6 Best State Parks in Washington

The Keylock Team | October 19, 2021 @ 12:00 AM

Washington has a plethora of state parks, over 150 in all, so you could spend years going from one to another. They feature hiking, boating, swimming, bird watching, camping, and a lot more. 

We have six recommendations to get you started. 

 

Riverside State Park

Near Mead, we have the scenic Riverside State Park, the largest state park in Washington. Here, you can go boating, walk 55 miles of trails, go horseback riding, bird watching, mountain biking, and rock climbing, learn local history, and camp overnight. The park is also nine miles from Spokane, so if you want to enjoy city amenities during your trip, you can.

There’s even an Equestrian campground for horse lovers, which includes a large pen and an obstacle course. There are 600 acres of terrain set aside for off-road driving. If you enjoy boating, water sports, and fishing, that’s great. The park includes Lake Spokane.

 

Mount Spokane State Park

A 12,293-acre park, Mount Spokane State Park has so much to offer, especially during the winter. In the Mead and Spokane area, this is a perfect destination for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, with both Alpine and Nordic ski experiences.

The park is in the pine forest of the Selkirk Mountains and has beautiful views of Canada and the Spokane Valley. In addition to winter activities, visitors can enjoy 100 miles of hiking trails, 90 miles of cycling trails, and 100 miles of horse riding trails. It’s a wonderful place to spot wildlife like mule deer, elk, black bears, white-tailed dear, bobcats, and more. If you enjoy bird watching, look for bald eagles, golden eagles, and osprey.

Visit for the day, or spend several nights camping in a tent or your RV.

 

Cape Disappointment State Park

There are parks in Washington with some oddball names, and Cape Disappointment State Park tops that list. Of course, there’s a historic reason for the strange name. In 1788, Captain John Meares attempted to cross the river bar and failed. The site’s history gets even more interesting from there. Famous explorers Lewis and Clark arrived here in 1805. During the Civil War, the Union established a base here to protect the Columbia River from Confederates.

There’s much to do here, including hiking, boating, visiting the two lighthouses, and exploring the old military bunkers and historic homes still in the park. Stay at a campsite in your RV, rent a cabin or yurt, or bring a tent. 

While you’re here, visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center to learn more about the park’s fascinating history.

 

Beacon Rock State Park

Rock climbing, waterfalls, tall pines, and the 848-foot tall central Beacon Rock characterize Beacon Rock State Park. This is an expansive park at 4,458 acres with incredible views everywhere.

You can even hike to the top of Beacon Rock along a mile-long switchback trail. At the top, you’ll find breathtaking views of the forest and the Columbia River Gorge. Other activities include checking out the waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls, biking, hiking, horseback riding, and, of course, camping. Plus, the park is also close to Portland, Oregon, so if you want to visit the city, you can.

 

Dash Point State Park

The Seattle area features Dash Point State Park, a fun place for water lovers, with boating, kayaking, skimboarding, swimming, and saltwater fishing on Poverty Bay. You’ll find sandy shores and tide pools, look for crabs and starfish, watch the various birds, and study the plants.

Naturally, there’s much more to do here, particularly in the forest, including camping, hiking, kite flying, and biking.

There are 114 standard campsites, 27 RV campsites, and a dump station, plus heated cabins.

Dash Point State Park is easy to reach off I-5.

 

Deception Pass State Park

Deception Pass State Park is another site with a curious name. Why call a pass “deception?” British naval officer Captain George Vancouver gave it this name because when exploring the area and Whidbey Island, he thought he had found a peninsula. The park rests on two islands, Fidalgo and Whidbey, with two bridges joining them.

 

If you enjoy hiking, horse riding, or biking, you’re in luck. The park has just over a mile of ADA hiking trails, three miles of bike trails, six miles of horse trails, and 38 miles of standard hiking trails. If you prefer water activities, you can go boating, diving, fishing, swimming, crabbing, and more. Watch birds, explore the beach, play horseshoe, check out the local wildlife, and more.

 

If you enjoy camping and need a place to store your boat or RV, look no further than Keylock Storage. We feature car, boat, and RV spaces and x-large units that are big enough to store your vehicles indoors in Mead and Pasco, Washington.