Millersylvania: All Content
Park overview:
Millersylvania State Park is an 842-acre camping park with 3,300 feet of freshwater shoreline on Deep Lake. The park, filled with trails, is abundant in old-growth cedar and fir trees. Millersylvania was constructed almost entirely by hand in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps.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: 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.
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 camp provides 120 tent spaces, 48 utility spaces, three restrooms (one ADA), eight showers (two ADA) and one dump station.Maximum site length is 60 feet (may have limited availability). Standard campsites have a restricted total vehicle length of 35 feet. This is due to the park's tight, narrow roadways in the standard campsite section. There is a maximum of one extra paid vehicle allowed per site (extra vehicle fee paid upon arrival).
To make a summer reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. In the winter (Sept. 16 to May 14), some campsites are available first come, first served with limited facilities.
Group Accommodations:
The group camp accommodates 20 to 40 people and is for tent camping only. Kitchen shelter #4 is in the group and has a wood stove, sink and electrical outlets. The group camp and kitchen shelter #4 rent together for fees that vary with the size of the group. A standard restroom is nearby. 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 ten miles south of Olympia, Wash., on the state's western side in Thurston County.Park address:
12245 Tilley Road S.
Olympia, WA 98512
From I-5:
Take exit #95. Drive east, and follow signs to park (about three miles northeast of the freeway).
Park Maps
To view campsites and facilities reservable at this park, visit the reservation system and campsite maps.
Millersylvania downloadable pdf map #1
Millersylvania downloadable pdf map #2List of all downloadable Washington State Park PDF maps.
Park Features
This historic park is nestled in broad stands of old-growth cedar and fir trees. Deep Lake, located on the property, attracts boaters, swimmers and fishermen. The state capital is a few miles north of the park.
History
The park was originally called "Miller's Glade" by the Miller family, who once owned the property. The family later changed the name to "Millersylvania," meaning "wooded glade." The park's 842 acres were homesteaded by Squire Lathum in 1855 before being sold to John Miller. Miller's family gave the property to the state in 1921, stipulating that the land must forever be used as a park.Millersylvania's buildings were constructed in 1935 almost entirely by hand by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Relics of a narrow-gauge railroad, and several skid roads used in the 1800s by the logging industry, remain on park grounds. Stumps of trees still carry notch scars where springboards supported brawny loggers.
Interpretive opportunities
An interpretive display at the flagpole tells the story of the park's construction by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935. A stone memorial in honor of the Miller family is located near the first bathhouse.Services/Supplies
| Available in the park | Available in the area |
| • Boat rentals • Camping • Pay phone • Fire wood | • Auto repair • Airport • Boat rental • Camping • Diesel • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Gifts • Groceries • Hardware • Hospital • Marine supplies • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Postal service • Propane • Recreational equipment • White gas • Wood • Swimming |
Canoes, paddle boats and kayaks are available for rent at the beach. For boat-rental, firewood and snackbar hours of service, check with the ranger contact station.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • 8.6 mi. Hiking Trails • 7.6 mi. Bike Trails | • Boating (freshwater) • 1 boat ramp (freshwater) • 100 feet of dock (freshwater) • Fishing (freshwater) • Swimming (freshwater) | • 1 Amphitheater • Bird Watching • 3 Fire Circles • 3 Horseshoe pits • Interpretive Activities • Mountain Biking • Wildlife Viewing |
For use of the horseshoe pits, please bring your own horseshoes. There is a fishing dock at the boat-launch area. Fishing is seasonal. 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. The park has a one-mile exercise trail. | ||
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
9 a.m. |
First Day Hikes, Millersylvania: 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 Millersylvania State Park is an easy five mile hike along the Fitness and Nature trail, beginning at picnic shelter 1. The hike is open to participants of all ages. Participants are suggested to take along sturdy footwear and binoculars. Please leave pets at home. For more information, call (360) 753-1519. 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. |
Millersylvania, picnic shelter 1 (360) 753-1519 |
Boating Features
The park provides one boat ramp and 100 feet of dock. This is a hand-type boat launch, for small craft only. Deep Lake has a speed limit of 5 mph.Picnic and Day-use Facilities
The park provides four kitchen shelters with electricity, plus 125 unsheltered and 30 sheltered picnic tables.Kitchen shelter #1, #2 and #3 each accommodates up to 50 people. Each shelter has a wood stove, grill, sink and 15 amp electrical outlets. Kitchen #1 also has a fireplace. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. Kitchen shelter # 4 is located in the group camp area and is reservable with the group camp. See "Group Accommodations" for information about kitchen shelter #4.
Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
| • Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Marten • Muskrats • Otters • Rabbits • Raccoons • Skunks • Squirrels • Weasels | • Crows or Ravens • Doves or Pigeons • Ducks • Eagles • Geese • Grouse • Gulls • Hawks • Herons • Hummingbirds • Jays • Ospreys • Owls • Woodpeckers • Wrens | • Bass • Bluegill • Bullhead • Catfish • Perch • Trout |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | ||
| • Cedar • Douglas Fir • Hemlock • Spruce • Alder • Apple • Ash • Maple • Foxglove • Lupines • Rhododendron • Berries • Ferns • Moss or Lichens |
Park photo gallery
