Projects

In 2014, the Bridle Trails Park Foundation began conversations with Washington State Parks about funding the design and construction of an environmental education building in the park.

Significant septic and infrastructure failures led to the closure of the cabins and other buildings in the beach area of park in February 2024. Following a public process, the Commission voted in October 2024 to keep the cabins permanently closed where they currently sit.

Cape Disappointment camping — including loops A, B, C and D, Waikiki Beach and the North Jetty will tentatively close after Labor Day 2025 through May 2026 while we complete renovations and repairs to improve the park. The boat launch will also experience intermittent closures. 

Beginning in mid-April, the first 14 miles of the Spokane River Centennial Trail will temporarily close while Parks resurfaces the trail with a new layer of asphalt. The project is anticipated for completion in early September. 

The West Beach parking lot at Deception Pass State Park experienced significant damage following heavy winter storms in January. The lot pavement was damaged in several areas and littered with large debris. The parking lot is located near a shoreline, which is a sensitive ecosystem. 

Washington State Parks is now operating the upper campus of Fort Worden Historical State Park. In the coming months, we will begin a planning process to inform the long-term plan for the upper campus. The parks campgrounds are open and remain available for reservations.  

Parks is in the process of developing a new community-informed Master Plan for Mount Spokane State Park. This heavily-used "trails park" features distinct summer and winter experiences for a variety of recreational opportunities. The master planning process, called the “Future Planning for Mount Spokane” is rooted in the exploration of what Mount S

Washington State Parks is currently working on the Classification and Management Planning (CAMP) process for Gingko Petrified Forest State Park. State Parks started the CAMP process in January 2019; however, planning was put on hold in June 2021 when it was determined that additional environmental analysis was necessary.

Washington State Parks is undertaking a Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) conversion project at Grayland Beach State Park. This project involves a minor adjustment to ensure the long-term recreational benefits of LWCF are maintained.

Beginning June 3, 2024, Kopachuck State Park will close for major construction of roads and buildings, primarily in its upper day-use area. The project is expected to reach completion August of 2025.

Washington State Parks, in partnership with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, will create improved in-stream habitat along the lower 6,000 feet of Issaquah Creek that flows through Lake Sammamish State Park. The result will be an environment that is more hospitable to Chinook and other salmon species, where

State Parks is reviewing and updating Lake Sammamish State Park’s Management Plan, which was originally completed in 2004.

Lake Sammamish State Park is getting a much-needed renovation at Sunset Beach. This heavily used day-use area will have improved ADA access trails, an upgraded event space, new picnic shelters, and small covered shelters near the playground for caregivers to observe the play area.

On June 23, State Parks lowered the level of Lake Sylvia approximately five feet to relieve pressure on the Lake Sylvia dam.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is developing a long-range plan for its property located on Miller Peninsula. This 2,800-acre undeveloped park is located in the north Olympic Peninsula, just east of Sequim and north of Highway 101 in Clallam County.

Washington State Parks is looking at long-term management options at Moran State Park as Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO) transitions away from the current utility corridor. 

The Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, a gateway for exploring the Mount St. Helens area and learning about the volcano will close from Sept. 30, 2024 to mid-May 2025 for a complete update of its exhibits. The center is expected to open in time for the 45th anniversary of Mount St. Helens’ 1980 eruption on  May 18, 2025.

In early April, construction began on a new roundabout at the intersection of State Route 7 and Mashel Prairie Road near Nisqually State Park. Work is anticipated for completion by September 2025, weather permitting. 

Nisqually State Park is a day-use park currently in development near the town of Eatonville on the Nisqually River between the Mashel River and Ohop Creek. 

In 2018, State Parks initiated a planning process to update the land classifications and long-term boundaries at three parks located within the Blue Mountain Area: Palouse Falls, Lyons Ferry, and Lewis and Clark Trail. The Commission adopted the recommended updates to the land classification and long-term boundaries for these three parks in January 2021.

The Malden to Kenova project on the East Section of the Palouse to Cascades Trail includes the design and reconstruction of three bridges along the trail that burned in the 2020 Babb Road Fire.

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is beginning a process to update the long-term boundary for Pearrygin Lake State Park to include properties on the north shore of the lake.

We asked campers to weigh in on proposed changes to the camping stay limits WAC. Stay limits are outlined in Section 7 of WAC 352-32-030.

During the spring of 2025, Parks worked with contractors to complete a 340-acre forest health project in Riverside State Park in the area between Seven Mile Road and Carlson Road. This project will promote a healthy and resilient forest by removing wildfire fuels and low vigor trees.

In April 2025, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will begin a grant-funded project to build a new trailhead and expand parking access to the popular Knothead Loop Trail in Northwest Spokane. Construction has begun and will tentatively be completed in September.

Spokane County Parks, Recreation, and Golf

State Parks is seeking input on a proposal to amend an easement and update the land classifications of a portion of the property associated with the Spokane River Centennial Trail adjacent to the Plante’s Ferry Sports Complex in Spokane County.

Washington State Parks has started a planning process for Steptoe Butte State Park and Steptoe Battlefield State Park Heritage Sites. CAMP is a multi-staged, public participation-based planning process for individual parks that culminates with adoption of park land classifications, a long-term park boundary, and a park management plan.