The pandemic has created great interest in the outdoors. Camping gear and RV sales are booming, and campsites are filling up. Many first-time campers are heading to campgrounds as a way to get out of the house while still practicing social distancing.

We have some helpful tips for first-time (and returning) visitors to make the most of your camping or cabin experience at Washington’s state parks.

Read our Adventure Awaits blog to learn more about how you can best prepare for your next outdoor adventure.

Check out these upcoming virtual spring events organized by our Folk & Traditional Arts Program:

Spring Festival
May 22
Noon – 3 p.m.
Streaming live

Spring Festival will highlight the significance of spring from a handful of the many diverse cultures in our state. This virtual cultural festival is free and family friendly. Learn more in our Adventure Awaits blog.

Roots in the Park
A virtual series featuring performances, demonstrations, and interviews featuring Squirrel Butter, Briar, Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons, and Neftalí Rivera & Trio Borikuas. Check the Folk and Traditional Arts Program online to learn more.

Sundaes Outside
Presented by Golden Bricks Events, a series of monthly virtual programs May-October with a diverse set of Black guests and performers including youth, young adults and elders, Black-owned vendors, artists, non-profits and businesses. All episodes include real-time captioning and live ASL interpreters. Visit our website for more information.           

And more about Mount St. Helens…
The Mount St. Helens Visitor Center in Castle Rock is currently closed due to an exciting renovation project. However, on Fridays through Sundays now and daily during summer, parks interpretive staff from the visitor center will have information about the area’s natural history and tips on getting the most out of your visit. Stop by and say hello!

The interpretive team also just produced a video about the anniversary of the eruption. Watch it here. In addition, they created a three-part series called the “Motion of the Mountain.” You can find those on our #RangerTube YouTube channel here.

Photo: Leah Garner and Alysa Adams, interpretive specialists at Mount St. Helens Visitor Center.

From the iconic Cascade volcanoes to the glacial flood-scoured landscape of eastern Washington, from the sea stacks of the Olympic Peninsula to the rolling hills of the Palouse, our state has a rich geologic history. Every year, millions of people visit Washington to enjoy these beautiful landscapes. Yet many visitors are unfamiliar with the geologic stories these places tell.

Now, you can gain a deeper understanding of Washington’s geologic origins through Washington 100, a website that unravels the epic geologic stories of 100 publicly accessible sites in Washington — including many Washington state parks!

Some of these lands are well known, while others are more secluded. With cool stories, fun facts and thousands of photos, graphics, animations, videos and maps, the new website is sure to educate as much as fascinate. Whether you're still trying to decide on your next weekend adventure, or you already have a destination in mind, the Washington 100 website will provide a new perspective as you explore our state’s most spectacular places.