In Saint Edward State Park, walks along the undeveloped lake shore are peaceful and give the visitor many opportunities for nature study, including the chance to see bald eagles, otters, and other animals. The park also has two sites suitable for weddings and other special events. (more…)

Washington National and State Parks and Recreation

Washington state has three national park, 186 State Parks,  26 State Recreation Areas, 3 State Forests, 6 State Fish Hatcheries, 1 State Natural Area, 6 State Wildlife Areas, 1 State Wildlife Management Area, 7 National Forests,  2 National Historic Sites, 2 National Historic Parks, 20 National Wildlife Refuges, 3 National Recreation Areas, and 32 wilderness areas.

 

Washington National Parks

Washington State Parks

Washington State Recreation Areas

Washington State Forests

Washington State Fish Hatcheries

Washington State Natural Area

Washington State Wildlife Areas

  • State Wildlife Management Area

Washington National Forests

Washington National Historic Sites

Washington National Historic Parks

Washington National Wildlife Refuges

  • Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge  
  • Hanford Reach National Monument  
  • Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer
  • Jones Island State Park National Wildlife Refuge
  • Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge
  • Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge
  • Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge
  • Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge

Washington National Recreation Areas

Washington Wilderness Areas

There are 32 wilderness areas in the state of Washington.

  • Alpine Lakes Wilderness
  • Boulder River Wilderness
  • The Brothers Wilderness
  • Buckhorn Wilderness
  • Clearwater Wilderness
  • Colonel Bob Wilderness
  • Glacier Peak Wilderness
  • Glacier View Wilderness
  • Goat Rocks Wilderness
  • Henry M. Jackson Wilderness
  • Indian Heaven Wilderness
  • Juniper Dunes Wilderness
  • Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness
  • Mount Adams Wilderness
  • Mount Baker Wilderness
  • Mount Rainier Wilderness
  • Mount Skokomish Wilderness
  • Noisy-Diobsud Wilderness
  • Norse Peak Wilderness
  • Olympic Wilderness
  • Pasayten Wilderness
  • Salmo-Priest Wilderness
  • San Juan Wilderness
  • Stephen Mather Wilderness
  • Tatoosh Wilderness
  • The Enchantments
  • Trapper Creek Wilderness
  • Washington Islands Wilderness
  • Wenaha–Tucannon Wilderness
  • Wild Sky Wilderness
  • William O. Douglas Wilderness
  • Wonder Mountain Wilderness

Article Index:

Five tips for the best techniques for skipping stones

What better way to enjoy a lazy, late summer afternoon than combing the beach for the perfect rock—flat, round, light enough to fly, heavy enough to go the distance. Snap it just so, and watch it leap across the surface. Learn the best techniques and the best Washington lakes to do it on here.

Saint Edward State Park

In Saint Edward State Park, walks along the undeveloped lake shore are peaceful and give the visitor many opportunities for nature study, including the chance to see bald eagles, otters, and other animals. The park also has two sites suitable for weddings and other special events.

Winter is a great time to bird watch at state parks in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca

Winter is a great time to break out the binoculars and check out the bird action at state parks in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Many Washington state parks are a sanctuary for migratory and year-round bird populations. Cold, clear days on the Olympic Peninsula draw all kinds of fowl to the water. So gather your camera and binoculars and let’s shake a tailfeather!