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*August 2025*





A family sitting at a picnic table. My mom has her hands in the air with excitement. The dad and little boy are smiling. The little girl is coloring.

Deception Pass State Park

Trade your dinner table for a picnic table — your campsite awaits

Camping reservations >>> Dinner reservations

Who else agrees? If you’ve been dreaming of a summer night under the stars, there’s still time! Many Washington state park campsites are open before the season wraps up — you might just need a little flexibility.

Our “Flexible Dates” feature makes it easy to find a spot without endlessly scrolling through unavailable dates. Just head to our reservations website [ [link removed] ] and:


* Click on the "Arrival and Departure" section and select “Flexible Dates.”
* Pick your park and choose up to four months in advance.
* Add your group size and camping equipment.
* Hit "Search" to see all available dates and sites. Pro tip: Use filters to match your exact camping style.

Need a last-minute getaway? You can also book same-day reservations online [ [link removed] ] or by phone at 1-888-CAMPOUT (1-888-226-7688) — just be sure to do it by 2 p.m. on the day you plan to arrive.






*Soak up the last bit of summer at WA's state parks*






Ranger bent down showing a group of kids something cool on the beach at Deception Pass during a Junior Ranger event.

Deception Pass State Park

Enjoy the last events of summer

Find fun events and programs near you:

**Near the Pacific Coast
**Enjoy an author talk [ [link removed] ] at Fort Columbia and a guided hike [ [link removed] ] at Cape Disappointment.

*In the Olympic View Area
*Listen to a campfire ranger talk [ [link removed] ] about Fort Flagler's rich natural history, from its diverse wildlife and unique ecosystems to the geological forces that shaped the landscape it is today.

*Near Anacortes
*Bring your kids to a Junior Ranger Program [ [link removed] ] event or Friday's Game Night [ [link removed] ] at Deception Pass.

*Near Ellensburg
*Stop by Olmstead Place on Saturdays to visit the cabin and Smith house [ [link removed] ] and take part in kids’ geology activities [ [link removed] ] on Sundays at the Ginkgo Interpretive Center. 

*Near Leavenworth
*Join the Wenatchee Valley Astronomy Club under the stars [ [link removed] ] where they will answer your deepest cosmic questions, dive into the depths of the cosmos and explore our small harmonious Solar System.

*Near Spokane
*Participate in the Washington Trails Association's volunteer event [ [link removed] ] on Aug. 23. Volunteers will help trim back encroaching vegetation and clear drainage at Mount Spokane.

*In Tri-Cities
*Come out to Sacajawea to learn about some “Nansense” [ [link removed] ] (nature nonsense with Ranger Nan)! Each week has a different topic, but will always begin with story time with Ranger Nan, followed by an activity and/or craft.

Check out our Event Calendar [ [link removed] ] for more events through the end of summer!



A woman and man singing on stage with a large white screen behind them. The man is holding a guitar and their dog is laying in between them.

Mountain Melodies Concert Series at Lake Wenatchee State Park

Your license plate = More music, more festivals, more fun!

Did you know that every purchase of a State Parks specialty license plate [ [link removed] ] helps bring you incredible events and programs? A portion of every sale goes directly to State Parks’ programming — supporting crowd favorites like our summer concert series, cultural festivals and Junior Ranger Program.

So next time you’re at the Department of Licensing, you can do two great things at once: show your love for State Park events and give your car a fresh new look.

*Speaking of concerts, catch the last Folk & Traditional Arts Program concerts of the summer:*

Waikiki Beach Concert Series at Cape Disappointment | 7 - 8:30 p.m. [ [link removed] ]


* Aug. 23 - Tora'dan

Mountain Melodies Concert Series at Lake Wenatchee | 8 - 9 p.m. [ [link removed] ]


* Aug. 16 - La Famille Léger
* Aug. 23 - Eclectic Cloggers
* Aug. 30 - Chumlilies

Rhythm on the River Concert Series at Lincoln Rock | 7 - 8 p.m. [ [link removed] ]


* Aug. 15 - Chumlilies

American Roots Concert Series at Deception Pass | 7 - 8 p.m. [ [link removed] ]


* Aug. 16 - Dunton Sisters
* Aug. 23 - Schmid & Guest

*And don’t miss our upcoming cultural festivals:*


* United Communities of Laos Summer Festival [ [link removed] ] - Aug. 23 at Lake Sammamish
* Ubuntu Sankofa Festival [ [link removed] ] - Aug. 30 at Lake Sammamish

Thank you to the Washington State Parks Specialty License Plate Program [ [link removed] ], the Washington State Parks Foundation [ [link removed] ], the Deception Pass State Park Foundation and the Friends of the Columbia River Gateway for helping make these events possible.






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People on the rocky shore at Lyons Ferry about to go swim the designated swim area. It is a blue sunny day.

Lyons Ferry State Park






Parks staff share their favorite state park swims





This month, we asked our staff to share their favorite swimming spots in our state parks, and here's what they had to say:

Moran State Park

"Mountain Lake at Moran! Cascade Lake gets a ton of attention, so going a bit further up to Mountain Lake will yield a much more peaceful swim. A little bit colder, but a lot more worth it!"

-Andrew, Park Ranger, Moran State Park

Twanoh State Park

"Without a doubt, the waters out from Twanoh! It is one of the warmest and calmest spots in Hood Canal and probably in the whole Puget Sound. When I go there to SUP, I often do more swimming — or lazing around with my head and arms on the board and the rest of me in the water — than actually paddling."

-Meryl, Communications Consultant, Headquarters

Near the Willapa Hills Trail

"The Willapa Hills Trail (nearer to the eastern terminus) has some great gravel bars on the Chehalis that are usually pretty warm (and offer good bass fishing)!"

