Schafer: Overview
Park overview:
Schafer State Park is a 119-acre camping park on the Satsop River, midway between Olympia and Ocean Park. A big attraction to park users is the abundant fishing for steelhead, cutthroat trout and salmon on the Satsop River. Wading and swimming in the shallow water make it an equally attractive site for family gatherings. Buildings are constructed from native stone. Rich in local history, the park is a state and national historic site as designated by the Washington Heritage Register and National Register of Historic Places.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: Campground closed Oct. 1, reopens April 27. Day-use area is open 8 a.m. to dusk during winter.
The park is open year round for 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 park has 41 tent spaces, nine sites with water and electric, one primitive sites, four walk-in sites, one ADA site; one dump station, one restroom with showers. Maximum site length is 40 feet (may have limited availability). Campsites 6-16, 24, 31 and 31, the primitive campsite and the four walk-in sites are available first come, first served. Utility campsites U-1 through U-9 and standard sites 1-5, 17-23, 25-30 are available by reservation. To make a reservation, visit online or call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.Group Accommodations:
The park provides one group camp provides a campfire ring, vault toilets and picnic tables. To reserve the group camp, 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.
Park Features
This park is known for its fishing opportunities, including sea-run cutthroat trout in summer, salmon in the fall and steelhead in late winter. There is abundant wildlife in the park. Wading and swimming are possible in the river.
History
Schafer State Park is a colorful haven created in memory of John and Anna Schafer. The Schafer Brothers' Logging Company donated the park to the state of Washington in 1924. Prior to 1922, the area comprising the park was the scene of many Schafer picnics.In 2010, the park was designated a state and national historic site by its addition to the Washington Heritage Register and National Register of Historic Places.
Interpretive opportunities
There are currently no interpretive opportunities at this park.Services/Supplies
| Available in the park | |
| • Park store • Fire wood |
The park store sells ice, soda; camping essentials, candy, ice cream and other items. Most services are within a few miles of the park.
Activities
| Trails | Water Activities | Other |
| • 2 mi. Hiking Trails | • Fishing (freshwater) • Swimming (freshwater) | • 1 Amphitheater • Bird Watching • 60 Fire Circles • 2 Fire Circles (sheltered) • 4 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
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 |
| Dec. 9 1 p.m. |
Yule Log Celebration: The traditional winter celebration and yule log hunt return to Schafer State Park. Children are invited to help hunt for the special yule log hidden in the forest. Once found, participants will drag the log back to the community hall to gather around the fire and celebrate the season with hot spiced cider, music and holiday treats. Potluck dessert additions are welcome. For more information, visit www.theschaferstateparkteam.org or call (360) 789-9953. |
Schafer (360) 482-3852 |
Picnic and Day-use Facilities
Two covered picnic shelters in the day-use area are reservable. For reservations, call (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.Wildlife
| Mammals | Birds | Fish & Sea Life |
| • Bears • Bobcats • Chipmunks • Coyotes • Deer or Elk • Marmots • Rabbits • Raccoons • Skunks • Squirrels | • Chukars • Crows or Ravens • Ducks • Eagles • Grouse • Hawks • Herons • Hummingbirds • Jays • Ospreys • Owls • Pheasants • Quail • Woodpeckers • Wrens | • Salmon • Steelhead • Trout |
Environmental Features
| Physical Features | Plant Life | ||
| • Cedar • Douglas Fir • Hemlock • Spruce • Alder • Apple • Ash • Maple • Poplar • Daisy • Foxglove • Lupines • Rhododendron • Berries • Ferns • Moss or Lichens • Poison Ivy |
