Park events light up the year's shortest days

Winter weather doesn?t mean the outdoor cheer has to stop! Several of our parks will host fun, family festivities throughout December and January.

Bundle up, come on out and play!

Dec. 17 and Jan. 7, 10 a.m., Bird Walk with Whidbey Audubon Society, Deception Pass State Park, West Beach.

Dec. 23 and 30, Jan. 1, 6, 8 and 20, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Guided snowshoe hike, Easton Reload Sno-Park. Register in advance at the QR Code below.?Sno-Park permit required.

Jan. 1, 10 a.m., Polar Plunge at Maryhill State Park. $15 donation suggested.

Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Hoypus Old-Growth Forest Walk, Deception Pass State Park. Register in advance:?[email protected]

Looking for holiday gifts and plans? We can help!

Last-minute gift ideas

Happy Holidays, from our crew to yours!

This year, we hope you?ll join us in giving the gift of the great outdoors. Grab a Discover Pass or e-gift cards ? they are the perfect presents or stocking stuffers for those looking to declutter their holidays by gifting memories and experiences.

A Discover Pass provides access to thousands of acres of public lands managed by Parks, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. That means you?re gifting opportunities to hike, camp, fish, hunt, swim, paddle, ski, sled, climb, gather ? and so much more.

An e-gift card can be used to book camping, cabins and yurts in more than 100 parks across the state, and to buy swag from our online store. Our e-gift cards can also be reloaded and registered to your reservations account ? it?s a gift that keeps on giving. Check out this video for fun ways to gift an e-gift card.

Ring in the New Year with State Parks

Celebrate 2023 with a First Day Hike Saturday, Jan. 1!

Start the new year with a guided hike, snowshoe excursion or bike ride at one of 40+ parks.

First Day Hikes range in difficulty from paved, flat, ADA-accessible trails to moderate hill climbs. A few parks host more than one hike, with options tailored to different interests and abilities. Additionally, several hikes include fun, educational talks, as rangers share their park?s history and natural features.

When you?re done with your hike, pick up your free, collectible Washington State Parks 2023 First Day Hikes pin!

Most First Day Hikes require advanced registration, and group sizes may be limited. Visit our website to view all activities and registration information.

Jan. 1 is a free day, so you won?t need a Discover Pass to park. You?ll need a Sno-Park permit at Sno-Parks.

Fall in love with new Sno-Park features: The winter months offer an opportunity to explore new hobbies and new locations. With more than 130 Sno-Parks in our state, there?s something for everyone. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Ice skating your thing? The Nason Ridge Sno-Park will open the volunteer-run Kahler Glen Ice Rink. Located 25 minutes from Leavenworth and about a mile from Lake Wenatchee State Park, the ice rink offers a unique venue for winter recreation. The ice rink has free rentals of ice skates, balance assisting devices and hockey sticks, all provided by donations. ? Looking for backcountry skiing or snowshoeing? A new Sno-Park has opened at Annette Lake off I-90, just west of Snoqualmie Pass. The Sno-Park offers a restroom, parking for 40+ cars and access to ungroomed trails and backcountry skiing.

New to winter recreation? Easton Reload Sno-Park, just east of Snoqualmie Pass, will host guided snowshoe adventures this winter. Tours are beginner level and open to all ages. Just remember to wear winter boots! Register at the QR code at right. Quick reminder that Sno-Park Permits are required to park at all Sno-Parks during the winter season. Buy permits online or through a licensed vendor.

Join the State Parks PEAR Team!?

Are you interested in equity, diversity and inclusion work and taking proactive steps to making Washington a Pro-Equity Anti-Racism state? If so, please consider joining the State Parks PEAR Team.? What is a PEAR Team??? Like other state agencies, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is establishing a Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) Team and developing a Pro-Equity Anti-Racism Plan. The PEAR Team will be composed of internal agency staff and external community members and partners dedicated to advancing DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) across the State Parks agency.? Want to get involved? Submit your?PEAR interest form by February 3.

Don't turn a cold shoulder to snow camping!?

Our newest blog post will help you warm up to winter tent camping, RVing and warming hut options.?

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