State Parks near Des Moines, WA

Alpine Lakes Wilderness, in Washington, was originally established as “Alpine Lakes Limited Area” in 1946, but because this classification didn’t protect it from mining operations and commercial endeavors, nature lovers lobbied for several years to increase the protections. In 1976, President Ford agreed and signed an act to reclassify it as a wilderness, “Alpine Lakes Wilderness.” He was heard saying about Alpine Lakes, “anywhere so beautiful should be preserved.” This pristine slice of wilderness is the home of several endangered and threatened animals, including the golden eagle, goshawk, spotted owl, and lynx.The closest large town is Leavenworth, WA, which is a charming Bavarian-themed town. Many businesses, restaurants, and shops center around this niche, and visitors will find confectionaries, …

Searching for a secluded camping spot with great fishing and a host of other water sports on offer? Alta Lake State Park could be just what you're looking for.Located ten miles southwest of the town of Brewster, and nestled in the hills near Lake Chelan, this 181-acre park allows you to immerse yourself in the pristine natural beauty of central Washington. Whether you want to go for a leisurely paddle, cast a fishing line, take a refreshing dip, or just relax beside the water, you'll find everything you need in the park.And with a pretty and serene campground just a short walk from the lake, Alta Lake State Park is the ideal place to visit in a …

An RV rental in Clark County is a great way to explore southern Washington’s large cities and extensive outdoor opportunities. Battle Ground Lake State Park is located in this county and is a fun place to spend time camping with an RV. The park can trace its geological history to over 100,000 years ago, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that the state park was officially created.There are over 270 acres of land at Battle Ground Lake State Park, which has been named for the area in which a tense encounter was held against a local Native American tribe in the 1850s. There is also a town named for the same purpose, known as Battle Ground, nearby. The …

Bay View State Park sits on the shores of Padilla Bay, which branches off the waterways that lead to the nearby Pacific Ocean. The state park is situated in a rural region, in the far northwest corner of the state of Washington. A small town that share's the park's name is just outside the park's borders. The nearest town of real size, Burlington, is less than 10 miles to the east. The Seattle metro area is around 70 miles to the south, while the Canadian border is less than 50 miles to the north.The ecosystems found in the state park include forestland, as well as marshy wetlands and beaches, being that it sits right on the water. The …

Laying on the shores of the Columbia River, Beacon Rock State Park is a natural jewel of Washington state. This park is located southeast of Castle Rock and a two-hour drive from Olympia. Beacon Rock State Park is known for an 848-foot basalt volcanic plug recorded by Lewis and Clark in 1805. They passed through this part of Washington on their way to the Pacific Ocean. This area became a state park in 1935 after the Biddle family gave away their land to the state in an attempt to save the Beacon Rock from being destroyed.Today, the 4,464-acre state park is frequented by rock climbers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts looking for their next big adventure. Beacon Rock State …

The Pacific Northwest is an absolutely gorgeous destination to explore, and when you book an RV in Mason County, you’ll have easy access to not only the Olympic Peninsula but also major cities like Seattle and Tacoma. Belfair State Park is located just east of the Olympic Peninsula and lies on the shores of the Hood Canal, an offshoot of the Puget Sound. This state park offers a diverse collection of wooded areas and wetlands to explore.The boundaries of the park contain both water and land, and the combination of wetlands, pebble-filled beaches, tidal flats, and intricate salmon runs will keep you entertained for days on end. RV camping at Belfair State Park is also a great …

The Pacific Northwest has an immense amount of outdoor places to explore, and when you search for an RV in Whatcom County, you’ll have easy access to all that the northwestern corner of Washington has to offer. Birch Bay State Park is a small state park that is a great starting point for your adventure. Its combination of sandy shores, rocky beaches, and breathtaking views of the North Cascade Mountains will amaze almost anyone.As luck would have it, while camping at Birch Bay State Park, you’ll have easy access to both natural attractions and a few nearby cities, including the popular tourist destination Blaine and even Abbotsford, in Canada. Additionally, Birch Bay State Park borders Birch Bay, …

