State parks switch to winter schedules

State parks have begun the transition to a winter operations schedule, meaning the closure of some campgrounds and facilities while more than 60 parks remain open seven days a week.

The State Parks and Recreation Commission has chosen parks to remain open that maintain services within the current operating budget and provide a geographic balance of visitor services during the winter months.

In addition to the more than 60 parks that are remaining open seven days a week, 22 parks are closed until dates in March through May, 23 parks have partial openings and four parks will remain open during the winter on weekends and holidays only.

Even with the arrival of rain and colder temperatures, winter is a good time to camp at state parks. You also can spend the night in a cozy and comfortable cabin at Camano Island, Cama Beach, Ike Kinswa, Kitsap Memorial or Rasar state parks, a yurt at Battle Ground Lake, Pacific Beach or Seaquest, or a vacation house at Millersylvania, Dosewallips, Riverside or Moran. These facilities can be reserved year-round.

State parks that accept year-round camping reservations are Cape Disappointment, Deception Pass, Dosewallips, Grayland Beach, Ike Kinswa, Kitsap Memorial, Ocean City and Pacific Beach. For a list of parks with extended reservation dates, visit parks.wa.gov, and select reservations.

Reservations may be made online at parks.wa.gov or by calling 888-226-7688. Reservations for Fort Worden and Fort Townsend state parks may be made by calling 360-344-4400.

South Sound state parks

Here is a status update on some popular state parks popular with South Sound residents:

Belfair: The campground’s main and beach loops are open; however, water and sewer may not be available due to possible freezing of the water and sewer systems. Water is available from the winter water supply near the trailer dump.

Dash Point: Campsites 52-69 and 120-124 are open. All other campsites will reopen May 15. The day-use area will have periodic closures during the winter.

Federation Forest: The interpretive center and day-use area is closed through March 31. The day-use area is scheduled to reopen April 1, if snow allows.

Grayland Beach: The campground and yurts are available year-round for reservations.

Joemma Beach: The dock will be removed mid-October and reinstalled in mid-May.

Lake Sylvia: The campground is open, but group camp (G1) and four walk-in campsites (P3-P6) are closed until April 1.

Millersylvania: The campground is partially open through April 15.

Penrose Point: Only campsites 1-21 are open through May 15. No shower facilities are available. Moorage is available year-round.

Tolmie: The day-use area open is Wednesdays-Sundays through April 15.

Twanoh: The campground is open, but the upper campground restroom is closed and there is no water at individual campsites during the winter.

The winter schedule for all parks is available online at parks.wa.gov/parkschedule.