Beacon Rock State Park

This unique perspective of Beacon Rock State Park is our photo of the week.

Wama Itha’s Facebook photo share of Beacon Rock State Park makes us want to lay down in the park’s lush fields and soak in the view. It’s a cool and different perspective of the ancient volcano core, with the soft colors of wildflowers adding cheer to the foreground.

This is what Wama said about the photo: “The loop from which I took this photo is 1.1 miles, flat and paved, great for all ages, bike riding, and is wheelchair accessible, open year round. Beautiful park. Its a mile long hike, 848 ft climb, with 52 switchbacks, to a 360 view of the Columbia River gorge, just breath taking!”

May is Volcano Awareness Month. Take a trip to Beacon Rock, an ancient volcano core craved by the Ice Age floods.

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Photo by Wama Itha.

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I started my 2013 camping earlier than usual, leading a group of photographers (strangers) to central Washington so camp and take bird photos.

Our first night, we camped at Potholes State Park. I had camped here once before and was heavily attacked by mosquitoes, so it was a relief to camp here while it was still cold at night and not have to worry about the little buggers. Since we all had tents, we opted to camp in the rustic spots. Putting up the tents wasn’t easy – high winds made it challenging, but soon we were all set up.

Once we were set up, we caravanned around the area in search of birds. We knew it was the sand hill crane migrating season. At the Corfu Woods, we could hear a large flock of sand hill cranes, but could barely see them in the distance.

We got back to our camp around 5:30pm. Driving through the park at Potholes, we saw many northern harriers looking for their dinner. After our own dinner, it was fun sitting around a campfire and getting to know each other.

After spending the next morning photographing birds at various spots, we headed to Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park and set up camp. Afterwards, a few of us drove up to the Dry Falls Overlook. Dry Falls used to be the widest falls in the world until the end of the ice age. From the overlook, it’s around 400 feet down to the bottom.

Some WSU students were rappalling down the cliff, picking up litter that inconsiderate people had thrown over the edge.

Another stop was Steamboat Rock State Park, where I had camped before and hope to do so again.

It started to rain around 3am and continued to pour until we got up at 6:30am. Nothing worse than packing up a soaking wet tent and gear!

All in all, it was a really fun weekend with beautiful scenery!

-Anita Elder
Seattle, Washington

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Family camping is a Pacific Northwest tradition. With more than 100 beautiful Washington state parks to choose from, narrowing your family’s adventure destination to just one is more of an art than a science. When it comes to selecting a camping spot, The Campy Mom knows best.

A Little Campy is a resource for families making outdoor adventure a priority. From recipes, gear and event tips for selecting your next campsite, you have access to everything you need to know about family camping across the country.

Picking just the right campground will keep your family’s weekend camping adventure fun for everyone. Here are four tips we love from A Little Campy to help plan your next Washington state park vacation:

1. Camp near many large rock outcroppings!

Rock climbing and safe scrambling for children provides unlimited chances for exploring.

Park to try: Columbia Hills State Park

Rock outcroppings are a plenty in the Columbia River Gorge – and Columbia Hills State Park is no exception. It’s also a popular spot for swimming, hikes up Horsethief Butte and adventures into Washington state history at Dalles Mountain Ranch. This park has eight partial utility sites, four standard sites, six primitive tent sites and one reservable teepee.

2. Camp near a lake!

Swimming, rock skipping and kayaking offer hours of entertainment during the heat of summer.

Park to try: Bridgeport State Park

Rufus Woods Lake at Bridgeport State Park is actually a segment of the Columbia River. It’s a great spot for swimming, tubing and all things water sports. Large ‘haystack’ rocks are a trademark of this desert camping park. Kids love exploring these volcanic formations as much as splashing around in the water.  Reserve one of the 14 tent sites or 20 partial utility sites to start your adventure.

3. Camp near many different hiking trails!

Having more than one way to go exploring helps break up time. Try one trail, and then take a break before moving onto the next.

Park to try: Riverside State Park

You’ll want a few weekend camping trips at Riverside State Park to hike every trail. With more than 14,000 acres to explore and 55 miles of hiking trails, there are options to pique your entire family’s interest. Plus, there are multiple campgrounds available along Lake Spokane and the Spokane River for endless adventures. 

