State Parks in Washington

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 …

Brooks Memorial State Park is situated in south-central Washington 15 miles north of Goldendale, a city and county seat of Klickitat County. The 682-acre seasonal camping park is located just off Highway 97 in between the barren hills of the south Yakima Valley and the pine forests of the Simcoe Mountains.The park was established between 1944 and 1957 and was named in honor of local resident Nelson B. Brooks, who is credited with developing a fantastic community road system. Book an RV in Klickitat County and plan a rustic retreat at Brooks Memorial State Park, where you'll be able to experience Washington’s stunning environments, epic views, and abundant wildlife.

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 …

Sitting on the Northern banks of the Columbia River, Columbia Hills State Park is also referred to as Columbia Hills Historical State Park. This 3,338-acre the riverside park encompasses the 90-acre Horsethief Lake, 12 miles of trails and a variety of outdoor recreation. The park is ideal for horseback riding, biking, and rock climbing. The park is located just 14 minutes from Lyle and a few miles from Goldendale. Columbia Hills State Park was established in 2003 by merging Horsethief State Park and Dalles Mountain Ranch.Columbia Hills State Park is a home to Native American Petroglyphs dating back to 1957. These historic petroglyphs and pictographs were salvaged from being submerged in Columbia River Gorge area following the construction …

One of the Washington State Bureau of Reclamation’s first projects to control irrigation and create reservoirs for local farmers, Conconully State Park was created in 1910 alongside with the Conconully Dam. Washington State Parks took over management in 1945, and officially established as a recreation spot for outdoorsmen and nature lovers.The neighboring town, Conconully, butts up against the park’s boundaries, and they hold annual events in the park throughout the year. Perhaps the most notable one is the Outhouse Race, held in January. Participants dress in costumes, plop their outhouses on skis, and ride to the finish line. The Outhouse Race has been run since the late 1980s and is fast becoming a popular draw for the local towns …

Curlew Lake State Park is located in northern Washington state, close to the US - Canada border and the towns of Republic, Curlew, and Tonasket. The park, as its namesake suggests, lies on the eastern shores of Curlew Lake. Flanked by the Colville National Forest, the Ferry National Forest, and a string of mountain ranges, Curlew Lake State Park is located in some of the most idyllic and breathtaking scenery in all of Washington State.With an endless list of lakeside recreation and a vast area of woodland and foothills to explore, Curlew Lake State Park is the perfect place to take an RV rental in the state of Washington. Accessing the park with a rental RV …