Clams, cocktails, and kayaks: Hidden gems in your local state park

Longstanding concessionaires have reopened at our parks for the season, while new businesses are working in parks to bring you pedal boats, coffee drinks, cocktails and more!

Morning coffee is on at Fort Worden's new mobile espresso stand, Gypsy Coffee House.

New for 2025:

Lake Sammamish Paddle Company at Lake Sammamish

Come paddle or pedal on Lake Sammamish! Rent a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), kayak, pedal boat or hydro-bike. Open daily through Labor Day and weekends in September and October, weather permitting. Reserve or buy a gift card.

The Posh Pescatarian at Twanoh

Leave the camp stove at home and treat yourself to freshly prepared meals, daily specials, beer and wine at Twanoh. Take delicious seafood dishes to your campsite or enjoy them on the beachside concession building patio. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Posh Pescatarian serves up seafood dishes like these yummy clams at Twanoh.

Cable House Canteen and Olympic Tours at Fort Worden

The historic beachside canteen is back and better than ever at Fort Worden! Buy snacks, drinks, beach gear, sundries and gifts. Give the family chef a night off and get burgers and fries from the grill, open Wednesday through Sunday. Now that you’re fueled up, rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or take a guided kayak tour with Olympic Tours.

Gypsy Coffee House at Fort Worden

Look for the restored vintage milk wagon in the field next to Fort Worden Commons or follow your nose to aromatic hand-crafted espresso drinks! Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Taps at the Guardhouse Bar and Kitchen at Fort Worden

Taps at the Guardhouse has new owners and menus, but you can still have a snack, meal and drinks in a historic jail cell at Fort Worden (you can also eat on the patio). Listen to live music on select evenings and get coffee and pastries from 9 to 11 a.m. Meal service is open 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and Sundays until 7 p.m.

Taps at the Guardhouse reopens at Fort Worden with a new menu, but you can still eat in a jail cell.

Cay Sal Pies at Belfair

Make your picnic at Belfair easy as pie with fresh, made-to-order sandwiches, specials and frozen pie on a stick from Cay Sal’s pop-up tent/kitchen. Open Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day.

Café El Camino at Millersylvania

Skip your camp coffee and walk over to Café El Camino’s vintage Airstream at Millersylvania for your favorite espresso drink. Open daily 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Labor Day. 

Sweet Sipz at Potholes

Potholes’ first concession Sweet Sipz sells unique espresso and energy drinks (try cucumber/Red Bull with fruit on top or Marzipan strawberry coffee!), snacks and breakfast burritos. Find them Thursday through Sunday, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. and check out their colorful drinks on Instagram.

Sweet Sipz premiers at Potholes this summer.

Longstanding and beloved:

Nearly 50 concessionaires already operate at WA state parks, where regular visitors look forward to the expanded activities they offer. They include:

• Must-have brunch and baked goods with views of the Saratoga Passage and Whidbey Island at the Cama Beach Cafe
• Guided horseback riding at Riverside and Lake Wenatchee
• Jet ski rentals at Lincoln Rock
• Surfing lessons at Westport Light
• Kayak and paddleboard rentals at Spencer Spit and Deception Pass
• Drinks and snacks in a historic CCC cabin at Millersylvania
• Skim board lessons at Saltwater
• Hydro-bike rentals at Alta Lake and Battle Ground Lake

Don't forget to check out the park stores at 30 state parks around Washington! Stock varies by location, but many offer food, ice, firewood, coffee, adult beverages and ice cream.

Cay Sal Pies is all set up at Belfair with specialty sandwiches, burgers and frozen pie on a stick.

A win for everyone!

Most of our concessionaires are small, local businesses. The concessions program is one way state parks and local entrepreneurs support each other and rural communities, contribute to Washington’s tourism economy and enhance visitors’ experiences — a win-win for everyone!

Find your next state park destination on our website, and see what concessions are offered.

Below: a family out for a paddle with Lake Sammamish Paddle Company.