4. Camp by sandy shores!

Sandcastle building, kite flying and other fun projects go hand-in-hand with beachside vacations.

 
 
Park to try: Ocean City State Park

Ocean City State Park is a perfect family beach get-away destination. You’ll find sandy beaches, dunes to explore and thickets of shore pine at this Ocean Shores area park. Kids can let out their inner architect by constructing fantastic sandcastles or take advantage of strong ocean breezes that will send their kites soaring. The park has 149 standard sites and 29 full utility sites within a short hike to the beach.

 
A Little Campy has more tips for selecting your next campsite!
Find the rest of this blog on their site.
 
Have a state park camping story?
Share your story and photos with us using the Share Your Story portal.

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Photos courtesy of OakleyOriginals (Marshmallows and campfire), ChelseaWA (Rock climbing), Jesse Davis (Skipping rocks), Seth Stoll (Kid hiking) and Colin Bowern (Sandcastle building).

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Beacon Rock State Park

Hiking up the Beacon Rock Trail is an experience you’ll want to add to your bucket list. The trail climbs an ancient volcano core. At the top, the Columbia River Gorge stands before you, carved by the historic Ice Age floods.

Deception Pass State Park

There are many adventures to try at Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey Island, which made it tricky to narrow our video pick to just one. From crossing the Deception Pass Bridge to kayaking and diving, this video takes you full circle at one of Washington’s most popular state parks.

Fort Casey State Park

Fly over Admiralty Head Lighthouse, gun batteries and the bluffs of Fort Casey State Park in this unique aerial tour. Steeped in Washington state history, it’s a great park to take the family on a Memorial Day weekend adventure.

Mount Spokane State Park

Perched at the top of Quartz Mountain at Mount Spokane State Park is a historic fire lookout. Its vista views make a spectacular reward for the lung stretching hike up the mountain.

Palouse Falls State Park

You’ll fall in love with Palouse Falls State Park after watching this video. The amazing 198-foot waterfall is a gem of eastern Washington – and a great day trip destination.

Steamboat Rock State Park

Wildflowers and hiking trails up the basalt landscape of Steamboat Rock State Park are the feature of our next video pick. Home to Northrup and Banks lakes, this park is a desert oasis in the eastern Washington scablands.

Steptoe Butte State Park

The adventure to try for adrenaline lovers is paragliding at Steptoe Butte State Park. You’ll get some serious air from this 3,600-foot quartzite butte and a tri-state view. If you’re into a more grounded adventure, drive up to the to top of this day use park to take in the  brilliant greens and yellows of the Palouse hills.

There’s more videos waiting for you…
Head over to the Washington State Parks YouTube channel for more amazing videos.

Want to see your state park video on Adventure Awaits?
Upload your adventure story and a link to your video using the Share Your Story portal.

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Feature photo courtesy of DrBjorn (Palouse Falls).

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Does hearing another parent utter those four little words stir up visions of frantic house cleaning and protecting your favorite china cabinet? Give playdate pressure a time out. Plan a hassle-free outdoor day of fun at a Washington state park.

Playground fun at Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park.

Playdates mean fun for kids and a chance for moms and dads to have an adult conversation while they tire themselves out for an afternoon. Washington state parks are nature’s playground – and some even have big toys. They’re safe and fun outdoor venues waiting for your next playdate.

Want to find just the right park before sending your comrades that Evite? Choose from more than 100 state park options by using this handy regional map. Or check out these playdate options for parks near Seattle, Port Townsend, Spokane and Wenatchee.

Saint Edward State Park

A Seattle-area playdate planner’s dream! Saint Edward State Park is just  16 miles from the Emerald City’s center on the north end of Lake Washington. Today is THE day to get out and see this gorgeous park built on the site of an old Catholic seminary.

Wading in Lake Washington is a fun way to cool down on summer playdates.

In honor of National Kids to Parks Day and the Washington State Parks centennial, Saint Edward is hosting a day of fun events – including geocaching lessons and free cake.

For the playdate set, the park is home to an enormous, castle-like outdoor play area with sand boxes, slides and lots of other fun features. They can run off steam playing tag on one of big grassy lawns, or take a hike through a forested trail and down to the water to turn some rocks into ripples. It’s a great day to spend some time at Saint Edward. And did we mention the free cake?

