Find your park in Washington this spring!

Rolling dune-colored hills; rocky snow-covered mountains; sandy beaches lined with tide-pools and sea stacks; glacier carved azure-blue lakes; trails winding through mossy evergreen forests… Washington has some of the most varied geography on the planet. It’s all open for everyone to explore by visiting one of the state’s many parks. There is something for everyone here. And with spring in the air, Washingtonians have a new opportunity find their park right here in Washington.

With over 130 parks to choose from, here a few highlights from Washington’s state park network — places to go with kids, for accessible trails, and to ride a bike, hike or paddle. The full list of every state park and recreation area statewide is available here.

Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park is one of the geological wonders of North America. This park features a 400-foot-high, 3.5-mile-wide cliff, deep gorges and dark, reflective lakes.

Where to go for accessible trails

Willapa Hills State Park Trail

The Willapa Hills State Park Trail stretches 56 miles between Chehalis in Lewis County and South Bend in Pacific County, giving visitors easy access to scenic views of the Willapa Valley and the beautiful countryside of western Washington. It’s the perfect spot for family friendly and accessible adventures because it offers a relatively flat route for pedestrians, non-motorized wheeled users, and equestrians to explore year-round.

Willapa Hills State Park Trail is one of five long-distance routes managed by Washington State Parks and is a key segment in the cross-state network spanning from the Idaho border to the shores of Willapa Bay. It is passible in most weather conditions, open year-round and offers recreational options for pedestrians, non-motorized wheeled users, and equestrians.

The most popular way to use the trail is to start in Chehalis and head west, but there are several other ways to begin your journey. Trailheads in Lewis County include Chehalis, Adna, Rainbow Falls State Park and Pe Ell. Pacific County offers access points at Lebam, Menlo, Raymond and South Bend. Check out a map of the trail.

The Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail

The Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail offers an accessible way to explore the beauty of eastern Washington, from the Nine Mile Recreation Area on Lake Spokane to the Idaho border.

View of the Sandifur Bridge from the Centennial Trail, which offers park-goers the opportunity to travel from the Spokane Valley to Washington’s border with Idaho along a 40-mile trail designed for multiple modes of travel.

The 40-mile trail is designed for hikers, cyclists, inline skaters, wheelchair users and other travelers to follow the Spokane River into Riverside State Park. From there, the trail heads east through historic downtown Spokane and into the Spokane Valley. If you make it all the way to Idaho, you can continue your journey all the way to Coeur d’Alene on the North Idaho Centennial Trail. All along the way, stop to check out the more than 40 historically significant sites that dot the trail and enjoy the remarkable geology and high desert ecosystems. Check out a map of the trail.

Where to go with kids

Lake Sammamish State Park

It’s not a mirage. Lake Sammamish State Park is a family-friendly oasis just outside the city of Seattle. This 531-acre park has two lakefront beaches with sandy shores perfect for building sandcastles and playing games. The park also features a brand-new, state-of-the-art playground. Take a dip in the water or grab rental kayaks and paddleboards at Tibbetts Beach. There are also 1.5 miles of paved, flat hiking and biking trails. Be on the lookout for eagles, great blue herons and other birds that nest in the park.

Lake Sammamish State Park offers plenty of activities for families and folks of all ages, from birdwatching and paddling to swimming and lounging on the beach.

Lake Sammamish also hosts fun community events year-round. They include nature, birding, stewardship projects, paddling and cycling events, kids’ obstacle courses, summer concerts, and the annual summer Parkadilly Fair.

Pro tip: This is a popular park. Try planning a midweek trip to avoid the bulk of crowds that flock to the park’s waters on the weekend.

Rockport State Park

Little explorers will be amazed as they wander the winding forest trails at Rockport State Park, at the foot of Sauk Mountain in Skagit County. The towering old growth trees, thick understory and watchful birds make this a true emerald gem. The 632-acre park has five miles of easy hiking trails and a one-mile accessible loop trail with interpretive signs to teach your whole family about the towering giants that surround you. Check out a map of the park.

Rockport State Park features stands of old-growth trees that have never been logged. Kids and adults can learn all about this forest’s seldom-seen ecosystem on guided ranger walks, while taking in the crisp smell of conifers and listening for the sounds of birds and other animals who make their home in the lush vegetation.

Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park

One of the most significant geological wonders in the world can be found in Grant County. Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park, part of an ancient riverbed called the Grand Coulee, has sweeping views of the channeled scablands.

Where a waterfall roared thousand of years ago, you can now see a 400-foot-high, 3.5-mile-wide cliff over deep gorges and dark, reflective lakes. Nothing beats the boat launch and social atmosphere of Park Lake, and Deep Lake presents a remote paddling and kayaking experience. The lure of Dry Falls Lake entices anglers to cast out for trout. Hiking trails wind through the scented, sage-dotted hills to table-top cliffs with panoramic views. The park even offers nine-hole and miniature golf for visitors who equate a desert vacation with a good game on the green. Check out a map of the park.

Where to go paddling

Millersylvania State Park

Millersylvania State Park is a summer paradise for beginning paddlers right in the state’s capitol, Olympia. Grab your canoe or paddleboard and visit Deep Lake to try out your new favorite hobby. Visitors will discover two swimming beaches, miles of forested hiking and biking trails, watercraft launches, easy fishing, and rentals for kayaks, paddleboards and pedal boats. Millersylvania will keep you busy for a satisfying weekend or an extended outdoor vacation. Check out a map of the park.

