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State Parks E-News
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June 2023
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 How to have a "Beach-Friendly Fourth"
It’s hard to believe it’s nearly the Fourth of July!
Many people love to celebrate Independence Day with a trip to the beach. Washington State Parks encourages everyone who celebrates to be safe and good stewards of the environment.
We remind everyone that fireworks are illegal on all state park lands, including beaches in front of state parks. Discharging fireworks on state park lands can result in a $99 ticket.
We also ask that people respect any beach driving closures in areas designated to protect wildlife and marine habitat. Although it’s legal to drive onto the beach in several areas, all the rules of the road apply. The speed limit is 25 mph. Pedestrians and horses are always granted the right of way.
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You should only drive on hard-packed sand. We recommend finding a nearby paved parking lot and walking to the beach to avoid getting stuck in the sand.
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No parking is permitted along the entry to beach access points. Please obey all posted "No Parking" signs. Keep beach and beach approach roads clear. Congestion at access points limits the response ability for emergency vehicles.
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Cars parked below the high tide line may get stuck or washed out to sea. Tow support will be limited or unavailable.
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It's always illegal to use drugs or alcohol and get behind the wheel. Open container laws apply to beaches. Keep safety belts buckled when moving.
Finally, we ask visitors to dispose of their litter in designated receptacles. If one is not available, please plan to bring trash bags to pack it out yourself.
The holiday increases traffic and visitation to our coastal beaches, which means we see a spike in amounts of litter. Last year, volunteers collected more than 35,000 pounds of garbage from ocean beaches during Parks’ annual July 5 beach cleanup. That’s equivalent to the combined weight of four adult orca whales.
Any litter left behind on the beach threatens the safety and future of beach wildlife and marine life and can be unsafe for people and pets.
If you are interested in helping keep our beaches safe and clean, join us on July 5 for a beach cleanup volunteer event. Washington CoastSavers will be putting a list of participating beaches and check-in locations on their website. Pre-registration is not necessary – just show up and help.
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Beach concerts, bike rides and bones! |
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Meet Suciasaurus: Washington’s state dinosaur!
Did you know Washington has a state dinosaur?
This year, Governor Inslee made it official with Parks’ very own Suciasaurus. Suciasaurus (meaning "Sucia Island lizard") is the informal name given to the first dinosaur discovered in Washington. A fossil theropod nicknamed "Suciasaurus rex" was discovered in 2012 at Sucia Island State Park. It's likely the rocks that today form Sucia Island originated much further south, possibly near what is now Baja, California in Mexico. The island moved to its present-day spot over 80 million years, with the help of earthquakes and continental drift.
On your next visit to our San Juan Area parks, be sure to check out the 3D-printed version of the bone with Hobbes Barber, Interpretive Specialist, who has been planning talks, programming and events that surround the bone for folks to enjoy.
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 Meet at the beach for concerts this summer!
Fill your Saturday evening dance cards with live music and beachy breezes!
Our Folk and Traditional Arts Program has a fabulous lineup of outdoor concerts this summer, with new bands and fan favorites playing tunes from around the world.
Whether you want to impress a new date, romance your sweetie or entertain kiddos and teens, you can’t go wrong with the Waikiki Beach concerts at Cape Disappointment and American Roots concerts at Deception Pass.
Check out the schedule here, along with concerts at Tolmie and Cama Beach. And check back for the Second Mountain Melodies series at Lake Wenatchee and the Annual Laotian Festival July 15 at Saltwater State Park!
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 Ride the Willapa!
Plan your next adventure along the Willapa Hills Trail and explore the brand-new, multi-use Littell Bridge near the Adna Trailhead!
The new bridge gives trail-goers a safe crossing over State Route 6 as they explore the long-distance trail on foot, bike or horseback. With completion of this project, the trail is safe and usable from its eastmost trailhead in Chehalis and westward on to Pe Ell and beyond.
The community is invited to come out and celebrate during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 23. Then, get out and enjoy the beauty of the Willapa Hills Trail with Lewis County Community Trails at its annual Ride the Willapa event on June 24.
Learn more about the new bridge and how to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony here.
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As the weather heats up, so does the risk of wildfire. Please help us protect your parks by doing your part to prevent human-caused wildfires.
Here are some tips to help you stay fire-safe this season:
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- Know before you go. Always check your intended destination for burn bans and fire restrictions.
- Make sure your campfire is out. Never leave a smoldering campfire. Remember: if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.
- Park in designated parking areas. Do not park vehicles in dry, grassy areas. The heat from the underside of your vehicle can spark dry grass.
- Never play with matches, lighters or campfires.
- Leave fireworks at home. Fireworks are prohibited on all state public lands, including state parks and beaches that front state park lands.
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