Events at NE Washington State Parks
| 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 |
| 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 |
| May 2013 | ||
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| May 25 and 26 | 24-Hours Round the Clock: Join the solo or team mountain bike race at Riverside State Park. The course consists of 14.7-mile laps, over double track and single track trails. Registration and fee are required for participation. Registration is open to the first 900 participants who sign up. Presented by Round and Round Production. For more information, visit www.roundandround.com/race.php. |
Riverside (509) 465-5064 |
| 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 1 9 a.m. - noon |
National Trails Day Clean-up - Riverside: Lend a hand to make a difference – help cut a new trail to reroute Riverside State Park’s Valley Trail. In the spirit of National Trails Day, sink a shovel into fresh dirt and enjoy the beauty of the Little Spokane River Natural Area. Presented by REI and State Parks. RSVP not required. National Trails Day is sponsored by the American Hiking Society. RSVP not required. For more information, visit www.americanhiking.org/events. Please note: June 1 is a State Parks free day in honor of National Trails Day. A Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to state parks on free days. |
Riverside, Little Spokane River Natural Area (509) 465-5064 |
| June 8 | Centennial 2013 Signature Event - Riverside: Officially commemorate the State Parks Centennial 2013 with family fun at Riverside State Park in Spokane. The all day festival is one of two signature celebrations marking the 100 years of State Parks and the beginning of a second century of memories. Event activities include river rafting demonstrations, recreation vendors, live music and more. Food will be available for purchase from area vendors. A second signature event for Western Washington is Aug. 3 at Deception Pass State Park. The Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access. Representatives of the Spokane Tribe will welcome participants to a speaker ceremony on the central stage, featuring local and state officials and Commission representatives. The ceremony begins at noon. Music performances by bluegrass band Big Red Barn, the Celtic Knows and a traditional swing band called 6 Foot Swing will follow from 2:15 to 6 p.m. Presented in partnership with the Riverside State Park Foundation and the State Parks Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program. 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. - Detailed News Release - |
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 |
| June 8 10 a.m. - noon |
Bike Safety Rodeo: Kids ages 5 to 12 are invited to the annual bike rodeo at Pearrygin Lake State Park. It's a great way to get outdoors and learn biking safety tips for family outdoor adventure. Kids may test their maneuvering skills, try out techniques for more effective riding and learn about riding in traffic. Free helmet fittings and bike inspections are available. Presented in partnership with the Aero Methow Rescue Service and supported by Methow Cycle and Sport, Winthrop Kiwanis and Okanogan Fire District #6. |
Pearrygin Lake (509) 996-2370 |
| June 9 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. |
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 begins in shelter B at Lincoln Rock State Park, starting the hunt for a Centennial cache hidden within the park. New geocachers are welcome to a presentation about the sport of geocaching. 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). For more information about this event, call (509) 293-6070. |
Lincoln Rock, shelter B (509) 884-8702 |
| July 2013 | ||
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| July 13 | Dirty Dash - Riverside: Dare to get dirty on this one-of-a-kind race through Riverside State Park. The slide, climb and dive into muddy obstacles on a 3.5-mile course of fun. Kids ages 2 to 12 years may participate in the piglet pluge, a one-mile obstacle course. Registration and fee required for participation. Packet pick times are 2 tp 7 p.m. July 11 and 11 a.m .to 7 p.m. July 12. For more information or to register, visit www.thedirtydash.com. |
Riverside (509) 465-5064 |
| August 2013 | ||
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| Aug. 3 - 10 | Ride Around Washington: The Cascade Bicycle Club is celebrating the 15th Ride Around Washington with a return to a favorite route. The route begins near the Canadian border at Curlew Lake State Park, continues down the middle of Washington and ends at Maryhill State Park in the Columbia River Gorge. This route is a favorite because of the diverse terrain, vegetation and climate, excellent roads, and the striking beauty of the scenery. Registration and fee required for participation. The event is open to the first 250 who register. Presented by the Cascade Bicycle Club. For more information, visit https://shop.cascade.org/content/events/ride-around-washington. |
Curlew Lake (509) 775-3592 |
| 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. 8 | SpokeFest: Starting in downtown Spokane and finishing at SpokeFair in Riverfront Park, join fellow cyclists on a ride along some of the region’s most memorable roads. The Classic River Loop course transverse through Riverside State Park along the Spokane River. It’s a 21-mile route, finishing atop of the Spokane Falls. Other course options are available. Registration and fee required for participation. For more information or to register, visit www.spokefest.org. |
Riverside (509) 465-5064 |
| Sept. 14 | Cultural Celebration: Celebrate the diverse cultures of Washington at the annual cultural celebration at Pearrygin Lake State Park. More information will be available closer to the event. A Folk & Traditional Arts in the Parks Program event. |
Pearrygin Lake (509) 996-2370 |
| 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 |
