Winter is an incredible time to road-trip through Washington. Many parks that accept RVs and vans stay open year-round.





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*December 2025*





Two people poking their heads out and waving from their airstream trailer at Deception Pass

Deception Pass State Park

Calling all RV travelers & van lifers

Winter is an incredible time to road-trip through Washington. Many parks that accept RVs and vans stay open year-round, offering quiet loops, open hookup sites and beautiful off-season scenery. 

A few things to keep in mind: 


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*Water hookups vary:* Many parks turn off water but still provide winter water access at restrooms, dump stations or specific sites. Plan to arrive with a full fresh tank or be ready to fill up at the designated winter spigot. 


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*Power is widely available:* Even when water is off, electrical hookups remain on – great for heating, cooking and keeping batteries charged. 


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*Dump stations may have winter access:* Some remain open year-round; others close seasonally or during hard freezes. 


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*Roads can be icy:* Always check pass conditions [ [link removed] ] and park alerts [ [link removed] ] before you roll out. 


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*Enjoy the solitude:* Winter is one of the best times for van lifers and RVers to find peaceful campsites that are booked solid in the summer. 

Whether you’re weekending in your camper van, chasing snow in your RV or even braving it in your tent, Washington’s state parks offer plenty of beautiful winter spots to call home for a night, or several. 

Read our most recent blog [ [link removed] ] for the full lineup of state parks with reservable campsites [ [link removed] ] during the winter season, along with notes on which specific sites are closed this time of year and water availability.  






*Kick off 2026 outside*






Group of people posing for a selfie at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls during First Day Hikes

Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park

Start the new year with a hike

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 interpretive activity 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 2026 First Day Hikes button.  

*Note: *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.

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 2026. However, if you plan to participate in a First Day Hike [ [link removed] ] at a park that operates as a Sno-Park during the winter (Fields Spring [ [link removed] ], Lake Easton [ [link removed] ], Lake Wenatchee [ [link removed] ] and Mount Spokane [ [link removed] ]), a Sno-Park permit [ [link removed] ] is required.  

"Thank you to the ""Washington State Parks Foundation" [ [link removed] ]" for supporting our 2026 First Day Hikes events." 



Group of people snowshoeing at Lake Easton Sno-Park

Lake Easton Sno-Park

More state park events

Visit our Event Calendar [ [link removed] ] to check out more events happening at our state parks this December and as we head into 2026.

*In Spokane**
*Join park staff at Riverside State Park throughout the month of December to help with forest health tree thinning [ [link removed] ]. 

*In Othello
*Come enjoy good company and stunning scenery on a guided hike [ [link removed] ] with park staff along the Frenchman Hills Trail Loop at Potholes State Park on Dec. 14 at 1 p.m.

*In Coulee City
*Take a refreshing stroll [ [link removed] ] with Interpretive Ranger Sarah along the Park Lake Trail at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park on Dec. 28 at 1 p.m.

*In Federal Way
*Kick of the year with park staff on Jan. 3, from 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m., for a trail work party [ [link removed] ] at Dash Point State Park. 

*In Easton
*Participate in a guided snowshoe hike [ [link removed] ] at Lake Easton Sno-Park every Friday and Saturday at 9 a.m. starting Dec. 26 through mid-March.

*In Cle Elum
*Enjoy an exhibition [ [link removed] ] of the Milwaukee Railroad history housed in the original depot every Friday and Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., starting Dec. 26 through mid-March.

*In Vantage
*Learn about Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park's geology [ [link removed] ] every Sunday at 12 p.m. through mid-March.






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Beautiful view overlooking Pearrygin Lake State Park with mountains in the background

Pearrygin Lake State Park






Which state park is a must-visit in 2026?





This month we asked our staff, 'what state park is on your must-visit list in 2026, and why?' Hopefully, our staff's suggestions will give you some ideas for your own 2026 adventures. 

""Fort Casey in January. Grayland in May. Pearrygin in August, with a quick stop by Curlew. Fields Spring in September. Mostly new stops with a couple that have my heart."" -Kerri, Customer Service Manager

""Dosewallips State Park and Rasar State Park. My goal is to stay at the cabins at these parks so I can have a basecamp to explore these parks and hike some of the surrounding trails in these more remote areas that a day trip would be too long for."" -Locksley, Environmental Program Specialist

""Lake Wenatchee in late summer, early fall (early August through mid-October). The warm wind off the lake and the beautiful setting make me always come back for more....""in the winter when I bring cross-country skis and schluss along, just feet from the lake. Gorgeous!"" -Suzanne, Lake Sammamish Program Specialist

""For me, it's Curlew, Conconully, Gardner Cave, a night in the Quartz Mountain fire lookout at Mount Spokane and pedaling the far eastern segment of Palouse to Cascades Trail. Basically, a week exploring our parks in the far NE."" -Meryl, Communications Consultant

""Goldendale Observatory — my 9yo daughter is very into astronomy and got a telescope as an early x-mas present. The observatory is on the list for this year for sure — maybe spring break? Combine with some wildflower touring! But first we gotta hit the Sno-Parks for xc skiing, sledding, etc. We just need some snow!"" -Nathan, Environmental Steward

""For me, it's Pearrygin Lake by a mile! One of our staff members ""submitted a staff photo (see above) of the snow-covered mountains towering above the yellow hills that blew my mind. I had no idea how beautiful that area was and now it's top of my list to go out there and see it for myself.""" "-Sarah, Communications Manager

Got some inspo? Head to our website [ [link removed] ] to check out the suggested parks.






