Washington State Parks E-News December 2024





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*December 2024*





Large group photo of people participating in Lake Wenatchee's First Day Hikes snowshoe event in winter gear and snowshoes in front of the lake
Start 2025 with an adventure!

Join us on Jan. 1 for our annual First Day Hikes [ [link removed] ] events — an opportunity for everyone to get outside and enjoy a beautiful state park! 

Choose a guided hike, snowshoe excursion, trail ride, polar plunge or scavenger hunt to enjoy on New Year’s Day.  

First Day Hikes events vary in difficulty, ranging from smooth, flat ADA-accessible trails to moderate hill climbs. A few parks will even offer multiple hikes to suit different interests and skill levels. Additionally, several hikes will include talks with rangers, which allow attendees to learn about the park's history and natural features. All participants will receive a collectible Washington State Parks 2025 First Day Hikes pin.

Most First Day Hikes require advanced registration, and group sizes may be limited. Visit our website [ [link removed] ] to view all activities and registration information.  

*Note:* All hikes are free and a Discover Pass [ [link removed] ] is NOT needed to park on state managed lands on Jan. 1, our first free day of 2025. However, if you plan to participate in a First Day Hike [ [link removed] ] at a park that becomes a Sno-Park during the winter (Lake Easton State Park [ [link removed] ], Lake Wenatchee State Park [ [link removed] ] and Mount Spokane State Park [ [link removed] ]), a Sno-Park permit [ [link removed] ] is required. 

"Thank you to the Washington State Parks Foundation [ [link removed] ] for supporting our 2025 First Day Hikes events."






*Experience the wonders of our state parks*






Two people with very large bigleaf maple leaves in front of their faces
Big love for the Bigleaf Maple

If you’ve ever taken fall photos of your face half covered by a huge brown or yellow maple leaf, you were likely posing with a true Washington favorite — the bigleaf maple.

Known scientifically as "Acer macrophyllum" (with "macro" meaning large and "phyllum" meaning leaf), this tree is one of the larger deciduous types (those that shed their leaves at the end of the growing season) found in many state parks throughout western Washington. Our Arbor Crew highly recommends the bigleaf maples at Dosewallips [ [link removed] ]!

Visit our blog [ [link removed] ] to read more about this un-be-leaf-able tree — and keep an eye out for more Tree Identification blogs coming your way this winter!



Giant waves crashing at the coast of Cape Disappointment with the lighthouse on top of a rock in the background
The King Tides are coming

Hello, moon phase enthusiasts! How many of you check the moon's phase daily (we see you, astrology lovers)?

Did you know that the gravitational forces of the sun, moon and Earth influence our tides? These celestial bodies work together during winter to create Washington's most impressive tides of the year — known as king tides. And guess what? They're headed to the coast and Puget Sound next month!

It's worth mentioning that while king tides don't always bring massive waves, when they do, the sights can be breathtaking (just like this photo at Cape Disappointment). So, be sure to keep an eye on the waves and weather forecast [ [link removed] ] to make the most of your visit.

Check out our blog [ [link removed] ] for all the details and start planning your trip to witness this awe-inspiring phenomenon.






Mark your calendars for the 2025 Discover Pass free days

The Washington State Discover Pass Program designated 12 Discover Pass free days for 2025.  

On these days, visitors will not need a Discover Pass [ [link removed] ] to park a vehicle at a Washington state park or on lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) [ [link removed] ] and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) [ [link removed] ]. 

The 2025 Discover Pass free days are: 


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Wed., Jan. 1 - New Year’s Day and First Day Hikes


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Mon., Jan. 20 - Martin Luther King Junior Day 


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Sun., March 9 - Billy Frank Junior’s Birthday 


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Wed., March 19 - State Parks’ 112th Birthday 


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Tues., April 22 - Earth Day 


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Sat., June 7 and Sun., June 8 - Free Fishing Weekend 


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Thurs., June 19 - Juneteenth 


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Sat., Aug. 9 - Smokey Bear’s Birthday 


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Sat., Sept. 27 - National Public Lands Day 


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Fri., Oct. 10 - World Mental Health Day 


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Mon., Nov. 11 - Veterans Day 






Wooden dock on the water leading to the rocky beach and large green trees at Lake Sylvia State Park
Lake Sylvia's construction is now complete

Lake Sylvia State Park has completed construction after closing last summer to replace a culvert [ [link removed] ] with a sturdy new bridge.

The park entrance road is now strong, safe and beautiful. Park staff and the Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia (FOSLS) simultaneously worked to make improvements, so this gem near Montesano is prettier than ever.

However, recent storms have temporarily extended the closure while our team manages downed trees and a power outage. Please check alerts [ [link removed] ] before heading to the park.

Lake Sylvia State Park [ [link removed] ] is still planning to host a staff-led First Day Hike [ [link removed] ] on Jan. 1. You can learn more about this event on our website [ [link removed] ].

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One person using the new track chair at Lake Sammamish and another person walking alongside them at the beach

Action Trackchair is back in action for winter at Lake Sammamish

The Action Trackchair at Lake Sammamish is available this winter and spring by contacting the park for advance reservations. Call 425-455-7010 or connect by email <[email protected]>. Staff will have the battery charged up and contact you if bad weather prohibits use of the chair. 

Please bring an ID and a friend to help with transitions between chairs. Be sure to let friends and family with mobility needs know about this fantastic way to get around Lake Sammamish.* * 

Next May, the Trackchair returns to the Adaptive Cycling Center at Lake Sammamish, run by Outdoors for All Foundation [ [link removed] ]. 

*Learn more* [ [link removed] ]






Two women at Easton Reload Sno-Park's First Day Hikes event posing in front of Cabin Creek smiling and having fun in the snow


*Seek out new experiences in 2025*

"*What does the new year have in store for you?*"

Could it be visiting a new park, learning something new from one of our interpretive centers, participating in First Day Hikes, attending one of our summer concerts or making the perfect s’more over a campfire?

Find what you are looking for on our website:


* Find Parks [ [link removed] ]
* Find activities [ [link removed] ]
* Events calendar [ [link removed] ]







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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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