Located just outside Darrington, WA, and roughly 30 miles away from Arlington, Boulder River Wilderness covers 48,674 acres. Designated in 1984, this area gets its name from Boulder River that weaves through this wilderness. It is one of the ten wilderness areas within the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest. Boulder River Wilderness is dotted with lakes, waterfalls, alpine meadows, rivers, mountain peaks, and streams. No matter the season you plan on exploring Boulder River Wilderness, you will be treated with rewarding views of the awe-inspiring mountain vistas.Hike or bike through Boulder River Wilderness rugged terrain to get a view of its diverse plants and animal species. Regardless of your reason for visiting this area, it is always a great …

Nicknamed “the wilderness in the city," Bridle Trails State Park is a pristine pocket of rainforest in the Seattle metro. The state of Washington purchased nearly 500 acres in 1930 and officially established it as a state park in 1932. It, however, laid largely disused until the late 30s when the Civilian Conservation Corps, operating under President Roosevelt’s New Deal program, cleared out the underbrush and blazed several miles of trails. An extremely horse- and dog-friendly park, Bridle Trails State Park is considered one of the premier equestrian trails in the west.The town border of Kirkland butts up against Bridle Trails State Park. Just a mile to the northwest, Kirkland is the former home of the Seattle Seahawks, a …

Please don't let the name fool you – Cape Disappointment State Park will do anything but disappoint. This 2,000-acre park at the confluence of the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean is one of the most popular state parks in Washington. The park is home to beaches, lakes, and marshes, and is known for its breathtaking scenery, fascinating history, and hiking opportunities. The Spanish explored this area in the mid-1750s, and they noted that the Columbia River probably led to another sea. Explorer John Meares went looking for this sea in 1788 and failed to find it. In fact, he thought that the river was actually just a bay, provoking his disappointment. The name has stuck.Cape Disappointment State Park …

At 292,000 acre Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is one of the largest and most popular national scenic areas in America and was designated in 1986. This area gets its name from the 85 miles long, and 4,000 feet deep Columbia River Gorge created when Columbia River cuts through the Cascade Mountains. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is a year-round outdoor-recreation attraction located just 30 miles from Portland, OR, and approximately 47 away miles from Troutdale, OR. The scenic area lies along the Washington-Oregon border and extends to six counties.Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area features cliffs, deserts, rain forests, grasslands, rivers, alpine meadows, lakes, wetlands, and native Indian petroglyphs. In addition, this area is …

The name, Daroga, is an amalgamation of three brothers’ names: DAvid, RObert, and GRady Auvil. The trio founded a peach orchard company, the Auvil Fruit Company, in the early 1940s and created a new type of peach called Daroga Peach. The original site of the orchard was flooded after the construction of Rocky Reach Dam. The orchard had to be moved further inland as a result. Grady Auvil is also credited with creating the famous Granny Smith apple and bringing Rainier Cherry to Washington State. The site of the original orchard was later sold to Chelan County in 1981 and has been leased to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission since then.Central Washington, in contrast with the coastal …

If you enjoy swimming, kayaking, fishing, and a variety of other water sports, you'll love Dash Point State Park. Located just west of Federal Way on the Puget Sound, and easily accessible from both Seattle and Tacoma, this 461-acre park is all about being on, in, or near the water.And with an RV-friendly campground that's open all year round, Dash Point State Park is a great place to take the family for a weekend or even a whole week of water-based fun and relaxation. Keep reading to find out how to plan your perfect camping vacation in this beautiful Washington state park.

There are many different activities for families to bond over at Deception Pass State Park in Oak Harbor, Washington. Visitors can enjoy the beaches of Cranberry Lake where they can fish or search for shells. Swimming is also permitted at the lake and is a great way to spend a weekend in the summer. Book an RV in Island County and head over to Deception Pass State Park to experience this peaceful 3,800-acre tract along the Puget Sound.Here, you'll enjoy tranquil island living as well as close proximity to some of the state's largest urban centers. While camping at Deception Pass State Park, plan to visit Coupeville, a 30-minute drive south of the park. You can also …

Discovery Park is located in the northwest corner of the Seattle metro area. The park sits on the inner, Elliot, and Shishole Bays, that branch off of Puget Sound, which eventually leads to the Pacific Ocean. Other larger towns in the local area include Bellevue, which is less than 15 miles to the east, and Tacoma, which is around 40 miles to the south.This is a beautiful area of Seattle to visit. Discovery Park offers a quieter, more secluded and natural setting in a very scenic part of town. In addition, you are just on the outskirts of a large city and can enjoy all the cultural activities and eclectic restaurants, shops and museums available there.