Washington State Parks is kicking off its 100th birthday
celebration with events across Washington state. All events are free unless otherwise noted.
Washington state parks are filled with rich historical and cultural places, along
with some of the most beautiful natural areas in the Northwest. Many parks offer a
variety of educational opportunities for visitors to learn more about the culture,
history and nature of the park and surrounding areas. Visitors may enjoy a campfire
program, attend a junior ranger activity, explore a museum and experience a living-history
presentation.
To find an interpretive event at your favorite state park, view the interpretive
events schedule below.
Washington state parks play host to a variety of unique events that connect
communities to their state parks. Dance to music by a lake, explore festival booths,
celebrate the birthdays of historic locations, soak in local art, gaze at stars or
sing by the sea at a state park event. Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program
events, presented in cooperation with the Washington State Arts Commission, celebrate
the rich heritage and culture found in Washington state.
Find information about community and Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program
events in the calendar.
| Ongoing events |
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2013 |
ESVA Centennial State Parks Challenge: Walk across Washington with the Evergreen State Volkssport Association (ESVA) in celebration of the State Parks centennial year. The year-long program challenges participants to walk through Washington state parks in the seven ESVA regions. The program is open to everyone and limited to the first 100 participants that register. Registration begins at the Edmonds Turkey Trot on Nov. 24, 2012. Registration is $10 per person and includes a challenge stamp booklet, a logo hatpin and a pencil. Those who complete the challenge will receive a State Parks Centennial 2013 flag patch. For more information about the ESVA, volkssporting or the challenge, visit www.esva.org.
- Detailed News Release -
|
Statewide |
Saturdays
March 20 - Nov 7 |
Off-Road Vehicle Safety Training (Dirt Bike School): Off-road vehicle drivers are invited to dirt bike school at Riverside State Park. Classes are held Saturdays from March 20 to Nov. 7. The one day classes are endorsed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Participants will meet in the ORV area. Contact (208) 683-2600 for class details.
|
Riverside, ORV area
(509) 465-5064 |
| December 2012 |
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
Dec. 13 - 16
6 - 8 p.m. |
Winter Wonderland at Bowl and Pitcher: Walk in a winter wonderland at the Riverside State Park four-day holiday festival. Santa Claus, carolers and hay rides entertain visitors against a backdrop of lights along the suspension bridge and throughout the Bowl and Pitcher area. Hot chocolate, coffee, cider and baked goods are provided by the Riverside State Park Foundation. Admission is $5. The Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to the event. For more information, visit www.riversidestatepark.org.
- Detailed News Release -
|
Riverside
(509) 465-5064 |
| January 2013 |
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
Jan. 1
1 p.m. |
First Day Hikes, Pearrygin Lake: Ring in 2013 by connecting with nature at a First Day Hike in one of many Washington state parks on New Year’s Day. Discover the natural beauty of Washington as part of a national effort to share stewardship for natural, cultural and recreational resources. The First Day Hikes kick-off a year-long celebration of State Parks’ centennial year.
The snowshoe hike and cross-country ski at Pearrygin Lake State Park is along two and a half miles of easy trail, beginning at the east park office. The hike is open to anyone with snowshoes or skis. Dogs are allowed and must be on-leash at all times. Participants are suggested to take along warm clothes, hats, gloves, either snowshoe or skis and snacks. For more information, call (509) 996-2370.
America’s State Parks First Day Hikes are occurring across the country. The National Association of State Parks Directors organizes the nation-wide effort. For more information about First Day Hikes, visit www.americasstateparks.org/first-day-hikes.
- Detailed News Release -
|
Pearrygin Lake, east park office
(509) 996-2370 |
Jan. 1
1 p.m. |
First Day Hikes, Riverside: Ring in 2013 by connecting with nature at a First Day Hike in one of many Washington state parks on New Year’s Day. Discover the natural beauty of Washington as part of a national effort to share stewardship for natural, cultural and recreational resources. The First Day Hikes kick-off a year-long celebration of State Parks’ centennial year.
The hike at Riverside State Park is along the Bowl and Pitcher River Trail, beginning at the Bowl and Pitcher swinging bridge parking lot. The hike is open to participants of all ages. Dogs are allowed and must be on-leash at all times. Participants are suggested to take along warm clothes, gloves, a camera, hiking boots and snowshoes (depending on conditions). For more information, call (509) 465-5064. To contact the ranger on duty the day of the hike, please call (509) 850-5109.
America’s State Parks First Day Hikes are occurring across the country. The National Association of State Parks Directors organizes the nation-wide effort. For more information about First Day Hikes, visit www.americasstateparks.org/first-day-hikes.
- Detailed News Release -
|
Riverside, Bowl and Pitcher swinging bridge parking lot
(509) 465-5064 |
| Jan. 21 |
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 21. The Discover Pass is not required to visit state parks on free days. The State Parks free days for 2013 are:
Jan. 21: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
March 30: Recognition of State Parks’ 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 - 28: Recognition of National Parks Week
June 1: National Trails Day
June 8 - 9: National Get Outdoors Day and WDFW Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4: Peak summer season free day
Sept. 28: National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 - 11: Veteran’s Day weekend
America’s State Parks First Day Hikes are occurring across the country. The National Association of State Parks Directors organizes the nation-wide effort. For more information about First Day Hikes, visit www.americasstateparks.org/first-day-hikes.
