Rockport State Park

One of the most beautiful forests can be found in the Rockport State Park that is situated snugly in the northern part of Washington. For many, the park offers extensive hiking trails, beautiful birdwatching areas, and a scenic view like no other. The park also consists of a magnificent ancient forest that is full of old-growth and spectacular greenery. The forest is full of tall firs, cedar trees, and dogwoods that bloom gorgeously in the spring. The forest canopy is so dense that even bright rays of sunlight can not penetrate through the thick brush. The forest itself is about six hundred and seventy acres. The greenery and trees have never been logged and so they have been left in their most natural form. The park also sits at the bottom of Sauk Mountain.

<b>History</b>
Rockport State Park was officially opened in 1961. The name of the park comes from the town that it is actually in. Hikers and campers can often be found wandering the extensive trails of the park, happily shaded under the century-old trees. The forest spans about six hundred acres and is the park’s main attraction. The greenery has never been logged, so the forest is quite literally in its natural form.

Kopachuck State Park

Kopachuck State Park sits 45 Miles south of Seattle, 30 miles south of Bremerton and 45 miles North of Olympia. It’s a ten-minute drive west of the town of Gig Harbor, but as its address reveals, it actually is within Gig Harbor’s borders; Kopachuck State Park, 11101 56th Street, N.W. Gig Harbor, Washington State. Its phone number is 253-265-3606.

Kopachuck is a 109-acre marine and camping park, shaded by tall Douglas fir trees, with 5,600 feet of saltwater shoreline running along Henderson Bay. The park’s 1,500 foot sandy beach draws most visitors, offering activities like wading, building sand castles and exploring the marine habitat. Children and grownups will be amazed at the huge Dungeness crabs, sea stars, and sand dollars on the beach. There’s also salt-water swimming, relaxing on the sand, crabbing, clamming, and digging for oysters.

Mystery Bay State Park

The state of Washington has 149 state parks, and one of the smaller ones in the state is Mystery Bay State Park on the west side of Marrowstone Island in Jefferson County off the Olympic peninsula. The island is northwest of Seattle near Stanwood, and the contact address for the park is: 10541 Flagler Road, Nordland, Washington, 98358.

During the prohibition era, bringing liquor by boat through the remote northwest Washington waters of Puget Sound from Canada to the island became a lucrative business for smugglers. One of their favorite hiding spots was Kilisut Harbor, located between Indian Islands and Marrowstone, where they could evade Coast Guard boats. A small bay close to the end of the harbor had trees that hung over the water making it easy to hide their boats there. The Coast Guard classed their usual disappearance as mysterious, so the cove became known as Mystery Bay.

Grayland Beach State Park

Grayland Beach State Park, located in Washington, is an ocean-front park with many things to do. Whether you want to visit for a day or enjoy the camping facilities, this beautiful park has accommodations for your group. The 412 acres of the park’s great Washington scenery are open all year, and there is no shortage of things to do.

If you’re interested in camping, the park offers yurts, cabins, and platform tents for rent. The yurts are extremely comfortable, featuring a queen-sized futon, three tiered bunk beds, a table with a lamp, and a heater to keep the cold winter nights at bay. Outside, you’ll find a picnic table, deck, and fire grill. Each yurt is in a private area, with natural foliage around to separate your campsite from any others. If you’re not willing to sacrifice comfort in order to spend a night in one of the country’s most beautiful state parks, renting a yurt is one of your best options. And the best part is that all campsites are within walking distance to the ocean.

Ike Kinswa State Park

Tucked away in southwest Washington State, Ike Kinswa State Park is a quintessential haven offering big recreation opportunities in a relatively small package. Lush forest, cool waters, and soft sandy beaches await in this year-round outdoor play land. Located 60 miles south of Olympia, Washington, Ike Kinswa State Park is set at the confluence of the Tilton and Cowlitz Rivers which are fed by many tributaries flowing from sources such as Mt. Rainier and Mount St. Helens.

Developed campsites nestled in the woods have a special feel, with water, bathrooms, and showers located nearby. If electricity and water in the campsite is desired, 31 sites are available for campers and recreational vehicles, with an additional 41 sites having full hookup capabilities. A dump station is available year-round, and is included in the fee for campers. For the more serious at heart, primitive campsites are also possible. If camping just isn’t your cup of tea, five cabins are located in the park to enhance your experience. Campsite and cabin reservations are recommended of course, and can be made online by visiting https://secure.camis.com/WA/IkeKinswaStatePark or by calling 1-888-CAMP-OUT (1-888-226-7688) to speak with a reservation agent.