Fort Flagler State Park

Even in an area known for its off-the-charts levels of outdoor awesomeness  – especially during the summer season – Fort Flagler State Park is a standout among the Olympic Peninsula’s list of attributes. The Olympic Mountains and historic structures provide the backdrop at this old military fort. There are months of playdate opportunities here! 

Kids of all ages love climbing and exploring historic military batteries.

Start with a visit to the park’s day-use playground where the grade school set can romp on the climbing walls, slides and forts. Hungry?  Have a picnic (and use the potty) at the tables and bathrooms right next to the play area. Or grab a bite or an ice cream the park’s concession stand. You’ll want to try kite flying at this park on Puget Sound. The gusty winds make for many days of marvelous flying weather at the park’s multiple beaches.

Naturally, there is swimming too, weather permitting, and playing in the sand. Older kids may enjoy exploring the park’s old gun batteries. Visit the park today and you may catch a glimpse of a paragliding group soaring on colorful chutes over the beach next to the playground.

Riverside State Park/Nine Mile Recreation Area

While there is no playground equipment in this park, there is also no shortage of fun activities for kids. Rivaling a small town in size, Riverside State Park and Nine Mile Recreation Area envelops the Spokane metropolitan area.

Cross the swinging bridge and hike to the Bowl & Pitcher.

A fun trip could include a short hike across the popular (and thrilling) swinging bridge for a bird’s-eye view of wild rapids on the Spokane River, then a short drive and for swimming and a picnic on Lake Spokane. For extra thrills, rent a paddleboat or canoe and tool around on the water.

Wenatchee Confluence State Park

A park with a split personality, Wenatchee Confluence is like a state park and a city park rolled into one. At the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers, the park is located within the city of Wenatchee. The day-use area features two brand-new, large-scale playground toys with benches for parents to keep watch over little ones. Big lawns beg for a game of ball and down by the riverside there is a roped-off swimming area suitable even for very small children – with proper supervision, of course.

The smooth, paved Apple Capital Loop Trail is perfect for bicycle playdates.

May is National Bike Month and Wenatchee Confluence State Park is our pick for a playdate biking adventure. The park is connected to the Apple Capital Loop Trail, a paved 10-mile loop ideal for tykes and their trikes.

Today is National Kids to Parks Day!
Encourage your family to get active in Washington’s great outdoors.

What’s your favorite state park playdate memory?
Upload your story and photos using our Share Your Story portal.

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Feature photo of Saint Edward State Park. Photos courtesy Paul Schultz (girls wading in Lake Washington), Rachel (Riveride State Park) and Gene Bisbee (Apple Capital Loop Trail photo).

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Grab your camera and Discover Pass – it’s time for a wildlife road trip in north central Washington.

We’re telling you about some amazing places to discover animals along the northern end of US 97. Start this adventure on the banks of Lake Chelan.

Stop One: Lake Chelan State Park

Stop one on this wildlife watching adventure is Lake Chelan State Park. This 127-acre camping park sits along the glacier-carved shoreline of Lake Chelan (above). Swimming, boating and water skiing are the sports to try in the summer, leaving the quieter spring season wide open for nature viewing.

To get to the best wildlife viewpoint, walk east from the parking lot along the shoreline. Keep an eye out for mule deer, yellow-bellied marmots and white-headed woodpeckers.

Stop Two: Beebe Springs Natural Area

Walk along the restored salmon stream at WDFW’s Beebe Springs Natural Area to see steelhead salmon up close. It’s a wildlife habitat area on the Lake Entiat reservoir. This month, you’ll see steelhead fighting their way up-stream. Or stick to dry land and search for fence lizards, red-tailed hawks, osprey and great blue heron. During your exploration, snap a photo of one of the massive steel sculptures by artist Virgil “Smoker” Marchand.

Into geocaching? Take a short break to find the cache hidden at Beebe Springs.

Stop Three: Alta Lake State Park

Wildlife on land and in flight can be found at Alta Lake State Park. Everything from tiny Townsend chipmunks and Rufous hummingbirds to golden eagles. Summer crowds flock to the blue waters in the summer. But you can beat the heat—and the traffic—by taking a spring hike along the 1.2-mile trail to a scenic plateau.

If you love sailboarding, we recommend planning a return trip and staying overnight in the summer.

