Deception Pass State Park

Last-minute camping? No problem!

When you need the trip to actually make it out of the group chat, we've got you covered!

Many Washington state park campsites are still 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 and:

1. Click on the "Arrival and Departure" section and select “Flexible Dates.”
2. Pick your park and choose up to four months in advance.
3. Add your group size and camping equipment.
4. 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 or by phone at 1-888-CAMPOUT (1-888-226-7688) — just do it by 2 p.m. on the day you plan to arrive. 

Although it’s great to be able to plan ahead, sometimes you just want a little spontaneity! Here are some tips on how you can plan a just-as-successful last-minute camping trip.

📢 Note: If you follow us on social media, you’ll see we’ve been posting open campsites each week on our Facebook and Instagram stories. Check in weekly through mid-September to see which parks still have plenty of sites available.

Be the neighbor everyone loves

Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy Washington’s state parks — and a little courtesy goes a long way. At many sites, your neighbor’s tent might be just a few feet away. Here’s how to be a great camping neighbor:

➡️ Know the basics

• Check-in: 2:30 p.m. | Check-out: 1 p.m.
• Quiet hours: 10 p.m. - 6:30 a.m.
• Generators: OK between 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.

➡️ Campsite etiquette

• One camping party per site (max 8 people)
• Respect your neighbors — keep noise and lights down
• Stay on trails and don’t walk through other campsites

➡️ Having a fire

• Check for burn bans before lighting a fire of any kind
• Fires must be in designated fire pits, controlled and never left unattended
• If fires are allowed, make sure you completely put them out — if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave

➡️ Pets & animals

• Keep pets leashed and clean up after them (your dog would be mortified to know you left his poop sitting out in the open)
• Pets are not allowed on designated swimming beaches
• Don’t feed or disturb wildlife

➡️ Keep it clean

• Use park trash bins or pack out your garbage
• Don't burn garbage in the designated fire ring
• Leave your site better than you found it

Let’s keep our parks safe, clean and peaceful — for you, your neighbors and the wildlife that calls them home.

Fort Worden State Park

Your guide to fall concessions at state parks

September is one of the best times of year to explore a Washington state park — and here’s some good news: many of our concessionaires will keep their doors open into, and even through, next month.

For others, though, the fall season signals the end of operations as they wind down after a busy summer of serving food, firewood, gear and fun.

Here’s a look at what autumn brings for the local businesses that help make your State Parks experience memorable:

➡️ Closing in September

(Schedules vary — some open daily, others weekends only)

Daroga State Park

Explore the Field Guide

Discover tips and resources in our Field Guide Blog — from campfire safety and the importance of Leave No Trace, to fall park adventures, new camp recipes and more. Start with a few of our featured blogs below.

Buy your Discover Pass now for just $30 and enjoy a full year of outdoor adventure

Your purchase of a Discover Pass helps keep our state recreation lands open and beautiful. The price will increase on Oct. 1, 2025, so buy yours today!

It’s 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.

Our parks are also home to endangered species, some of the only known places where several rare plant communities grow 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.

Learn more, and buy your Discover Pass online here.

Visit a state park on one of the last free days of 2025

We have three more Discover Pass free days left:

• Sept. 27 - National Public Lands Day
• Oct. 10 - World Mental Health Day
• Nov. 11 - Veteran's Day

On these days, visitors do 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). 

Don’t forget our first free day of the year, Jan. 1 — when we celebrate with annual First Day Hikes. Check our website closer to the date to see which hike you’d like to join in 2026.

Love park events? Help support them with a State Parks license plate.

Did you know that every purchase of a State Parks specialty license plate 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.

Catch the last Folk & Traditional Arts Program concerts of the summer:

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

• Aug. 23 - Tora'dan

Mountain Melodies Concert Series at Lake Wenatchee | 8 - 9 p.m.

• Aug. 23 - Eclectic Cloggers
• Aug. 30 - Chumlilies

American Roots Concert Series at Deception Pass | 7 - 8 p.m.

• Aug. 23 - Schmid & Guest

And don’t miss the upcoming cultural festivals:

• United Communities of Laos Summer Festival - Aug. 23 at Lake Sammamish
• Ubuntu Sankofa Festival - Aug. 30 at Lake Sammamish

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

Be a state park pro with these helpful tutorials

Check out this new video series from our official charitable partner, the Washington State Parks Foundation. These tutorial videos are available in English and Spanish and will help guide you through what you need to know so you're ready for your adventure when you arrive:

• "Check-In" guides Washington state park visitors through arrival procedures and getting situated at their campsite
• "Campground Etiquette" explains guidance and best practices to make sure everyone has fun
• "Bringing Your Dog to the Park" provides tips for a safe and pleasant camping experience with pets

View all of the videos here.

Know before you go on your next adventure

Before heading out, take a minute to check local forecasts and visit our website to view current park alerts. Park closures, wildfire restrictions or severe weather can change plans fast, and staying updated can help you avoid surprises.

August and September are peak months for burn bans, so please:

• Respect burn bans. They’re not here to ruin the fun — they’re here to protect you, the parks and the wildlife. Always check before you go.
• If fires are allowed, put them out completely. Whether it’s a campfire, charcoal grill or beach bonfire — if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. Douse with water, stir and douse again.
• Park smart. Keep cars and RVs on asphalt or gravel. Hot engines can ignite dry grass.
• Extinguish smoking materials. Drop cigarettes, cigars or pipes into water (no, not a lake or stream) until they’re fully out.
• Give beach bonfires space. Where allowed, keep fires at least 100 feet from dune grasses, and make sure they’re cold to the touch before leaving.

For more guidance, follow all DNR guidelines and check out this cute fire safety video.

🔥Want to enjoy your trip without a flame? Check out our fun fire-free camping ideas here.