Check Out Washington state parks this summer!

Washington's state parks are some of the most iconic in the country. Now, more families will be able to experience the beauty in their backyard thanks to the expanded Checyak Out Washington program.

This year, Check Out Washington will provide 500 Adventure Packs with Discover passes – up from 400 in 2022 – to local libraries around the state. 

Adventure Pack contents include a Discover Pass, which provides families with free parking at public lands managed by Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with educational materials; a set of three laminated pocket guides about Washington trees, wildlife and birds; and a high-quality set of binoculars.

Paddle Safe Week

begins July 21!

Six years ago, the Recreational Boating Safety Program at State Parks created Paddle Safe Week to promote safety while out on the water!

Paddlesports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) are popular pastimes in our state, but they are not without risks. From July 21 to July 27, please watch for safety messages on our social media! As always:

Wear your life jacket. You are required by law to carry a well-fitted life jacket on board with you, even on a SUP. Wearing it is the best way to stay safe.

Be a role model in your community: know and demonstrate best safety practices. Help normalize paddling safety and encourage those around you to do the same.

Help share the message! Share safety tips with friends and family! Use hashtag #PaddleSafeWeek on all social media posts, and direct people to learn more.

RVers love State Parks

And we want you to have a great experience with us!

We know afternoon traffic is bad, and an early start is a great way to beat it! But early check-ins cause traffic jams in one-way campground loops, and no one wants to start their leisure time with a "clash of the titans." We're asking all campers to arrive at or after the designated check-in time.

Check-out time is 1 p.m. for all campsites.

Up to that time, cars and RVs will be leaving their sites. Our park aides will then clean them and trim branches that might otherwise scratch up your rig.

Check-in time is 2:30 p.m. for all campsites.

At that time traffic should be going one way. Campsites will be clean and ready for use. Please watch for pedestrians in the campground loops.

Please check in with the park office before driving to campsites.

Early arrivals do have some options! Call the park (or the local visitors' bureau) ahead of time to learn about day parking and tourism activities.