Idyllic beaches and blissful island hopping, 200 ft. waterfalls and freshly caught crab dinners. There's something for everyone at Washington's State Parks. Here are some of the best tips for families:
Arriving at Cama Beach on Camano Island is like entering a former time. The beach was at its heyday in the thirties, and the retro style has been preserved. Boat hires and boat building classes help you to unwind and relax here. The beach of this Historical State Park is backed by whispering forests. A mile long trail connects the beach to Camano Island State Park.
Dappled sunlight plays on the ground of the forested trails in this stunning park with its views over Puget Sound. Kids love to come here for shelling, crabbing, and sailboarding in Saratoga Passage. Play about in the water, try your hand at saltwater fishing, or grill your freshly caught crab and feast in the sunshine.
Ice Age floods carved the dramatic canyon you see here. More than 13,000 years ago, rushing falls were even more prevalent in the area. Still today, a 200 ft. waterfall drops into a basalt basin, a spectacular sight not to be missed. Your family will be in awe when they catch sight of the falls from three different viewpoints in the park. Climb to the Fryxell Overlook for panoramas of the canyon.
Shelling on the shores of Dash Point, or exploring the trails along Skagit River, Washington offers truly unique experiences. Have a go at the hiking trails in the following scenic state parks:
Head to Dash Point and wander along trails to shorelines decorated with driftwood. Sand flats are popular with skim boarders, while at high tide, these beaches provide a launch for watersport fans. Go birding in the wooded glens of this 398 acre park, and hike along trails to views of Puget Sound, or stay on the beach and find crabs, starfish, and other sea creatures.
Visitors to this verdant park are attracted by miles of hiking and biking trails through sun dappled forests. By the lake, Kayaks, paddle boards, and pedal boat rentals attract water sport lovers. Discover original Civilian Conservation Corps structures from the 1930s, as you wander through the leafy wilderness to fishing and swimming holes where you can bask in the sunshine.
This temperate forest park is the venue for paddling trips on the sapphire Skagit River, hikes in the meadows, and sports games at the park's pitches. The169 acres are bordered by the Skagit River. Follow hiking trails and look out for eagles, or swim in the crystal clear river waters.
Plunge into watersports at the popular Deception Pass, or canoe along the Hood River. These Washington State Parks are buzzing with outward bound activities:
Washington's most visited State Park, Deception Pass is renowned for its huge variety of adventure activities, which keep visitors coming back. Explore over four thousand acres of parkland, and 100,000 ft. of shoreline. Connected by a bridge, two islands come together to shape this beautiful park. Watersports, boating, and fishing are big attractions here. Discover glistening tide pools and venture into ancient forests at the Kukatali Preserve on Kiket Island, which is co-managed by the Swinomish Indian community.
You'll love Dosewallips State Park, where you can search for clams, oysters, and pretty shells in the glittering delta, or visit historic forts to the north of the park. Serene forest hugs the Olympic Peninsula, and herds of elk wander though the grounds. Come boating on Hood Canal, or watch blue herons as you explore the park's plethora of trails. Hike up to the Wildlife Viewing Platform, watch a game at the sports pitches, or catch a show at the amphitheater.
The surreal beauty of Kitsap has seen many a marriage beneath the Olympic Mountains. Kite flying and croquet are among the sports on offer, and there are frisbee fields and fishing holes to keep you entertained all day long. Come paddle on the beach, or wander through trails beneath cooling canopies of green.