Lake Sylvia: All Content
Park overview:
Lake Sylvia State Park is a quiet, 233-acre camping park with 15,000 feet of freshwater shoreline. The park is an old logging camp in a wooded area halfway between Olympia and the Pacific shore. Aside from the interesting displays of old logging gear and curiosities, the lake is good for fishing, and the rustic charm of the park makes for excellent day outings and group camping trips.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.
The group camp is reservable April 1 through Sept. 30.
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
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 four utility spaces (water/electricity), 31 tent spaces, one dump station, three restrooms (one ADA) and six showers (four ADA). In addition, there are two primitive tent sites for hikers and bicyclers. Most sites will accommodate either a tent or an RV. Maximum site length is 30 feet (may have limited availability). Individual campsites are reservable from April 1 - Sept. 30 by visiting online or calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.Group Accommodations:
There is one group camp available (tents only) for groups of up to 60 people. The group camp is reservable April 1 to Sept. 30. 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, Brooks Memorial, Columbia Hills, Conconully, 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 one mile north of Montesano, Wash. in Grays Harbor County.Park address:
1813 Lake Sylvia Road
Montesano, WA 98563
From Olympia:
Drive west on Hwy. 101 to SR 8, and west on SR 8 to SR 12. Follow signs to Montesano. Lake Sylvia is a mile north of the SR 12/Lake Sylvia exit.
Park Maps
To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the reservation system and campsite maps.
Lake Sylvia downloadable pdf map #1List of all downloadable Washington State Park PDF maps.
Park Features
The park features a giant ball carved of wood by a local logging legend. Lake and forest offer rest and rejuvenation for park visitors.
History
Michael F. Luark homesteaded at what is now Lake Sylvia State Park in 1868. The family built a water-powered sawmill, the first in Grays Harbor County. In 1909, a dam was constructed at the end of Lake Sylvia to provide hydro-electric power and water to the city of Montesano. The Wilder family lived in the generator room for many years and Silas Wilder’s wife was the only woman known to operate a power plant in the United States during the 1920s. The powerhouse was dismantled in the early 1930s.The area around Lake Sylvia State Park is rich with logging lore and history. Huge, old-growth stumps are everywhere in the park. There is a giant wooden ball carved from a single log by a local logging legend. Story has it the logger could stand atop the floating ball and "walk it" from one end of the lake to the other. Logging ceased in the 1930s and the City of Montesano donated the land around Lake Sylvia to the State Parks Commission for conservation in 1936. Additional lands were added by a trade in 1985.
Interpretive opportunities
There are currently no interpretive opportunities at this park.Services/Supplies
| Available in the park | Available in the area |
| • Boat rentals • Camping • Pay phone | • Auto repair • Camping • Diesel • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Gifts • Golf • Groceries • Hardware • Hospital • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Postal service • Propane • Recreational equipment • Wood • Swimming |
Most services are available nearby.
Two sit-on-top double kayaks are available for rent from May to Sept. Rental fees are $10 per hour or $25 for three hours.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • 0.5 mi. ADA Hiking Trails • 5 mi. Hiking Trails | • Boating (freshwater, non-motorized) • 1 boat ramp (freshwater) • Fishing (freshwater) • Swimming (freshwater) | • Bird Watching • Mountain Biking |
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 |
| Jan. 1
1 p.m. |
First Day Hikes, Lake Sylvia: Ring in 2013 by connecting with nature at a First Day Hike in one of many Washington state parks on New Year’s Day. Discover the natural beauty of Washington as part of a national effort to share stewardship for natural, cultural and recreational resources. The First Day Hikes kick-off a year-long celebration of State Parks’ centennial year. The hike at Lake Sylvia State Park is a moderate two and a half mile hike along the Sylvia Creek Discovery trail, beginning at the beach shelter. The hike is open to participants 9 years of age and older. The Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia State Parks are providing cookies and hot chocolate for participants in the beach shelter. Warm up with refreshments and a cozy fire after the hike. Participants are suggested to take along good hiking shoes, bottled water and weather appropriate clothing. Please leave pets at home. For more information, call (360) 249-3621. 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. |
Lake Sylvia, beach shelter (360) 249-3621 |
Boating Features
There is one boat ramp. Electric but not gasoline-powered boat motors are allowed.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.
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
The park provides one kitchen shelter without electricity, one sheltered picnic table and 75 unsheltered picnic tables. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
| • Bears • Bobcats • Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Otters • Rabbits • Raccoons • Squirrels • Weasels | • Ducks • Eagles • Grouse • Hawks • Herons • Ospreys • Owls • Woodpeckers • Wrens | • Bass • Trout |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | ||
| • Cedar • Douglas Fir • Hemlock • Spruce • Alder • Maple • Daisy • Foxglove • Rhododendron • Berries • Ferns • Moss or Lichens |
Park photo gallery