Stop Four: Wells Wildlife Area – Indian Dan Canyon Unit

Stop four on this wildlife road trip is the more than 4,000-acre of shrub-steppe habitat at Indian Dan Canyon. It’s part of the larger Wells Wildlife area managed by WDFW. Stretch your legs by hiking around Indian Dan Lake or one of many streams, ponds and upland areas.

To get a panoramic view of North Central Washington hills and lowlands, hike up a ridge and soak up the view – and some desert warmth. The open landscape is ideal for spotting swallowtail butterflies, sagebrush lizards, blue and ruffed grouse or even a white-tailed deer.

Stop Five: Conconully State Park

If you want to turn your day trip into an overnight adventure, continue up US 97 to Conconully State Park. It’s about an hour and 15 minutes beyond Indian Dan Canyon. There you’ll find more than 60 campsites and five cozy log cabins. Situated on two lakes, it’s an oasis after miles of dry, shrub-steppe terrain. Or explore this charming park as part of your day trip before heading back to Chelan on US 97.

Mule deer are the must-see wildlife in the spring. Watch for them gazing in the evenings. Enjoy wildlife of the more slimy and scaly variety? Find frogs, toads and turtles along the edge of Conconully Reservoir.

Before you go…
WDFW offers five tips to help you have the best wildlife viewing experience:

• Pack a pen, paper and a camera
• Take photos, notes and drawings of the animals you observe
• Watch wildlife from a distance; get an up-close look using binoculars or your camera’s zoom lens
• Wildlife watching takes patience. Be sure to move slowly and quietly
• The best time to view wildlife is at dawn and dusk
• Animals may be cute, and sometimes appear friendly, but be sure not to feed, touch or approach animals you encounter in the wild
• Download the Wildlife Viewing Map for Highway 97

Have a wildlife viewing adventure story from a state park?
Share your story and photos with us here on Adventure Awaits!

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Photos courtesy of Barek (Feature photo), Ingrid Taylar (Osprey photo), Walter Siegmund (Townsend chipmunk photo), Keaton Wilson (Sagebrush lizard photo) and Steve and Nadine Pavlov (Conconully video).

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Lime Kiln Point State Park

Sunset on May 4 at Lime Kiln Point State Park.

The variegated purples and warm sunset reflections at Lime Kiln Point State Park are as inviting as they are beautiful. We loved this photo by Photographer Jim Stiles of Sultan, Washington so much that it’s our photo of the week! Thanks for posting the image to our Facebook page, Jim!

This is what he said about the photo: “As the sun set over the Salish Sea with the Lime Kiln lighthouse in the foreground I was simply enthralled to witness the changing light over the course of about an hour. This particular moment was the climax of the intense colors reflecting off the thin clouds and the unusually calm waters. What an incredibly exciting moment to witness!”

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On your next state park adventure, check in with Foursquare and share your photos with us on Twitter at the same time.

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Photo by Jim Stiles.

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Fort Casey is a protector of Puget Sound. Fort Casey, together with Fort Worden and Fort Flagler, stand as the Triangle of Fire, guarding the entrance of Puget Sound. The construction of the fort results in the moving of the Red Bluff Lighthouse. In 1903, the new Admiralty Head Lighthouse is complete, acting as a beacon to those traveling through the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Fast forward to today.

Fort Casey State Park is an impressive camping park on Whidbey Island. Admiralty Head Lighthouse is a historic landmark and interpretive center. Four historic guns sit on display, relics of the active years of Fort Casey. The park was incorporated into the Ebey’s Landing Historic Reserve in 1980.

Wonder what gigantic 10-inch guns look like when they fire? The origins of this historic film are somewhat unknown; however, the gun  in the video is nearly identical to the one on display at Fort Casey State Park. It’s possible this footage is from Fort Worden in Port Townsend or another west coast artillery post.

Explore history by checking out one of many history guns on display at Fort Casey State Park.

Gun battery tours

Fort Casey State Park is a great day trip destination for Memorial Day. Explore the gun batteries of Fort Casey State Park with guides from the Fort Casey Volunteer Battalion. You’ll learn all about life at Fort Casey in the 1800s. Their 45-minute tours take you along the bluffs of Admiralty Inlet and inside the impressive concrete batteries. Tours are offered each weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Or explore the batteries on your own while soaking up views of Admiralty Inlet. Either way, it’s a great adventure for kids and adults.

