Summer splash: Paddle Safe week, Check Out Washington and more!





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*State Parks E-News*

*July 2023*






Check Out Washington
Check Out Washington this summer!

Washington?s state parks are some of the most iconic in the country. Now, more families will be able to experience the beauty in their backyard thanks to the expanded Check Out Washington program.

This year,?Check Out Washington [ [link removed] ]?will provide 500 Adventure Packs with Discover passes ? up from 400 in 2022 ? to local libraries around the state.?

Adventure Pack contents include a Discover Pass, which provides families with free parking at public lands managed by Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with educational materials; a set of three laminated pocket guides about Washington trees, wildlife and birds; and a high-quality set of binoculars.

Learn more about Check Out Washington [ [link removed] ].

Paddle Safe Week next week
Paddle Safe Week begins July 21!

Six years ago, the Recreational Boating Safety Program at State Parks created Paddle Safe Week to promote safety while out on the water!

Paddlesports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) are popular pastimes in our state, but they are not without risks. From July 21 to July 27, please watch for safety messages on our social media! As always:


* Wear your life jacket. You are required by law to carry a well-fitted life jacket on board with you, even on a SUP. Wearing it is the best way to stay safe.
* Be a role model in your community: know and demonstrate best safety practices. Help normalize paddling safety and encourage those around you to do the same.
* Help share the message! Share safety tips with friends and family! Use hashtag #PaddleSafeWeek on all social media posts, and direct people to learn more [ [link removed] ].
RVers love state parks
RVers love State Parks

"And we want you to have a great experience with us!"

We know afternoon traffic is bad, and an early start is a great way to beat it! But early check-ins cause traffic jams in one-way campground loops, and no one wants to start their leisure time with a ?clash of the titans.? We?re asking all campers to arrive at or after the designated check-in time.

*Check-out time is 1 p.m. for all campsites.*


* Up to that time, cars and RVs will be leaving their sites. Our park aides will then clean them and trim branches that might otherwise scratch up your rig.

*Check-in time is 2:30 p.m. for all campsites.*


* At that time traffic should be going one way. Campsites will be clean and ready for use. Please watch for pedestrians in the campground loops.

Please check in with the park office before driving to campsites.

Early arrivals do have some options! Call the park (or the local visitors? bureau) ahead of time to learn about day parking and tourism activities.






*World music, wooly mammoths and more!*





Cambodian Festival
*The hills are alive with the sound of music.?**(Sorry/not sorry. We couldn't resist.)*

Our Folk and Traditional Arts Program [ [link removed] ] is bringing the hills to life with the second annual Mountain Melodies concert series [ [link removed] ] at Lake Wenatchee State Park. From the Balkans to the Appalachian, you?ll be regaled by world music accompanied by birdsong and mountain breezes.

American Roots [ [link removed] ] and Waikiki Beach [ [link removed] ] concerts continue at Deception Pass and Cape Disappointment.?Cama Beach will [ [link removed] ]?host square dancing July 21 - 22.

Saltwater State Park [ [link removed] ] will hold three international events. Enjoy, and learn about your fellow Washingtonians? cultures:


* Laotian Festival: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat., July 15
* Cambodian Festival (pictured): 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat., Aug. 12
* Iu Mien Community Festival: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun., Aug. 13


mammoth tooth
Found at Fort Worden: a mammoth bone and tooth!

When a couple discovered a mystery bone on the beach at Fort Worden, staff serendipitously learned of a mammoth tooth (pictured above) that had also been found in the park.

Our latest blog post chronicles Parks? efforts to preserve the specimens and our work with natural and cultural artifacts.

Read about it [ [link removed] ] and find out what to do if you find something similar in a Washington state park.

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Info Center
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Info Center now taking appointments

The Parks Information Center at our headquarters in Tumwater is ending walk-in services.?Our team will offer more?

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personalized service in the form of in-person appointments.

This change will help Parks efficiently serve you by guaranteeing staff availability, minimizing wait times and providing dedicated face-to-face interactions with minimal interruptions.?

The headquarters building, including the front desk, will remain staffed. An intercom system has been installed at the building?s main doors so staff can greet and direct you.?

If you wish to make an in-person appointment with the Information Center, please call 360-902-8844 or email [email protected].?








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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 1111 Israel Road S.W. ? Tumwater ? WA 98501-6512 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
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