Millersylvania State Park includes Deep Lake, where people of all ages can swim and splash in the sun, as well historic shelters to hide from the rain. The shelters were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and are hallmarks of the era’s craftsmanship.

Lyons Ferry State Park

Get immersed in history at Lyons Ferry State Park in Franklin County. This family-friendly 168-acre day-use park has more than 52,000 feet of shoreline to explore at the confluence of the Snake and Palouse rivers. But what makes this area special is its place as the dividing point for the floods that occurred as glaciers melted after carving the Palouse River canyons more than 13,000 years ago. Lyons Ferry area was also home to a Palouse (Palus) Native American village. The first written accounts of this village were documented by Lewis and Clark and the Corp of Discovery while passing through the area in October of 1805.

Lyons Ferry State Park, located along the banks of the Snake and Palouse rivers, hosts swimmers, picnic goers, boaters, and anglers casting out for the catch of the day. Long home to Native Americans, this state park was also visited by Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery on their westward journey in 1805.

From taking in the history of the surrounding area to boating, freshwater fishing, paddling, swimming, bird watching and picnicking, this park offers something for every member of the family. Check out a map of the park.

What to mark your calendar for

Nisqually State Park — Washington’s newest state park addition

Nisqually is set to be the site of Washington’s first new state park in more than a decade. While the park remains under development, it is currently open for visitors.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is excited to continue work on the development of a brand new state park in Nisqually. This is the first new park in the state parks system since Cama Beach was established about 15 years ago and, before that, Rasar State Park in 1996. The new park will be approximately 1,280 acres with opportunities for hiking and horseback riding.

Parks is working closely with the Nisqually Tribe on this project.

“The Nisqually Tribe is taking care of the Nisqually watershed from Mount Rainier to the sea. Our vision for Nisqually State Park is that it helps us tell our story through our art, culture and environmental stewardship,” Will Frank III, Chairman of the Nisqaully Tribe said. “We’ve always taken care of the land and river. Visitors to the park will see a living example of how we work together with Washington State Parks to make sure our homeland is protected for generations to come.”

Parks has already received funding for land acquisitions and some of the development from the State Recreation and Conservation Office. The park is open for visitors, but facilities are limited while Parks continues to develop the area.

As Parks continues developing the area, there will be camping, water access and interpretive services to connect with Washington’s and the Nisqually Tribe’s rich heritage and shared history.

Just like every one of Washington’s State Parks, Nisqually Park is a place where everyone has an opportunity to find their park this spring.

There is something unique about every single one of Washington’s state parks.

Fast facts about Washington’s state parks

Which park is Washington’s oldest state park?

Larrabee State Park, established in 1915

Where can people find Washington’s official state waterfall?

Palouse Falls, featuring a waterfall with a drop of 200 feet

Which park is the best place to look for stars?

Goldendale Observatory, which includes a large telescope open to the public (by appointment only) for afternoon solar programs and evening stargazing programs

Which park is best for seeing Washington’s official state bird?

The American Goldfinch can be found throughout the state, but it especially likes to spend time in open fields surrounded by trees. Parks officials recommend heading to are Rainbow Falls, Seaquest or Birch Bay — but these birds could be anywhere!

Which park is named after a U.S. president?

Lincoln Rock was named after President Abraham Lincoln by late 19th-century explorers who thought the basalt outcropping resembled the profile of our nation’s 16th president.

Which park has the biggest lake?

Lake Chelan — a 50.5-mile lake, with a depth of 1,486 feet

Which park has the longest trail system?

The Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail runs to more than 250 miles. The trail connects multiple state parks and reflects Parks’ long-term commitment to developing cross-state trails

Which park is best for seeing orcas?

Lime Kiln Point State Park, at the west end of San Juan Island, is considered one of the best places on earth for land-based whale watching.

Which state park was the site of the only dinosaur fossil discovery in Washington?

Sucia Island Marine State Park, where paleontologists discovered the femur bone of a dinosaur now called the Suciasuarus Rex. Legislators recently approved making the Suciasuarus Rex the official dinosaur of Washington state.

Which park is best for seeing our state gem?

The state gem is petrified wood, can be seen on the Trees of Stone Interpretive Trail at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park.

Supporting the parks system with a Discover Pass

A Discover Pass is required to access many of the state’s parks and recreation lands, including:

• Washington’s state parks
• More than 350 primitive recreation sites, including campgrounds and picnic areas
• Nearly 700 water-access points
• Nearly 2,000 miles of designated water and land recreation trails
• More than 80 natural areas
• More than 30 wildlife areas

An annual pass costs $35, and a day pass is $11.50. Passes can be purchased here before your next visit! Today, when you buy the Discover Pass, you are helping to keep the state’s wonderful outdoor recreation sites open and accessible to the public.

Parks also hosts several free entrance days every year. The complete list of free days for 2023 includes:

• Jan. 1 — First Day Hikes; New Year’s Day
• Jan. 16 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• March 9 — Billy Frank Junior’s Birthday
• March 19 — State Parks’ 110th Birthday
• April 22 — Earth Day
• June 10 — National Get Outdoors Day
• June 11 — Free Fishing Day
• June 19 — Juneteenth
• Sept. 23 — National Public Lands Day
• Oct. 10 — World Mental Health Day
• Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
• Nov. 25 — Autumn Day

That list includes Earth Day — tomorrow, April 22. What better way to celebrate than by finding your park right here in Washington?