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RVs lined up at the campground at Fort Flagler looking out onto the beach

Fort Flagler State Park

Fort Flagler offers year-round reservations

Plan your beach getaway now! You can start making reservations at Fort Flagler’s beach campground all year long for arrival dates beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Prior to this change, the campground would transition to first-come, first-served camping from October to April. 

Now, you can make sure you have a campsite waiting for you at one of Washington’s most popular state parks where you can spend the night at a historic military fort along a stunning saltwater coastline. Book now [ [link removed] ]!

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People using the telescope at Goldendale Observatory

Goldendale Observatory State Park






Explore our Visitor & Interpretive Centers this winter





Not too fond of the wet, cold weather? We get it — but that doesn't mean you have to stop visiting state parks in the winter. A few of our parks offer year-round inside activities, you just have to know where to look [ [link removed] ].

Come experience the gorgeous overlook at the Ginkgo Petrified Forest Interpretive Center [ [link removed] ] of the Columbia River or retrace the journey of the Corps of Discovery at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center [ [link removed] ]. Peer through one of the largest amateur-built telescopes in the country at Goldendale Observatory [ [link removed] ] or learn about fort and military life at the turn of the 20th century at the Fort Flagler Museum [ [link removed] ].

Many interpretive and visitor centers [ [link removed] ] are open year-round; others are open seasonally — make sure to check their hours before you head out.

Take interpretation to the next level

Do you enjoy meeting new people, learning about state parks, sharing stories and helping visitors connect with Washington’s incredible natural, cultural and historic treasures?

Washington State Parks is looking for Interpretive Hosts — volunteers who support park staff in welcoming guests, protecting resources and bringing history and nature to life.

Each park offers a different interpretive hosting experience. Interpretive hosts may open/close interpretive centers or historic sites, help with tours, work in gift shops or support ranger programs. 

If you're interested, please visit our website [ [link removed] ] for more info or to apply.

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Back of the Action Trackchair at Riverside State Park riding up a hill

Riverside State Park

Action Trackchair has a new winter home at Riverside State Park

Spokanites and visitors to Riverside who use mobility devices can now use our all-terrain, motorized Action Trackchair at Riverside State Park [ [link removed] ].

Book a 90-minute timeslot and take the Trackchair for a spin on two trails in the Trautman Conservation Area. There will be one morning and one afternoon timeslot available on Mondays and Fridays. The Trackchair must be reserved in advance, and temps below 25° or snow over 4" will cancel chair operations, so please call the park office for more information and book your timeslot at (509) 465-5064. If the park doesn’t answer, please leave a message and staff will call you back as soon as they can.

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Three past interns standing in front of the erupting Mount St. Helens photo at the visitor center

Mount St. Helens Visitor Center

Become an intern at the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center this spring

Want hands-on experience in environmental education and park interpretation? We're looking for an Interpretive Naturalist Intern for the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center [ [link removed] ].

Intern duties will include, welcoming visitors, assisting with school field trips, supporting youth group programs and even pitching in on light trail and visitor center maintenance. It's a great way to learn, meet people and spend time in a beautiful state park.

Apply now! [ [link removed] ]






Park alerts





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

Before you finalize your trip plans, make sure your checklist includes reviewing current conditions of your destination. Here are a couple of active alerts [ [link removed] ] to be aware of:

Cape Disappointment [ [link removed] ]'s camping is closed entirely until late spring 2026 while the park undergoes major renovations. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center [ [link removed] ], North Head Lighthouse [ [link removed] ] area, Beard's Hollow, Waikiki Beach and the North Jetty will remain open during construction.

Recent weather events have caused wash outs and flooding in some parks. Conditions can change quickly, so be sure to check alerts [ [link removed] ] on our website before you visit.

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






Trip resources





*The “10 Essentials” to take on every outdoor adventure* [ [link removed] ]


*The King Tides are coming* [ [link removed] ]




*Ready for winter? Here are a few tips to keep it merry and bright* [ [link removed] ]


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




*Trip ideas for cabin, yurt and vacation home stays this fall and winter* [ [link removed] ]


*Sno-Park passes explained* [ [link removed] ]






Group of people participating at the First Day Hike at Beacon Rock on one of the switch back trails overlooking the Columbia River

Beacon Rock State Park






Get outside on the first Discover Pass free day of the year

Every year we designate 12 days when you don’t need a Discover Pass [ [link removed] ] to park on state-managed lands. Get outside on the first Discover Pass free day of the year — Jan. 1, 2026.

Here is the full list of the 2026 Discover Pass free days:


* Jan. 1 - New Year’s Day & First Day Hikes
* Jan. 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
* March 9 - Billy Frank Jr.'s Birthday
* March 19 - State Parks’ Birthday
* April 22 - Earth Day
* June 6 - Free Fishing Weekend
* June 7 - Free Fishing Weekend
* June 19 - Juneteenth
* Aug. 9 - Smokey Bear's Birthday
* Sept. 26 - National Public Lands Day
* Oct. 10 - World Mental Health Day
* Nov. 11 - Veterans Day







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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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