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Start 2025 with an adventure!
Join us on Jan. 1 for our annual First Day Hikes 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 to view all activities and registration information.
Note: All hikes are free and a Discover Pass 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 at a park that becomes a Sno-Park during the winter (Lake Easton State Park, Lake Wenatchee State Park and Mount Spokane State Park), a Sno-Park permit is required.
Thank you to the Washington State Parks Foundation for supporting our 2025 First Day Hikes events.
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Experience the wonders of our state parks |
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 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!
Visit our blog 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!
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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 to make the most of your visit.
Check out our blog for all the details and start planning your trip to witness this awe-inspiring phenomenon.
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 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 to park a vehicle at a Washington state park or on lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
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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Lake Sylvia State Park has completed construction after closing last summer to replace a culvert 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 before heading to the park.
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. 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.
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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:
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