Spring is here, but wallets stuffed with cash are not. Yet there are still plenty of places to go for people who are trying to save a few bucks. Here are a few suggestions.

Hike the Nisqually National Refuge one last time

Time is running out on the famous 5.5-mile Brown Farm Dike Trail, which makes a big ring around most of the refuge. Most refuge trails will close April 24 as some are scheduled for demolition as the refuge restores 762 acres of farmland to saltwater marsh. Returning most of the refuge to marsh means tearing down part of the trail, which runs along the massive earthen dike that keeps Puget Sound off the land.

This is the last spring to hike the trail. Eventually, a new boardwalk trail will take refuge visitors out onto the sprawling, restored marsh. The refuge is planning a trail appreciation day on April 18.

Time: The Browns Farm Dike Trail is pancake flat and an easy hike, but plan on taking about four hours. There are a lot of birds and wildlife to see.

Cost: $3 per person or family.

Information: 360-753-9467, www.fws.gov/nisqually.

Pitch a tent and spend a quiet night at Lake Sylvia State Park

State budget cuts may shut down this gorgeous camping park in the hills above Montesano. The lakeside campsites are beautiful chunks of Northwest paradise, and campers are just feet from the water. The 233-acre park also offers hiking trails, fishing in season and peace and quiet. Human penguins can swim at the beach, but the water is cold during the spring.

The campground opened Wednesday and closes Sept. 30. There are 35 standard campsites, six camps for hikers or cyclists and one group camp. Reservations are a good idea and are available by phone or online. Two of the three restrooms feature showers.

Cost: A standard campsite is $21 a night.

Information: 1-888-226-7688, www.parks.wa.gov.

Go beach camping and dig razor clams

Beachfront rooms on the Washington Coast are expensive – unless you book a stay in a yurt at Grayland Beach State Park near Westport. The yurts – sturdy, wood-framed tents with electric heat and lights, futons, a covered porch and a fire pit – are a short walk from bathrooms with showers and beautiful Grayland Beach.

Cost: A yurt sleeps five in comfort, and is a deal at $45 a night. The park also offers full-hookup campsites at $26 a night, and tent sites are $14 a night. A three-minute-long hot shower is 50 cents.

To do: Grayland Beach is great for surfing – wear a full wet suit – fishing, beachcombing, kite flying, bonfire burning and clam digging in season.

Grayland Beach is a great place to stay during the world-famous Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival, which runs April 24-26.

Millions of shorebirds poke around Grays Harbor beaches and marshes during the spring, and the festival offers birding trips and seminars.

For festival information, call 1-800-303-8498 or visit www.shorebirdfestival.com.

Morning razor clam seasons are scheduled for April 10-12 and April 25-27. For up-to-date information on clam seasons, visit wdfw.wa.gov.

This is one of the top clamming beaches on the coast, so it’s a good idea to make campsite or yurt reservations.

Information/reservations: 1-888-226-7688, www.parks.wa.gov.

There's no fun like snow fun at Mount Rainier

Spring snow at Mount Rainier is wonderful, especially on a sunny spring day. Drive to Paradise on ice-free roads, chuck snowballs, cross-country ski or snowshoe in the sunshine and then enjoy the drive home. The drive from Longmire to Paradise is jaw-dropping beautiful.

To do: Some visitors ski and snowboard near Paradise, but avalanches are a constant danger. There is a safe snow play area at Paradise, but no hard toboggans or sleds with metal runners are allowed. Inner tubes are very popular here.

Visitor center: The brand-new Jackson Visitor Center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends during April. For more information, including Paradise weather conditions, call 1-360-569-6036.

Roads: The road from Longmire to Paradise suffered slide damage in January. The road is usually open – weather permitting – on weekends, holidays and some weekdays.

Cost: Visitors must pay $15 for each vehicle, but the pass is good for seven days.

Staying at the National Park Inn at Longmire is fun but will add to the cost of the trip. All park campgrounds are closed in April. TParadise Inn is usually open from May through September.

Information: www.nps.gov/mora, 360-569-2211 for daily road reports. Inn reservations and information: 360-569-2275.

Go fishing in a year-round lake

The lowland lake trout season opens April 25, but many South Sound lakes stay open all year.

To do: Spring break – especially on a sunny day – screams for fishing. Anglers can find open water – and trout – at Black Lake, Chambers Lake and Lawrence Lake in Thurston County. Longs Pond, in Lacey’s Woodland Creek Park, is open to anglers 14 years old and younger, although adults can help the kids fish. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is planting 1,500 10-inch-long trout and 250 1-pound trout this week. Longs Pond will get additional trout plants in May and June.

In Pierce County, American Lake, Alder Lake, Harts Lake, Kapowsin Lake and Spanaway Lake are good all-year options. Fishing for trout, bass and panfish should be good in these lakes during the spring.

Cost: Everyone 15 and older must have a fishing license. Tackle, lures and bait vary in price.

Information: wdfw.wa.gov.