Kanaskat-Palmer: All Content
Park overview:
Kanaskat-Palmer State Park is a 320-acre camping park on a small, low plateau in a natural forest setting. The park has two miles of shorelines on the Green River. Boat and raft launching is by hand only. River rafting and kayaking down the Green River Gorge is for expert-level enthusiasts only. Shoreline activities include nature appreciation, trout fishing and picnicking.Want to support Washington State Parks? Get involved by joining a friends' group. For more information, visit the Friends' Group web page.
Park hours/updates:
Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.
The park is open year round for camping and day use.
Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Current alerts:
Agency information:
Don't move firewood: Please protect the Pacific Northwest from invasive species by obtaining or purchasing your firewood at or near your camping destination (within 50 miles). Firewood can carry insects and diseases that threaten the health of our western forests. You can make a difference by buying and burning your firewood locally. For more information, visit online at www.dontmovefirewood.org or the Washington Invasive Species Council website.
The Discover Pass now can be used on either of two vehicles!Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for motor-vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.
Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, the Discover Pass is not required if you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, for the duration of your stay at that state park. For additional exemptions and more information, please visit the Discover Pass website.
Campsite Information:
The park has 25 tent spaces, 19 electrical spaces, six yurts, one dump station, two restrooms (ADA) and six showers (four ADA). Maximum site length is 50 feet (may have limited availability). In the winter, camping is first come, first served. For summer camping reservations, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.Group Accommodations:
The park has a group camp that accommodates up to 80 people. Parking is limited. The camp includes restroom, showers, two adirondack (three-sided) sleeping shelters, eight standard tent sites and a picnic shelter. No motorhomes, trailers or tent-trailers allowed in the group camp. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.Overnight Accommodations
The six yurts at Kanaskat-Palmer are 16 feet in diameter by 10 feet high and are furnished with bunk beds that sleep three, a queen-size futon, overhead light and small end table. Outside is a picnic table, fire grill, utility hookup and a deck that is accessible to people with disabilities. Bathrooms and showers are nearby. For more information visit the cabins/yurts page To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.2013 camping fees:
Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).May 15 – Sept. 15 (peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $23 non-premium site, $26 premium site
Partial-utility campsite*: $30 non-premium site, $35 premium site
Full-utility campsite*: $32 non-premium site, $37 premium site
*Please note: Camping fees during the 2013 peak season are $28 for partial-utility sites and $29 for full-utility sites at Beacon Rock, Lewis & Clark and Schafer state parks. These parks are first come, first served.
Jan. 1 – May 14 and Sept. 16 – Dec. 31 (off-peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $22 for non-premium and premium sites
Partial-utility campsite: $28 for non-premium and premium sites
Full-utility campsite: $29 for non-premium and premium sites
Maximum eight people per campsite.
Second vehicle: $10 per night is charged for a second vehicle unless it is towed by a recreational vehicle. Extra vehicles must be parked in designated campsite or extra vehicle parking spaces.
Dump stations (if available): Year-round dump station fees are $5 per use. If you are camping, this fee is included in your campsite fee.
More about park hours
Check-in time is 2:30 p.m., and check-out time is 1 p.m.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Engine-driven electric generators may be operated only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Length of stay: You may stay up to ten consecutive days in any one park from April 1 through Sept. 30; the stay limit is extended to 20 days between Oct. 1 and March 31.
Driving Directions
Located 9 miles northeast of Enumclaw, Wash. in King County.Park address:
32101 Kanaskat-Cumberland Road
Ravensdale, WA 98051
From Hwy. 169:
Drive east at the intersection of HWY 169 and WA 516. Signs begin just after the turn. Follow signs eight miles to the park.
From Hwy. 410:
Turn north at Farman Rd. Follow signs nine miles to park on the left.
Park Maps
To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the reservation system and campsite maps.
Kanaskat-Palmer downloadable pdf map #1List of all downloadable Washington State Park PDF maps.
Park Features
Whitewater rafting and kayaking are possible in this park but pose a level of high-difficulty. Fishing and picnicking appeal to visitors with more moderate tastes.
History
The area around Kanaskat-Palmer and the Green River Gorge is abundant with mining history. The area is still mined for coal, as it has been for many years. Nearby Flaming Geyser gets its methane flame from a coal seam. Also mined locally was cinnabar, the base ore for mercury.Interpretive opportunities
There are currently no interpretive opportunities at this park.Services/Supplies
| Available in the park | Available in the area |
| • Park store • Fire wood | • Auto repair • Camping • Diesel • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Gifts • Golf • Groceries • Hardware • Hospital • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Postal service • Propane • Recreational equipment • White gas • Wood • Swimming |
Gifts are available for purchase at the park welcome station.
Enumclaw is nine miles away. Two miles from the park is a convenience store and deli. Four Corners shopping center is eight miles away.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • 3 mi. Hiking Trails • 3 mi. Bike Trails | • Fishing (freshwater) • Swimming (freshwater) • White-water Kayaking | • Beach Exploration • Bird Watching • 4 Fire Circles • 2 Horseshoe pits • Wildlife Viewing |
Rafting/kayaking on the Green River is for experts only. A recreational license is required for fishing and shellfish harvesting at Washington state parks. For regulations, fishing season information or to purchase a recreational license, visit the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website. | ||
Events
The 2013 State Parks free days are as follows:
Jan. 21 – In honor of Martin Luther King Day
March 30 – In honor of Washington State Parks' 100th birthday on March 19
April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
June 1 – National Trails Day
June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day and Department of Fish and Wildlife Free Fishing weekend
Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
Nov. 9 through 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, please visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
| Events | ||
| Date/time | Event description | State Park |
| 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 Kanaskat-Palmer 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. |
Kanaskat-Palmer State Park (360) 886-0148 |
Boating Features
Whitewater rafting is available. There is no boat-launch fee for this activity.Picnic and Day-use Facilities
The park offers one large reservable kitchen shelter with water, electricity and two standing barbecues. Three picnic shelters and 49 unsheltered picnic tables are available first come, first served. Picnic shelter reservations may be made by visiting online or calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
| • Bears • Bobcats • Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Foxes • Minks • Otters • Rabbits • Raccoons • Skunks • Squirrels • Weasels | • Crows or Ravens • Doves or Pigeons • Ducks • Eagles • Geese • Grouse • Hawks • Herons • Hummingbirds • Jays • Ospreys • Owls • Pheasants • Quail • Woodpeckers • Wrens | • Steelhead • Trout |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | ||
| • Cedar • Douglas Fir • Hemlock • Nobel Fir • Spruce • Yew • Alder • Birch • Maple • Daisy • Foxglove • Lupines • Berries • Ferns • Moss or Lichens • Thistle |
