Rolling into the holidays and 2024!





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*November 2023*





2024 free days man opens car door in sunlight
*Mark your calendars for?the 2024 Discover Pass free days!*

It?s never too early to start planning free visits to Washington's state parks and recreation lands! The Discover Pass free days for 2024 have been announced! [ [link removed] ]

And there?s one free day left this year ? Friday, Nov. 24.

(Discover Pass free days do not apply to Sno-Parks [ [link removed] ], which require separate permits [ [link removed] ].)






*Tis the season for giving and winter events!*






Graham cracker village with candy corn roof
Park events shine a light on Washington's winter
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The shortest day of the year is approaching, but don?t let the darkness dampen your mood! Several parks host winter events to spur creativity and spirit of service. We?ve listed them, but please check our Event?Calendar [ [link removed] ]?for updates!

*Lake Sammamish State Park ?*

"Sat., Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to noon."?Restoration and tree planting. Dress for the weather, bring snacks and water. Register here. [ [link removed] ]

"Sat., Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to noon." Painting in the Park Party. Art supplies provided. Limited capacity. Register here. [ [link removed] ]

*Moran State Park* ?

"Sat., Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m." Create a holiday swag or wreath! Cocoa, popcorn and wreaths provided. Bring art supplies, warm clothes, snacks. Call 360-376-2326 for more information.

*Fort Casey Historical State Park?*?

"Sat., Dec. 9, 4 - 7 p.m." Light Up Your Holidays [ [link removed] ]?with a marshmallow roast, holiday music, scavenger hunt and more!



Pendleton blankets with State Parks logo for sale at our online storeState Parks 2024 calendar
Do your online holiday shopping with us!
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Is someone in your life a Washington State Parks fan? If so, they might need some cozy winter gear with our new logo, like a limited edition Pendelton blanket, to-go mug, backpack or beanie.

We also have the tried-and-true: our 2024 calendar, icon prints, notebooks, guidebooks and more!

We?re here to make your holiday gift-giving easier! Get your Parks-themed presents at our online store [ [link removed] ]! Order by Dec. 13 for on-time delivery.






Plan a First Day Hike for the happiest New Year!

First Day Snowshoe with ranger, Squilchuck State Park

If you already know ?get outdoors more? will be one of your New Year?s resolutions, you can start right away with a First Day Hike.

State parks in most parts of Washington will host First Day Hikes on Jan. 1, 2024. Many areas will offer group snowshoes or bike rides. There will also be one paddle, weather permitting, at Ike Kinswa? ? ?advance registration required <[email protected]>. More than 10 hikes will be ADA-accessible.

These family-friendly, staff-led or self-guided activities are a great way to start the year ? and take advantage of the first Discover Pass free day of 2024. Stay tuned for more information, and keep checking our Calendar of Events [ [link removed] ] for updates!







Parks will replace 35 mooring buoys

Boats anchored in the bay at Patos Island, San Juans, on a winter day.

Did you know we maintain 259 mooring buoys at 40 parks across Puget Sound, Hood Canal, Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas and the San Juan Islands??

Well, these anchoring systems can get pretty grody in all that salt water. Eventually, they begin to corrode. We?ve identified 35 buoy systems in 16 parks that are at risk of breaking. So, as of early November, we?ve closed them. We anticipate replacing them by next winter, 2024-25.

Although the 35 individual buoys will be closed, boaters will still find mooring capacity in each of the affected parks. Learn more and see the list of parks here [ [link removed] ].?







Moran State Park's Mount Constitution Tower in winter snow


Weather happens.?Don't get caught out in the cold!?

Please see our park alerts [ [link removed] ] to stay up on weather-related closures this season!








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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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