Park . Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission . August 20, 2018.
  11. News: Second Washington State Parks public meeting scheduled for Aug. 31 in Westport . The Daily World . Aberdeen, Wash. . August 18, 2016 . August 20, 2018.

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