-Beowulf, Southwest Region Arbor Crew

Near the Centennial Trail

"Donkey Island in the Spokane River, accessed by the Centennial Trail. I've been swimming there since I was a kid and it's a great spot that's usually not very busy."

-Michael, Eastside Forester

Lyons Ferry State Park

"Lyons Ferry is an awesome spot to swim at! Being surrounded by the Palouse landscape, swimming in the confluence of the Snake and Palouse rivers is beautiful."

-Emily, Communications Consultant, Headquarters






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White bathroom building at Fort Townsend surrounded by green tall trees

Fort Townsend State Park






Keep things clean in the outdoors with our best hygiene tips





Hygiene goofs make good stories — when they turn out all right. But the consequences can be gross, if not dire, so here’s what to do in some common scenarios to keep your camp – and yourself – clean:  

"You’ve been hiking all day and you’re sweaty and grimy, but you’re the camp chef. " 


* You’ll be happy to know most of our parks have restrooms with hot water and soap.
* Even if you’re in a primitive campsite, there’s often a restroom within walking distance.
* You can heat a pot of water, pour it in a plastic bin, wash your hands with eco-soap for 20 seconds and fire up the grill.  

"After three days of camping, you don’t smell like a rose, but your dog just rolled in something fragrant, so maybe no one will notice you." 


* Good luck with that. But most of our campgrounds do have showers with hot water (but bring your own soap).
* If you’re primitive camping or on a long-distance trail, wipes, eco-soap and hand sanitizer are your best defenses against BO and gut issues.
* Eco-soap should not be used in lakes (soap is one of many things that cause algae blooms).
* When you’re packing clothes for your trip, remember wool is less smelly than synthetic material.
* Throw a stick and hope your dog jumps in the lake!

 "You’re done with your meal, but you drew the short straw for dish duty." 


* Please do not use bathroom sinks to do dishes. Instead, fill a plastic bin with warm water and eco-soap. Then, dump dirty dish water away from rivers and lakes (see the scenario below about toxic algae) – and your campsite.
* Likewise, take food trash to the campground dumpster after each meal to avoid midnight food raids by raccoons, rodents and bears!
* On the San Juan Islands, look for food poles and hang your food in stuff sacks to deter thieving raccoons. 

"Your favorite lake has a “toxic algae” warning sign. The trail is open, it’s 80 degrees, and your dog is itching for a swim." 


* We know Fluffy always gets her way, but this is a hard “No.” Keep that fur baby leashed and far from the shore; even wet shoreline can be toxic.
* Bring ample water and a bowl so she doesn’t try to drink lake water.
* Some lakes are just prone to blooms, but please do everything you can to leave no trace and keep our waters pristine! 

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View from the passenger seat of a car with a Discover Pass hanging from the rearview mirror looking out at a dirt road with evergreen trees along it
Buy your Discover Pass today!

Your purchase of a Discover Pass [ [link removed] ] helps keep our state recreational lands open and beautiful. Prices increase on Oct. 1, 2025, so buy yours today and lock in a full year of adventure for you and everyone in your car!

Our parks are home to several endangered species, some of the only known occurrences of many rare plant communities and the majority of Washington’s remaining lowland old growth forests. When you buy a Discover Pass, you’re contributing to the care of these lands and animals for future generations.

It’s also one of the best deals around, with unlimited access to more than 100 state parks, 350 recreation sites, 700 water-access points, 80 natural areas and 33 wildlife areas – all waiting for you to explore.

A Discover Pass is required for parking at state parks and recreation lands managed by Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR). One pass can be used by two vehicles but is only valid for one vehicle at a time.

Learn more and buy your Discover Pass online here. [ [link removed] ]






Park alerts





*Always check for park alerts and closures before heading out on an adventure!*

When you’re putting together your pre-trip checklist, make sure it includes checking the conditions at your intended destination. Here are a few parks with active alerts:

Lake Sylvia has been drawn down by five feet [ [link removed] ] to monitor cracks in the Lake Sylvia State Park dam, built around 1918.

Parts of Lake Sammamish State Park [ [link removed] ] will have intermittent closures and delays, including the boat launch and three trails along Issaquah Creek for underwater construction and a restoration project.

Much of Cape Disappointment State Park [ [link removed] ] is scheduled to close from mid-September to late May 2026 for major construction.

Check the full list of alerts here [ [link removed] ].






Trip resources





*How to plan a last-minute camping trip* [ [link removed] ]




*How to camp with fire restrictions* [ [link removed] ]




*What is leave no trace, and why we should all do it* [ [link removed] ]






Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park






Let's stay safe this fire season

We’re in the sweet spot for outdoor cooking and campfire magic — but it’s also wildfire season. Here’s how to keep the good times rolling and stay safe:

*1. Respect burn bans.*
They’re not here to ruin your fun — they’re here to protect you, our parks and wildlife. Always check for current burn bans [ [link removed] ] before heading out.

*2. If fires are allowed, be sure to fully put them out.*
Whether it’s a campfire, charcoal in a grill or a beach bonfire — if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. Douse with water, stir with a stick and douse again.

*3. Park smart.*
Keep cars and RVs on asphalt or gravel, not grass — hot engines can ignite dry vegetation.

*4. Extinguish all smoking materials.*
Cigarettes, cigars, pipes — drop them in water (no, not the bodies of water in our parks) until they’re fully out.

*5. Beach bonfires need space.*
Where allowed, keep fires at least 100 feet from dune grasses and make sure they’re completely out before you go.

For more, follow all DNR guidelines [ [link removed] ] and check out this cute fire safety video [ [link removed] ]. Let’s keep our parks safe, beautiful and ready for your next adventure. 

Want to know how to have fun without a flame? Learn about some alternatives here [ [link removed] ].








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