The Season of Snow Ready or not, the season of snow is upon us. It’s time to trade in our hiking boots for snowshoes and cross country skis. From skiing, to snow shoeing, to tubing, to just general play time, there are lots of winter time activities available in Washington. The State Parks are a great resource for finding the right place for your activity of choice.
Rules to adhere toIt’s important to note that sno-parks are distinct from state parks. Sno-parks crisscross state and federal lands and involve many land managers, state agencies, concessionaires, and contractors. At sno-parks you can find motorized, non-motorized and animal-driven recreation opportunities. Sno-parks are maintained by the Winter Recreation Program.
By purchasing a Sno-Park Permit, you help pay for trail grooming, lot clearing and plowing, sanitation, education and enforcement. [...]
Changes to the Senior Pass The Senior Off-Season pass at the Washington State Parks allows seniors to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the state parks when they are far less crowded and at a much discounted rate.
However, this program is preparing to undergo a few changes to make off-season reservations easier for more seniors to enjoy. After much consideration, the State Parks have decided to end the practice of refunding campers for advance reservations before the purchase of a Senior Off-Season Pass. This means you will only be able to use your reservation discount on reservations made Sept. 1 through April, and after you purchase your discount pass. Refunds will not be issued for reservations made in advance, even if the reservation is made for a date in the off season.
More equitable opportunitiesIn [...]
There are so many amazing national parks, it can be hard to choose one to visit. If you’re traveling in an RV, though, there are some parks that are friendlier and easier to visit than others. Check out our list of RV friendly National Parks and start planning your travel for this and future summers.
Badlands National ParkBadlands National Park posts otherworldly scenery – you may feel like you’ve been dropped in another planet. There is much to take in here, and the park is easily traversed with your RV. The hills are limited, the roads well developed, wide and easy to navigate. Trailhead parking lots are quite spacious, big enough to fit just about any rig.
Everglades National ParkWith 1.5 million acres to be explored, the Everglades National Park is the third largest in [...]
Remarkable site close to home If you are looking for remarkable destinations not far from home, Dry Falls should be at the top of your list for this summer. This site has long been popular among Washingtonians, but it is now getting international recognition. In fact, it was recently recognized as one of the first 100 International Union of Geological Sciences Geological Heritage sites. Keep reading to learn more about this designation from the Washington State Parks.
Newsflash from Washington State ParksThe International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), one of the world’s largest scientific organizations, has selected Dry Falls to be part of The First 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites, which includes areas designated by the geoscience community for their significant impact in understanding the Earth and its history.
“It is [...]
The perfect event backdrop A State Park can provide the perfect stunning backdrop for your next event. Whether you’re planning a wedding, an anniversary party, a retirement celebration or other event, a State Park may be just the perfect environment. However, there are some special considerations to keep in mind if you’re planning on celebrating on State Park land. Read on to learn more.
State Park Event Considerations- What will be provided? When you host events at more traditional venues the venue will often offer inclusive or for rent furniture, linens, decorations, and other event accessories. The offerings at a State Park may be limited. This means that you may have to rent things like tables and chairs from somewhere else. When planning your event, you need to budget [...]
Spend the best months outdoors There is nothing better than getting to work where you love to recreate. Washington State Parks are now hiring seasonal park aides for the spring and summer months. This is a great job opportunity for recent grads, people transitioning from one job to another, and seniors who love being active. From April to September you can get paid to hang out in the parks, either locally here in the Wenatchee Valley or at many of the other State Parks throughout the state.
Park aides enjoy a wide variety of duties. These duties include registering campers, maintaining trails, cleaning campgrounds and maintaining facilities. They also may staff park offices, assist visitors and help with interpretive and educational programs. If you like variety, it’s the perfect job for [...]
Snowy Adventure Awaits If waking up to the dazzling, sparkling vista of fresh fallen snow sounds enticing, then winter camping is for you. There are many opportunities at Washington State Parks to camp in the wintertime – and warm up. State Parks can offer a gentle introduction to winter camping with amenities like heated bathrooms, kitchen shelters, roofed cabins and miles of groomed ski and snowshoe trails.
Tent Camping at Lake WenatcheeFor the bargain price of $20 a night, you can rent a campsite at beautiful Lake Wenatchee. Come prepared to set up your site, though. You’ll want shovels to clear an area for your tent, as well as stakes and/or snow anchors or stuff sacks to fill with snow. Scared of the cold? There are heated indoor restrooms offering hot showers and a kitchen [...]
Do you like playing in the snow? We’re fortunate to live in an area of the country that is just as fun outdoors in the winter as it is in the summer. Many State Parks are open during the winter season for various winter sports. However, these parks often require special permits for use. Read on to learn about the 2022 Washington Sno-Park Permits.
Sno-Park Permits available as of November 1stThe State Parks Winter Recreation Program manages over 120 recreation sites, or Sno-Parks, across the state for recreators to enjoy during the winter season. Parking at these sites requires special permits.
Seasonal or one-day Sno-Park permits can be purchased online or through a licensed vendor.
Snowmobilers also must register their snowmobiles through the Washington Department of Licensing.
In addition to the seasonal permit, [...]
Get kids excited to be outdoors It’s not an uncommon scene. Mention a trip to a state park and your young kids start to roll their eyes. They would much rather sit in the AC watching their favorite characters on screen. However, this summer there’s a fun way to get your young ones excited about that State park visit. At participating Washington State Park locations, you can pick up a brochure that will allow your kids to explore the park with Gabby’s Dollhouse.
Gabby’s Dollhouse BrochureThis colorful brochure is packed with educational activities to keep your kids engaged with both the park and one of their favorite characters. You can either pick up the brochure at a participating location or you can download and print it yourself. Break away from screens this summer and head [...]
Engage your kids in the Parks Are you looking for ways to engage your kids in the great outdoors (instead of their screens) this summer? The Junior Park Ranger program at both the Washington State Parks and the National Parks is a great way to do just that. Junior Rangers take an oath of their own to protect parks, continue to learn about parks, and share their own ranger story with friends and family. The Junior Ranger booklet and badge program is a fun way for youth and families to explore national and state parks. Designed for youth 4 and up, this self-guided program encourages families to discover the natural and cultural wonders of the park system through fun exploration, games, and creative activities.
Washington State Junior RangersTo become a Junior [...]
