More than 100 state parks set to reopen for day use
More than 100 parks and properties are set to reopen next week, Washington State Parks said in a release Saturday.
In line with the first phase of Gov. Jay Inslee’s updated stay-at-home order, which was extended Friday and includes a four-phase approach to reopening the state, State Parks will open 121 areas for day use only, and take steps to ensure visitors continue to practice social distancing to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Locations like Lake Sammamish, Saint Edward in Kenmore and Dash Point in Federal Way will limit available parking to minimize crowds. Restroom availability may also be limited at some parks.
State Parks also asks visitors remain close to home, check the status of parks or trailheads before arriving, bring their own hand-washing supplies, and follow the state’s guidelines for responsible recreation.
There are 24 sites — such as all ocean beach parks and those along the Columbia River Gorge — will remain closed until further notice.
“Parks is working with local communities, natural resource agencies and our partners in Oregon to determine the appropriate timing for reopening these areas,” the release says. “No specific timeline has been identified for opening these park areas.”
State Parks asks visitors to respect closures and only visit parks that have been reopened for use.
Beaches and camping are identified as eligible reopen during the second phase of Inslee’s plan.
Here is a full list of parks and properties reopening Tuesday, as well as a list of those remaining closed:
PARKS REOPENING TUESDAY
Alta Lake
Battle Ground Lake
Bay View
Belfair
Birch Bay
Blake Island
Blind Island
Bottle Beach
Bridgeport
Bridle Trails
Brooks Memorial
Cama Beach
Camano Island
Centennial Trail
Clark Island
Columbia Plateau Trail
Conconully
Curlew Lake
Cutts Island
Dash Point (reduced capacity)
Deception Pass
Doe Island
Dosewallips
Eagle Island
Federation Forest
Fields Spring
Flaming Geyser
Fort Casey
Fort Ebey
Fort Flagler
Fort Townsend
Fort Worden
Ginkgo Petrified Forest
Goldendale Observatory
Griffiths-Priday
Hope Island — Mason
Hope Island — Skagit
Ike Kinswa
Illahee
Jackson House
James Island
Jarrell Cove
Joemma Beach
Jones Island
Joseph Whidbey
Kanaskat-Palmer
Kinney Point
Kitsap Memorial
Kopachuck
Lake Chelan
Lake Easton
Lake Sammamish (reduced capacity)
Lake Sylvia
Lake Wenatchee
Larrabee
Leadbetter Point
Lewis & Clark
Lewis & Clark Trail
Lime Kiln Point
Lincoln Rock
Lyons Ferry
Manchester
Matia Island
McMicken Island
Millersylvania
Moran
Mount Pilchuck
Mount Spokane
Mystery Bay
Nine Mile Recreation Area
Nolte
Obstruction Pass
Olallie
Olmstead Place
Pacific Pines
Palouse Falls
Palouse to Cascades
Paradise Point
Patos Island
Peace Arch
Pearrygin Lake
Penrose Point
Peshastin Pinnacles
Posey Island
Potholes
Potlatch
Rainbow Falls
Rasar
Reed Island
Riverside
Rockport
Sacajawea
Saddlebag Island
Saint Edward (reduced capacity)
Saltwater
Scenic Beach
Schafer
Seaquest
Sequim Bay
Shine Tidelands
Skagit Island
South Whidbey
Spencer Spit
Squak Mountain
Squilchuck
Steamboat Rock
Steptoe Battlefield
Steptoe Butte
Stuart Island
Sucia Island
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls
Tolmie
Triton Cove
Turn Island
Twanoh
Twenty-Five Mile Creek
Wallace Falls
Wanapum Recreation Area
Wenatchee Confluence
Willapa Hills Trail
Yakima Sportsman
PARKS REMAINING CLOSED
Anderson Lake
Beacon Rock
Bogachiel
Cape Disappointment
Camp Wooten
Cedar Falls Trailhead (on Palouse to Cascades Trail)
Columbia Hills (limited fishing access)
Crawford State Park and Gardner Caves
Daroga
Doug’s Beach
Fisk
Fort Columbia
Fort Simcoe
Grayland Beach
Klickitat Trail
Kukutali Preserve
Ocean City
Pacific Beach
Pleasant Harbor
Maryhill (watercraft launch will open)
Spring Creek Hatchery
Twin Harbors
Westport Light
Wallace Falls
This story was originally published May 2, 2020 at 12:46 PM.