Local history at the Admiralty Head Lighthouse interpretive center

Take a journey through local history at the historic Admiralty Head Lighthouse. Full color panels tell you all about life on Whidbey Island, spanning from the first Native American in the area to the construction of Fort Casey.

Interested in the history of Admiralty Head Lighthouse?
Learn all about Fort Casey before it was a state park.

Have an adventure story from Fort Casey State Park?
Share it with us! We’d love to feature your story and photos.

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Photos courtesy of hj_west (Feature photo), Alex Harden (Snapshot photo) and Chelsea Nesvig (Admiralty Head Lighthouse photo).

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I have lived in Bremerton for most of my life and for some reason never visited Scenic Beach State Park.

I headed out there with my friend Allen and our dogs to get a little sun one early spring day.

The tide was low, and the dogs had a great time sniffing around the rocks and shells on the beach.

Being born Washingtonians, we naturally are sensitive to sunlight.

Al and I tossed a frisbee in the field by Emel house before laying down in the grass for a rest.

We humans had a nice time and the dogs took a nap in the back seat on the pretty drive home.

 -Brandon Herrell
Bremerton, Washington

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Ah, the good old-fashioned camping trip.  Angling for trout on a sunny lake by day; cooking fried fish and toasting marshmallows over a crackling fire by night.  A peaceful sleep under starry skies. No phones. No television. No internet. No crowds.

Does such a retro paradise still exist? It sure does daddy-o!

A retro, lakeside state park your cup of tea? Curlew Lake State Park is the park for you.

Tucked into the narrow folds of a glacier-carved valley, Curlew Lake State Park evokes the camping experience of yesteryear. A 2.5-hour drive outside of Spokane, this 123-acre park is well off the beaten path. Peaceful, quiet and beautiful, Curlew is the perfect place to take a low-tech break from a fast-paced world.

The pristine waters of Curlew Lake are renowned as some of the best in the west for trout and bass fishing. Cast from the shore or bring your boat and go in search of Curlew’s famed tiger muskie – an enormous and prehistoric-looking fish. Then cool off with a dip or a float in the lake’s swimming area with the kids.

Try your hand at catching tiger muskie in Curlew Lake.

Curlew has spots for RV and tent campers alike, all with a lush carpet of grass. Pitch a tent at one of the lakeside sites and you may catch some views of Curlew’s resident eagles fishing in the lake. Heron, osprey, turkey, swan and duck also call the park home.

Once you’ve caught your limit, pack a lunch and take a side trip for some unique and hands-on history lessons. In nearby  Republic, Wash., is Stonerose Fossil Site. Here, for a small fee, you can learn about earth’s ancient origins, then take up chisel and hammer to try your luck at finding a 48-million-year-old fossil . For a little 19^th century history, you can head north along the Kettle River to the Ranald MacDonald’s Grave Site – the smallest state park – to learn about a lesser-known hero of both Japan and the American West. We’ll be featuring more information about Ranald MacDonald’s Grave Site State Park in June!

Curlew’s 82 tent and RV sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. But usually there is at least one or more open, says Park Ranger Ric Sanders.  Plan a trip to Curlew and leave the cares of today’s world behind!

Curlew Lake State Park is known for immaculate green lawns and open skies.

“Curlew is so far away from everything it has to be a ‘destination’ park. You have to really want to be here to get here. But once you arrive, you won’t ever want to leave.”  

- Ric Sanders, Curlew Lake State Park Ranger

Park Hours
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk
Winter: Close Nov. 1, reopens April 1

Camping:
The park offers 57 tent spaces, 25 utility spaces, two primitive sites, one dump station, two restrooms and four showers. All campsites are first come, first served.

Discover Pass:
The Discover Pass must be displayed on your vehicle when visiting Curlew Lake State Park.

Location:
Located 10 miles north of Republic in Ferry County.

Maps:
Want a handy trail map? Download one from the State Parks website.

Heading to Curlew Lake State Park this weekend?
Check in on Foursquare!

Make Curlew Lake State Park your first of many stops in Ferry County!
Check out the Ferry County tourism website for more info on Curlew Lake and area attractions.

Have an adventure story from a state park?
We’d love to feature your story and photos on Adventure Awaits. Submit your story through the Share Your Story portal.

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