Sacajawea: Overview
Park overview:
Sacajawea State Park is a 284-acre inland waters, day-use park at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia rivers. It features 9,100 feet of freshwater shoreline. The area is spread out with a big sky and excellent views of the two rivers as they flow together.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: Closed Nov. 1, reopens March 31.
The park is open to day use only.
Current alerts:
The restroom with the only shower facility is closed. No showers are available at Sacajawea.
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:
Sacajawea is a day-use park, but does have one Northwest Discovery Water Trail campsite. The water trail campsite is available on a first-come, first-served basis, accommodates eight people and may only be used by those arriving by boat when traveling down the river (support vehicles are permitted). Groups larger than eight people may contact the park at (509) 545-2361 for more information. Overnight moorage is allowed year round, but no restroom facilities are available October through March.Park Features
The Sacajawea Interpretive Center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It closes for the season Nov. 1. The center features interactive displays that tell the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition through the experiences of Sacagawea, the young Shoshone Indian woman who accompanied the expedition. The new exhibits relate what is known about her life before, during and after the Expedition. A river beach and children's playground equipment are additional park features.
History
The property was deeded to Washington State Parks in 1931. The park is named for Sacajawea, a Shoshone Indian woman who traveled with the Lewis and Clark expedition. The park is located on one of the expedition's campsites, used by Lewis and Clark from October 16 to 18, 1805.The railroad built the town of Ainsworth in 1879. By 1884, the town was no longer used, and the buildings were moved or destroyed as local construction of the railroad was completed and the crew moved on.
Interpretive opportunities
The park has many outdoor self-guided interpretive displays, as well as framework representations of Native American dwellings. Along with the on site Interpretive Center, the park provides guided tours by a park interpretive specialist. Call the park for times and dates (509) 545-2361.Services/Supplies
| Available in the area | |
| • Auto repair • Airport • Boat rental • Camping • Diesel • Fishing/hunting • Gasoline • Gifts • Golf • Groceries • Hardware • Hospital • Marine supplies • Overnight Accommodations • Pay phone • Postal service • Propane • Recreational equipment • White gas • Wood • Swimming |
Other services are available within a few miles of the park.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • 0.5 mi. ADA Hiking Trails • 1.2 mi. Hiking Trails | • Boating (freshwater) • 2 boat ramps (freshwater) • 200 feet of dock (freshwater) • 70 feet of moorage (freshwater) • Fishing (freshwater) • Personal Watercraft (freshwater) • Swimming (freshwater) • Water Skiing (freshwater) | • Bird Watching • 2 Horseshoe pits • Interpretive Activities • 1 Volleyball Field • Wildlife Viewing |
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
Free days at state parks: Visit Washington state parks for free. The Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park on ten designated free days in 2013.
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.
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 7 - 9 | Sacajawea Bluegrass Festival and Dutch Oven Rendevous: Listen to Washington's best bluegrass musicians and taste new Dutch oven recipes at the annual Sacajawea Bluegrass Festival and Dutch Oven Rendveous. The festival runs all weekend from June 7 to 9, with full concert lineups and Dutch oven cooking details available at www.mctama.org/sacajawea-bluegrass-festival. Fee required for participation. Overnight camping options are available during the event only. Presented by the Mid-Columbia Traditional Arts & Music Association. Please note: June 8 and 9 are State Parks free days in honor of National Get Outdoors Day. A Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to state parks on free days. |
Sacajawea (509) 545-2361 |
| 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 Sacajawea 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. |
Sacajawea (509) 545-2361 |
| Aug. 4 6 - 8 p.m. |
Latino Music at the Park: Free concert performance at Sacajawea State Park. More information will be available closer to the event. Presented by the Folk & Traditional Arts in the Parks Program. Please note: Aug. 4 is a State Parks free day. A Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to state parks on free days. |
Sacajawea (509) 545-2361 |
| Aug. 4 Noon - 3 p.m. |
Pioneer Picnic: Picnic with the Daughters of the Pioneers, Chapter 3. This event is free and everyone is welcome. For more information, call the park office at (509) 545-2361.
Please note: Aug. 4 is a State Parks free day. A Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to state parks on free days. |
Sacajawea (509) 545-2361 |
| Sept. 27 and 28 Saturday camp visitation: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday campfire program: 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. |
Sacajawea Heritage Day: See reenactments of early American explorer and Native American cultural history during this two-day festival. Friday is dedicated to school group field trips and Saturday is open to everyone interested in experiencing the past. The event features Lewis & Clark reenctors, members of the Umatilla and Yakima Nations, and the Wanapums, mountain man encampments, local museum displays and more. Saturday night activities include a campfire program. Visitors may gather around a bonfire for music, singing, storytelling and a great time. Presented by the Mid-Columbia Traditional Arts & Music Association. For more information, visit www.mctama.org/sacajawea-heritage-days. Please note: Sept. 28 is a State Parks free day in honor of National Public Lands Day. A Discover Pass is not required for vehicle access to state parks on free days. |
Sacajawea (509) 545-2361 |
Boating Features
The park has two boat ramps and 200 feet of dock. The boat launch is in a small, protected lagoon.A daily watercraft launching permit is at a special reduced rate of $5 and a trailer dumping permit for $5 may be purchased 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.
The park provides 70 feet of moorage.
There also is one Northwest Discovery Water Trail campsite at the park. It is available on a first-come, first-served basis, accommodates eight people and is designed for paddlers traveling down the river. Groups larger than eight people may contact the park at (509) 545-2361 for more information.
Moorage fees are charged year round for mooring at docks, floats and buoys from 1 p.m. to 8 a.m. Daily and annual permits are available. For more information, call (360) 902-8844.
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
The park offers one kitchen shelter with electricity and a large barbecue grill and one without electricity plus 130 unsheltered picnic tables. One of the shelters can accommodate up to 200 people. For information or reservations, call the park office at (509) 545-2361.Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
| • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Marmots • Muskrats • Rabbits • Raccoons • Skunks • Squirrels | • Crows or Ravens • Doves or Pigeons • Ducks • Eagles • Geese • Gulls • Hawks • Herons • Hummingbirds • Ospreys • Owls • Pheasants • Quail | • Bass • Bluegill • Catfish • Crappie • Salmon • Steelhead • Sturgeon |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | ||
| The park's lands are sand dunes interspersed with wetland ponds. The park is on the plain of the great Lake Missoula floods, which swept through the area 12,000 years ago. |
