Washington
Parks in Washington
Discover the best state parks, lakes, hiking trails, waterfalls, and outdoor recreation throughout Washington State.
Washington offers much more than its cities. From the sea stacks of Ruby Beach to the meadows below Mount Rainier, the granite spires of the Enchantments and the rainforest of the Hoh, there are places to enjoy the outdoors in every corner of the state.
Explore Washington ParksEnjoy the Outdoors in Washington
Washington has more than 120 state parks, plus three national parks, national forest land and county parks. Whether you are looking for a scenic hike, a lake to swim or paddle, a waterfall trail, sports facilities, or a quiet place to relax, the state has parks for many different lifestyles.
Popular Parks in Washington
Explore some of Washington's best-known state parks, national sites and outdoor recreation areas.
Pierce County
Mount Rainier National Park
An active volcano ringed by wildflower meadows, glaciers and old-growth forest.
View Park DetailsClallam County
Olympic National Park
Rain forest, alpine ridges and wild Pacific coast in one park.
View Park Details
Skagit County
North Cascades National Park
Jagged peaks, turquoise lakes and glaciers along SR 20.
View Park DetailsCowlitz County
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
The blast zone and recovering landscape of the 1980 eruption.
View Park DetailsIsland County
Deception Pass State Park
Tidal currents, cliffs and forest on both sides of a dramatic bridge.
View Park DetailsChelan County
Lake Chelan State Park
Lakeside camping and swimming at the foot of Lake Chelan.
View Park DetailsWhitman County
Palouse Falls State Park
A 200-foot waterfall dropping into a basalt canyon on the Palouse River.
View Park DetailsGrant County
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park
Desert lakes beneath the cliffs of an ancient waterfall.
View Park DetailsGrant County
Steamboat Rock State Park
A basalt butte on Banks Lake with lakeside camping.
View Park DetailsSnohomish County
Wallace Falls State Park
Three waterfalls on a forested trail above the Skykomish River.
View Park DetailsChelan County
Lake Wenatchee State Park
Glacial lake beaches between the Cascades and the Enchantments.
View Park DetailsOkanogan County
Pearrygin Lake State Park
Methow Valley lake with warm water and sagebrush hills.
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Okanogan County
Alta Lake State Park
A desert lake in a canyon near the Columbia River.
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Ferry County
Curlew Lake State Park
Forest lake fishing in the northeast highlands.
View Park DetailsSpokane County
Riverside State Park
Basalt cliffs, pine forest and the Spokane River in the city.
View Park DetailsSpokane County
Mount Spokane State Park
Ski slopes, wildflower ridges and views across three states.
View Park DetailsStevens County
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
A 130-mile reservoir behind Grand Coulee Dam.
View Park DetailsJefferson County
Fort Worden Historical State Park
An artillery fort turned arts and conference campus on the strait.
View Park DetailsIsland County
Fort Casey State Park
Coastal artillery bunkers above Admiralty Inlet.
View Park DetailsIsland County
Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Prairie farmland, bluff trails and a historic settlement.
View Park DetailsSan Juan County
Moran State Park
Island forest, five lakes and a summit tower on Orcas Island.
View Park DetailsSan Juan County
Lime Kiln Point State Park
A rocky shoreline known for watching orcas from land.
View Park DetailsSan Juan County
Spencer Spit State Park
A sandy spit and lagoon on Lopez Island.
View Park DetailsWhatcom County
Larrabee State Park
Washington's first state park, on Chuckanut Bay.
View Park DetailsWhatcom County
Birch Bay State Park
A warm shallow bay and long beach near the Canadian border.
View Park DetailsSkagit County
Bay View State Park
Padilla Bay shoreline camping near the tulip fields.
View Park DetailsSnohomish County
Kayak Point Regional Park
A long pier, beach and forest above Port Susan.
View Park DetailsKing County
Lake Sammamish State Park
A lake park with beaches and river trails at Issaquah.
View Park DetailsKing County
Bridle Trails State Park
Forest trails shared with horses in the middle of the Eastside.
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King County
Marymoor Park
A 640-acre park of trails, fields and a live music venue.
View Park DetailsKing County
Discovery Park
Seattle's largest park, with bluffs, forest and a lighthouse beach.
View Park DetailsKing County
Gas Works Park
A former gas plant turned lakefront park with skyline views.
