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International festivals continue at Lake Sammamish & Millersylvania
You have two more chances to experience international festivals at Lake Sammamish, with more intercultural events happening in September in the South Puget Sound region.
Also hailing from Africa — Senegal to be exact — our Folk and Traditional Arts Program (FTAP) and Olympia’s Arbutus School welcome Mathape Diop for a workshop on the traditional drumming of Senegal, Sun., Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. at Tolmie State Park.
Finally, mark your calendars for Sept. 28, when FTAP and the statewide Latino Leadership Network host the Hispanic Heritage Festival at Millersylvania State Park!
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How to camp with fire restrictions
We know campfires are a fundamental part of the camping experience for many people — providing warmth, light, a gathering place for stories and the distinctive aroma that many associate with the great outdoors. With burn bans in place, camping trips need to look a little different, but they can be just as fun. Check out our blog to learn about some alternatives to consider when you can’t have a traditional campfire.
We also want to give a big THANK YOU! to our wonderful visitors who have been following the burn bans at our parks. Thank you for doing your part.
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How to plan for a last-minute camping trip
Many of us don’t have the luxury of being able to book a campsite nine months in advance. Heck, sometimes we barely know what we're doing tomorrow!
Although it’s great to be able to plan ahead, sometimes you just want to be a little spontaneous. We can help you with that.
Here are some useful tips about how you can plan a just-as-successful last-minute camping trip in a state park!
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 Camping and moorage fee update
We are updating our camping and moorage fees so we can continue providing great experiences for visitors amid inflation and rising costs. Because reservations can be made up to nine months in advance, beginning Aug. 15 you will see a rate increase for camping stays booked for May 15 and beyond. Moorage fees will increase Jan. 1.
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The battery-operated chair uses similar technology to an all-terrain vehicle, with a track that looks like the back of a snowmobile instead of wheels. This allows people with mobility needs to access parts of the park they may have otherwise had trouble reaching.
A companion must be able to help the user transition into and out of the chair, if needed.
The chair will be housed in the Outdoors for All Adaptive Cycling Center (ACC) at Sunset Beach until the center’s season ends Sept. 30. The chair is currently available for one or two two-hour sessions each day between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on a first-come-first-served basis. The ACC also houses a fleet of over 250 adaptive bike rentals for anyone ages seven and up.
Can you feel a nip in the air? Fall is coming! OK, maybe you can’t (or don’t want to) feel it yet, but fall is still coming, and with it comes a few park closures to note when planning off-season trips.
The boat launch at Triton Cove State Park is closed Aug. 14 - 22 for dock repair. Restrooms will remain open during this week, and boaters are encouraged to use nearby public launches at Quilcene Harbor or Twanoh State Park.
The Mount St Helens Visitor Center, just across the road from Seaquest, will close Sept. 30 until late spring 2025 for an exhibit update. It is anticipated to reopen by the 45th anniversary of Mount St. Helens’ eruption on May 18, 2025.
Finally, Cape Disappointment State Park’s main entrance, campground and several day-use areas will close Sept. 16, 2024 to late March 2025 for several construction projects. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Beard’s Hollow and North Head Lighthouse (and reservable historic lightkeepers’ residences) will stay open through the winter.
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 We are fortunate to manage one of the largest, most diverse — and most beautiful — parks systems in the country.
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Time for a new adventure? Join the team!
There are nearly 1,000 employees who help steward our parks, including park rangers, maintenance and construction specialists, customer service staff, planners, engineers, managers, administrative professionals and support staff serving in seasonal or career full-time capacities.
We invite you to join us on the adventure and apply today.
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