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 You know it's fall when __________?
You swap out summer clothing for sweaters and pants?
You switch from cold brew and frappes to caramel lattes and PSL?
You notice the leaves turning color?
"Yes!" to all this and more! But we know it’s fall when seasonal, harvest and dare we say Halloween-themed programs pop up in our Calendar of Events.
On Saturday, Sept. 28 we’ll see several events at parks around the state:
September is Hispanic Heritage Month and we’re celebrating once again at Millersylvania 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance registration required by Sept. 25.
Heritage Days also returns to Sacajawea State Park, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fort Flagler will give its weekly battery tour at 2 p.m. on all Saturdays in September. Group size is limited to 10 on a first come, first served basis.
And, don't forget, Sept. 28 is National Public Lands Day and a Discover Pass free day!
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Ready to sea a change?
State Parks helps put on three beach cleanups a year on our Pacific Coast and Salish Sea beaches. We haven’t even held our third cleanup of 2024, and we’ve already surpassed our 2023 haul from all three cleanups by more than 12,000 lbs.
In short, 145,719 pounds of marine and firework debris have been cleaned off our beaches so far this year. Every year, these numbers get higher, and staying positive has been rough. We feel more like Sisyphus pushing that boulder up the hill.
Luckily, there is a solution, but we need your help! And you can start this very weekend at the International Coastal Cleanup, Saturday morning, Sept. 21, at several WA beaches.
Marine debris is one of the greatest threats to our waterways. If not collected, much of the garbage ends up in the ocean where birds, fish and marine mammals get entangled or ingest it. Plus, microplastics end up in the food chain (gross).
Be a part of the change! Sign up for the International Coastal Cleanup!
Visit CoastSavers.org, see all participating beaches and pre-register for the event.
Even if you can’t come to the cleanup, please do your part whenever you visit a beach: bring trash bags and pack out everything you pack in.
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Park project updates
We're still hammering away at our summer construction projects, and we start a few new ones this fall:
- Lake Sylvia is anticipated to remain closed until late 2024 as additional excavation was required to secure the new bridge to the park entrance. We will provide updates if the park reopens ahead of schedule.
- The Mount St. Helens Visitor Center will close Sept. 30 with expected reopening in May 2025. The center will undergo a total update to its exhibits, the first in nearly 40 years.
- Adjacent Seaquest State Park will close on Sept. 18 through mid-October to complete road work.
- The Cornet Bay boat ramp at Deception Pass State Park will close at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22 to replace a power line. We anticipate reopening the boat ramp reopening the next morning on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
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Visit our project pages for more information and the latest updates.
Our mission includes long-term upkeep of parks, including renovations and repairs, so they can be enjoyed for generations to come. We appreciate your patience with these temporary closures.
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 No "Disappointment" this year!
Our anticipated construction project at Cape Disappointment State Park has been postponed. That means the campground and other impacted areas will remain open until work resumes next fall.
We have opted to postpone the project due to anticipated delays in the permitting process and delivery of supplies. Both of these factors posed a risk to our desire to have the park fully reopened by Memorial Day, one of the most popular camping weekends of the year.
But we know what you’re really wondering: Can I get a campsite?!
We closed camping availability during the anticipated closure window (Sept. 16-June 2025). The park is currently issuing permits for first come, first served camping only. Campsites will fully reopen for advance booking through the Washington State Parks Reservation System at 8 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 23.
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Hanging out on the beach at Lake Wenatchee just got easier for folks with mobility needs, thanks to a new Fixed Frame Beach Wheelchair and ADA beach mats.
The chair is instantly recognizable for its big, wide wheels, which allow it to move on shifting sands and uneven surfaces. It’s free to check out for the day or a few hours; just call the park office in advance at 509-763-3101. Bring a friend to help push it, since the chair is not motorized. Users will need to fill out a liability waiver onsite.
The park acquired the new chair thanks to a Community Partnership Fund grant, which is jointly funded by Confluence Health and Wenatchee Valley Medical Group.
Use our blog as your co-pilot!
From camp recipes and road trip ideas to stewardship opportunities and helpful tips, our Field Guide Blog is your one-stop shop for State Parks travel planning this fall! Plot out a shoulder season itinerary, then make simple, delicious sandwiches, side dishes and desserts for your getaway. Some recipes can be made in camp, while others need a little prep time at home. Along the way, our blog has tips to guard against invasive insects and protect endangered shore birds.
And, if you happen to be making these plans to impress a new crush, check out this dating app interview, where we offer ideas for dating in state parks! (Musical instrument and Peace Arch border guard chaperone not guaranteed.)
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Looking for a new adventure?
Join our team!
We are fortunate to manage one of the largest, most diverse — and most beautiful — parks systems in the country.
Nearly 1,000 employees 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!
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