View Park DetailsPierce County
Point Defiance Park
A 760-acre forested park with zoo, aquarium and a five-mile drive.
View Park DetailsPierce County
Chambers Bay
A links golf course and trail on a former gravel mine.
View Park DetailsKing County
Dash Point State Park
Forest camping on Puget Sound near Federal Way.
View Park DetailsKing County
Saltwater State Park
A small Puget Sound beach park between Seattle and Tacoma.
View Park DetailsPacific County
Cape Disappointment State Park
Lighthouses and cliffs where the Columbia meets the Pacific.
View Park DetailsGrays Harbor County
Ocean City State Park
Dune forest camping behind the beach.
View Park DetailsGrays Harbor County
Lake Sylvia State Park
A forest lake with a swimming area near Montesano.
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Mason County
Twanoh State Park
Warm Hood Canal water and a historic bathhouse.
View Park DetailsClallam County
Sequim Bay State Park
A sheltered bay with camping on the Olympic Peninsula.
View Park DetailsClallam County
Salt Creek Recreation Area
Tide pools and a former military battery on the strait.
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Jefferson County
Hoh Rain Forest
Moss-draped old-growth temperate rain forest.
View Park DetailsJefferson County
Ruby Beach
Sea stacks and driftwood on the Olympic coast.
View Park DetailsClallam County
Hurricane Ridge
Alpine meadows reached by a paved road above Port Angeles.
View Park DetailsClallam County
Lake Crescent
A deep, clear glacial lake in Olympic National Park.
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King County
Snoqualmie Falls
A 268-foot waterfall beside a historic hydropower plant.
View Park DetailsSkamania County
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
A dramatic river gorge of cliffs, waterfalls and wind sports.
View Park DetailsSkamania County
Beacon Rock State Park
A basalt monolith with a trail to the top.
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Klickitat County
Goldendale Observatory State Park
A public observatory with dark skies over the plateau.
View Park DetailsSpokane County
Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
Channeled scabland wetlands alive with waterfowl.
View Park DetailsClark County
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Columbia River lowlands with an auto tour and plankhouse.
View Park DetailsThurston County
Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge
Estuary boardwalks where the Nisqually River meets Puget Sound.
View Park DetailsKittitas County
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Petrified logs and Columbia River views in desert country.
View Park DetailsFranklin County
Sacajawea State Park
Where the Snake and Columbia rivers meet.
View Park DetailsPhotos of each park are by Wikimedia Commons contributors, shared under CC BY, CC BY-SA or public domain licenses.
Great Parks for Families
Families across Washington have plenty of options for a day outside. Many state parks have swimming beaches, playgrounds, open lawns, shaded picnic areas, hiking trails, and facilities that make it easy to spend several hours outdoors.
- Playgrounds and play structures
- Picnic tables and pavilions
- Open lawns for games
- Walking and biking paths
- Shaded areas
- Family-friendly recreation
Walking, Biking & Outdoor Fitness
Washington's parks and rail-trails make it easy to stay active through every season. Residents use them for morning hikes, jogging, cycling, paddling, cross-country skiing, and everyday recreation.
Explore Washington's Natural Side
Washington is shaped by Puget Sound, the Pacific, the Columbia and the Cascades. Parks such as Ruby Beach, Deception Pass, Mount St. Helens and Lake Chelan show a quieter side of the state, from sea stacks and tide pools to volcanic slopes and glacier-fed water.
Perfect for walking, wildlife viewing, photography, and simply relaxing outdoors.
Find Parks Near Washington Cities & Towns
Living near a quality park can make a big difference in everyday life. Parks provide recreation, community gathering spaces, walking opportunities, and easy access to outdoor activities.
Explore Washington Cities & TownsWhy Parks Matter When Choosing Where to Live
Outdoor Recreation
Easy access to walking, biking, boating and family activities.
Family Lifestyle
Playgrounds and green spaces give families more options close to home.
Community
Parks often serve as gathering places for events, recreation, and neighborhood activities.
Quality of Life
Access to attractive outdoor spaces adds to the overall appeal of a neighborhood.
Washington Parks FAQs
Discover More of Washington
Explore Washington cities, towns, counties, parks, restaurants, shopping, local businesses, and things to do throughout the Evergreen State.