Enjoy a festival, join a fun run, tour an interpretive site – or just make your
own celebration with a family picnic or camping trip. Choose from dozens of activities
and events throughout the year.
The Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks and
state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit the Discover Pass
website.
| 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 |
March - Sept.
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Painting in the Parks: Celebrate the centennial of Washington State Parks by painting in the parks. Take a journey through a state park and find artistic inspiration. Then spend the day creating a work in Washington’s great outdoors. Artists may check-in with an event facilitator when they arrive. Painting days are scheduled as follows:
March 22 – Fort Casey State Park
March 23 – Ebey’s Landing State Park
April 12 – Saltwater State Park
April 13 – Dash Point State Park
May 2 - 5 – Columbia Gorge area state parks (Maryhill, Columbia Hills and Beacon Rock)
June 1 – Deception Pass State Park
June 2 – Bay View State Park
June 14 - 15 – Dosewallips State Park
June 28 - 30 – Port Townsend area state parks (Fort Flagler, Fort Worden and Sequim Bay)
July 12 - 13 – Bellingham area state parks (Larrabee and Birch Bay)
July 27 – Friends of Moran Centennial Celebration on Orcas Island (Moran)
Aug. 8 - 11 – Cape Disappointment State Park
Sept. 6 - 7 – Rasar State Park
Sept. 20 - 21 – Olmstead Place State Park
Presented by the Plein Air Washington Artists. More information about individual painting days is available at www.pleinairwashington.com.
|
Statewide |
| May 2013 |
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
May 2 - 5
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Painting in the Parks – Maryhill: Celebrate the centennial of Washington State Parks by painting in the parks. Take a journey through a state park and find artistic inspiration. Then spend the day creating a work in Washington’s great outdoors. From May 2 through 5, participants are welcome to paint at Maryhill, Columbia Hills and Beacon Rock state parks. Balsamroot and lupine line the gorge’s rocky hillsides in May. Artists may check-in with an event facilitator when they arrive. A full schedule of Painting in the Parks days is available at www.pleinairwashington.com. Presented by the Plein Air Washington Artists.
|
Maryhill
(509) 773-5507 |
| May 4 and 5 |
Civil War Reenactment: History comes to life at Fort Simcoe State Park. See reenactments of American Civil War battles, including civilians, infantry, cavalry and cannons, surrounded by the park’s historic military buildings. The event opens Saturday morning with a 9 a.m. flag rising. Cake is provided at noon on Sunday. Activities are scheduled as follows:
May 4 – Flag rising at 9 a.m., battles at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
May 5 – Battles at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., cake served at noon
Presented by the Washington Civil War Association. To participate in the battle reenactment or for additional event information, call (509) 969-0125 or visit www.wcwa.net.
|
Fort Simcoe
(509) 874-2372 |
| 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 7 - 9 |
Sacajawea Bluegrass Festival and Dutch Oven Rendevous: Listen to Washington's best bluegrass musicians and taste new Dutch oven recipes at the annual Sacajawea Bluegrass Festival and Dutch Oven Rendveous. The festival runs all weekend from June 7 to 9, with full concert lineups and Dutch oven cooking details available at www.mctama.org/sacajawea-bluegrass-festival. Fee required for participation. Overnight camping options are available during the event only. Presented by the Mid-Columbia Traditional Arts & Music Association.
Please note: June 8 and 9 are State Parks free days in honor of National Get Outdoors Day. A Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to state parks on free days.
|
Sacajawea
(509) 545-2361 |
| June 8 |
100 Geocaches in 100 Parks to Celebrate 100 Years!: To celebrate the 100th year of Washington State Parks, 100 geocaches will be available in state parks across Washington. This geotour kickoff event starts the hunt for a Centennial cache hidden within Sacajawea State Park. Join the real life outdoor treasure hunt and the State Parks Centennial 2013 celebration. To find geocaches in Washington state parks, visit www.geocaching.com (registration required for participation).
Please note: June 8 is a State Parks free day. A Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to Washington state parks on free days.
|
Sacajawea
(509) 545-2361 |
| 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
6 - 8 p.m. |
Latino Music at the Park: Free concert performance at Sacajawea State Park. More information will be available closer to the event. Presented by the Folk & Traditional Arts in the Parks Program.
Please note: Aug. 4 is a State Parks free day. A Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to state parks on free days.
|
Sacajawea
(509) 545-2361 |
Aug. 4
Noon - 3 p.m. |
Pioneer Picnic: Picnic with the Daughters of the Pioneers, Chapter 3. This event is free and everyone is welcome. For more information, call the park office at (509) 545-2361.
Please note: Aug. 4 is a State Parks free day. A Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to state parks on free days.
|
Sacajawea
(509) 545-2361 |
| 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 |
Aug. 22 - 25
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Painting in the Parks – Palouse Area: Celebrate the centennial of Washington State Parks by painting in the parks. Take a journey through a state park and find artistic inspiration. Then spend the day creating a work in Washington’s great outdoors. From Aug. 22 through 25, participants are welcome to paint at Steptoe Butte and Palouse Falls state parks. A full schedule of Painting in the Parks days is available at www.pleinairwashington.com. Presented by the Plein Air Washington Artists.
|
Palouse Falls
(509) 646-9218 |
Aug. 22 - 25
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Painting in the Parks – Palouse Area: Celebrate the centennial of Washington State Parks by painting in the parks. Take a journey through a state park and find artistic inspiration. Then spend the day creating a work in Washington’s great outdoors. From Aug. 22 through 25, participants are welcome to paint at Steptoe Butte and Palouse Falls state parks. A full schedule of Painting in the Parks days is available at www.pleinairwashington.com. Presented by the Plein Air Washington Artists.
|
Steptoe Butte
(509) 646-9218 |
| September 2013 |
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
Sept. 20 and 21
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Painting in the Parks – Olmstead Place: Celebrate the centennial of Washington State Parks by painting in the parks. Take a journey through a state park and find artistic inspiration. Then spend the day creating a work in Washington’s great outdoors. On Sept. 20 and 21, participants are welcome to paint at Olmstead Place State Park, a working pioneer farm in the heart of Kittitas Valley. A full schedule of Painting in the Parks days is available at www.pleinairwashington.com. Presented by the Plein Air Washington Artists.
|
Olmstead Place
(509) 925-1943 |
Sept. 27 and 28
Saturday camp visitation: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday campfire program: 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. |
Sacajawea Heritage Day: See reenactments of early American explorer and Native American cultural history during this two-day festival. Friday is dedicated to school group field trips and Saturday is open to everyone interested in experiencing the past. The event features Lewis & Clark reenctors, members of the Umatilla and Yakima Nations, and the Wanapums, mountain man encampments, local museum displays and more. Saturday night activities include a campfire program. Visitors may gather around a bonfire for music, singing, storytelling and a great time. Presented by the Mid-Columbia Traditional Arts & Music Association. For more information, visit www.mctama.org/sacajawea-heritage-days.
Please note: Sept. 28 is a State Parks free day in honor of National Public Lands Day. A Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to state parks on free days.
|
Sacajawea
(509) 545-2361 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
