Lake Easton: All Content
Park overview:
Lake Easton State Park is a forested, 516-acre year-round camping park with 24,000 feet of freshwater access on the shores of Lake Easton in the Cascade Mountain foothills. The park has beautiful mountain views and hiking trails to explore in the summer and cross country and snowmobiling trails to enjoy in the winter. The park's location also allows for snowy winter-sport opportunities.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: 6:30 a.m. to dusk
Winter: Campground closed Oct. 31 to May 1, winter camping available in day-use area. Day-use recreation allowed from 8 a.m. to dusk during winter.
Sno-Park permit required from Nov. 15 through April 30 for day use and winter camping.
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 90 tent spaces, 45 full hook-up sites, two hiker/biker sites, one dump station, four restrooms (three ADA) and four showers (two ADA). All sites are in a wooded setting. Most tent sites are near the Yakima River, and most RV spaces are near Lake Easton. The park can accommodate RV units up to 60 feet in select sites. Some sites will accommodate tip-outs. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.Please note: Tents must be placed within the designated tent pad.
Group Accommodations:
The park offers a "walk in/ tent only" group camp that accommodates up to 50 people. Fire pit, benches, water, restrooms and parking are available. Fees vary with size of the group. 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 15 miles west of Cle Elum, Wash., and 15 miles east of Snoqualmie Pass, Wash. in Kittitas County.Park address:
150 Lake Easton State Park Road
Easton, WA 98925
From I-90:
Take exit #70, and follow signs to the park.
Park Maps
To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the reservation system and campsite maps.
Lake Easton downloadable pdf map #1List of all downloadable Washington State Park PDF maps.
Park Features
Year-round recreational opportunities abound in this beautiful park, which offers a swimmable beach and a boat launch.
History
The park is located within a glacial valley in the Washington Cascade Range. The Northern Pacific Railroad built a tunnel through the Cascades beginning at Easton.Interpretive opportunities
South Cle Elum Historic Railyard: The railyard features the South Cle Elum Depot Museum. The museum is open 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sundays. Winter hours are by appointment only. The restaurant (currently not open), interpretive trail, museum and an electric substation are adjacent to the John Wayne Pioneer Trail.Junior Ranger programs: The park offers summer programs for kids, 1 p.m. Saturdays, in the park amphitheater. Program details may be found on the park bulletin board.
Services/Supplies
| Available in the park | Available in the area |
| • Camping | • Camping • Diesel • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Gifts • Groceries • Hardware • Hospital • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Postal service • Propane • Recreational equipment • White gas • Wood |
Firewood is available for purchase from a vendor at the park.
Bags of crushed ice are available for purchase at the contact station.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • 6.5 mi. Hiking Trails • 6 mi. Bike Trails | • Boating (freshwater) • Boating (freshwater, non-motorized) • 1 boat ramp (freshwater) • 20 feet of dock (freshwater) • Fishing (freshwater) • Swimming (freshwater) | • 1 Amphitheater • 1 Basketball Court • Bird Watching • 2 Horseshoe pits • Interpretive Activities • Mountain Biking • Wildlife Viewing |
A basketball hoop is available in the standard camp area. There is a playground equipment for kids in the park. Lifeguards are not provided at the swimming beach. The park allows for varied winter activities. There are five miles of groomed cross-country ski trails in the park December through March, and seven other Sno-Park areas within a 15-minute drive. There is a snowmobile trail through the park with access to Easton and the groomed trail system in the Kachess and Stampede Pass areas. 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 |
| Aug. 3 - 5 | Courage Classice Bicycle Tour - Lake Easton: Tour I-90 by bicycle from Snoqualmie Ridge to Skykomish during the three-day Courage Classic. Participants will pass through Olallie and Lake Easton state parks on day 1. A shuttle is available to take riders back to Snoqualmie Ridge after the event. Registration and fee required for participation. Presented by Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Center. For course details and to register, visit www.courageclassic.org. |
Lake Easton (509) 656-2586 |
Boating Features
Watercraft launch reopens in April. Opening day is dependent on snowfall levels.The park offers one boat ramp and 20 feet of dock. Though motorized boating is allowed, Lake Easton is a shallow reservoir with stumps near the water's surface. High-speed activities are not recommended. Boat motors are limited to 10 horse power.
A daily watercraft launching permit for $7 and a trailer dumping permit for $5 is available at the park.
Annual permits also may be purchased at State Parks Headquarters in Olympia, at region offices, online, and at parks when staff is available.
Lifeguards are not provided at the swimming beach.
Winter Recreation
• Cross-country Skiing• Dog Sledding
• Snowmobiling
• Snow Play
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
The park provides 40 picnic tables without shelter, available first come, first served. The day-use area is in a wooded setting with grills, fire pits, a play structure and an amphitheater.Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
| • Bobcats • Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Rabbits • Raccoons • Squirrels | • Crows or Ravens • Ducks • Eagles • Geese • Hawks • Herons • Hummingbirds • Jays • Ospreys • Owls • Woodpeckers | • Trout |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | ||
| Lake Easton State Park is on the Yakima River and Lake Easton, with old-growth forest, dense vegetation and freshwater marshlands. | • Cedar • Douglas Fir • Hemlock • Daisy • Foxglove • Lupines • Orchids • Paintbrush • Berries • Moss or Lichens |
Park photo gallery