|
Statewide |
| February 2013 |
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| Feb. 10 |
Spokane Langlauf 10K Cross – Country Ski Race: Skiers of all levels of experience are invited to the 10K cross-country ski race through Mount Spokane State Park. This is the 35th anniversary of the 10- kilometer classic citizen race. Elite and Fast zones are open to those with USSA competitor’s licenses. Beginner skiers, very young athletes and participants wanting to enjoy the scenery of Mount Spokane are welcome to register for the Fun Zone. The first 400 registrants will receive a commemorative ski pin. Prize will be awarded to top winners. Hot soup and refreshments provided by Europa will be available to participants after the race. Online registration is open through Feb. 6. Late, in-person registration is available from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at Fitness Fanatics in Spokane. Presented by the Langlauf Association. The Spokane Langlauf is one of four events in the Selkirk Nordic Series. For more information, visit www.spokanelanglauf.org or email skixc@hotmail.com.
|
Mount Spokane
(509) 238-4258 |
| Feb. 23 |
Group Health/Providence Health Care Challenge: The last race in the Selkirk Nordic Series, ski through Mount Spokane State Park during the Group Health and Providence Health Care Challenge. Registration required for participation. For more information, visit www.spokanenordic.org.
|
Mount Spokane
(509) 238-4258 |
| March 2013 |
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| March 3 |
Selkirk Challenge 35/50K: Take the Selkirk Challenge through Mount Spokane State Park, a 35K and 50K self-timed freestyle cross-country ski race. Registration required for participation. For more information, visit www.spokanenordic.org.
|
Mount Spokane
(509) 238-4258 |
| March 30 |
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free March 30 in recognition of State Parks’ 100th birthday on March 19. The Discover Pass is not required to visit state parks on free days. The remaining State Parks free days for 2013 are:
March 30: Recognition of State Parks’ 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 - 28: Recognition of National Parks Week
June 1: National Trails Day
June 8 - 9: National Get Outdoors Day and WDFW Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4: Peak summer season free day
Sept. 28: National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 - 11: Veteran’s Day weekend
America’s State Parks First Day Hikes are occurring across the country. The National Association of State Parks Directors organizes the nation-wide effort. For more information about First Day Hikes, visit www.americasstateparks.org/first-day-hikes.
|
Statewide |
| April 2013 |
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| April 27 - 28 |
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free April 27 and 28 in recognition of National Parks Week. The Discover Pass is not required to visit state parks on free days. The State Parks free days for 2013 are:
April 27 - 28: Recognition of National Parks Week
June 1: National Trails Day
June 8 - 9: National Get Outdoors Day and WDFW Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4: Peak summer season free day
Sept. 28: National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 - 11: Veteran’s Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
|
Statewide |
| June 2013 |
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| June 1 |
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free June 1 in recognition of National Trails Day. The Discover Pass is not required to visit state parks on free days. The State Parks free days for 2013 are:
June 1: National Trails Day
June 8 - 9: National Get Outdoors Day and WDFW Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4: Peak summer season free day
Sept. 28: National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 - 11: Veteran’s Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
|
Statewide |
| June 8 |
Centennial 2013 Signature Event - Riverside: Commemorate the State Parks Centennial 2013 with family fun at Riverside State Park in Spokane. Festivities celebrate 100 years of memories and begin the creation of memories for the next 100 years. A second signature event for Western Washington is Aug. 3 at Deception Pass State Park. More information will be available closer to the event. The Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access.
Please note: June 8 is a State Parks free day in recognition of National Get Outdoors Day. The Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to state parks on free days.
|
Riverside
(509) 465-5064 |
| June 8 - 9 |
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free June 8 and 9 in recognition of National Get Outdoors Day. The Discover Pass is not required to visit state parks on free days. The State Parks free days for 2013 are:
June 8 - 9: National Get Outdoors Day and WDFW Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4: Peak summer season free day
Sept. 28: National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 - 11: Veteran’s Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
|
Statewide |
| August 2013 |
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| Aug. 4 |
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free Aug. 4. The Discover Pass is not required to visit state parks on free days. The State Parks free days for 2013 are:
Aug. 4: Peak summer season free day
Sept. 28: National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 - 11: Veteran’s Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
|
Statewide |
| September 2013 |
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| Sept. 28 |
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free Sept. 28 in recognition of National Public Lands Day. The Discover Pass is not required to visit state parks on free days. The State Parks free days for 2013 are:
Sept. 28: National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 - 11: Veteran’s Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
|
Statewide |
| October 2013 |
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| Oct. 4 - 6 |
Outboard Hydroplane Regatta: The annual outboard hydroplane regatta returns to Pearrygin Lake State Park. Hear the roar of hydroplanes as they race along the waters of Pearrygin Lake. Testing begins on Friday, with racing on Saturday and Sunday. Pits are located at the west boat launch. Hosted by the Whidbey Roostertails Outboard Hydroplace Club.
|
Pearrygin Lake, west boat launch |
Oct. 6
6:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Mount Spokane 50K/25K: Transverse the trails of Mount Spokane State Park during the 50K and 25K up Mount Kit Carson, Day Mountain and Mount Spokane. Challenge yourself, then celebrate at the post-race party with refreshments. Registration and fee required for participation. Event t-shirts available for purchase. Presented by Rainshadow Running. For course details or to register, visit www.mtspokane50k.blogspot.com/p/info.html.
|
Mount Spokane
(509) 238-4258 |
| November 2013 |
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| Nov. 9 - 11 |
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free Sept. 28. The Discover Pass is not required to visit state parks on free days. The State Parks free days for 2013 are:
Sept. 28: National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 - 11: Veteran’s Day weekend
Please note: A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife during State Parks free days. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
|
Statewide |