Events at southeast Washington State Parks

Collage of fiddler, folk dancers, traditional native American dancer, Latino dancer and Asian puppet dancer

Washington State Parks is kicking off its 100th birthday celebration with events across Washington state. All events are free unless otherwise noted.

The Discover Pass ($30 annual or $10 daily) is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks and state-managed recreation lands. Although most park events are free, the Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks, unless otherwise noted. For more information, please visit the Discover Pass website.

Interpretive events

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.

Interpretive Schedule.xls (62kb Excel file)

Community and ongoing events

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.

Filter calendar by region: Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast, All

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
January 2013
Date/time	Event description	State Park
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
March 2013
Date/time	Event description	State Park
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 - 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
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