There are 124 state parks in Washington, and each year, they see a collective 40 million visitors. But while many people flock to our more popular parks, such as Deception Pass, there are plenty of local gems that stay largely uncrowded for most of the year.
We’re not suggesting you won’t see other people at these spots… 40 million visitors is a lot, and our state parks are all fairly well known. But if you prefer to enjoy nature and avoid large crowds, this road trip is for you.
Google Maps
- Squak Mountain State Park, Issaquah
Management / TripAdvisor Squak Mountain State Park Natural Area, 201430 SE May Valley Rd, Issaquah, WA 98027, USA
Jeremy Heckt / Google Squak Mountain State Park is situated between Cougar Mountain to the west and Tiger Mountain to the east. The park boasts 13 miles of hiking trails with stunning views, but it’s less popular than the recreation areas that surround it. The initial land grant of 590 acres to form the park was made by the Bullitt family, and the park still contains the remains of the family home—but at this point, that’s just a foundation and a fireplace.
- Kopachuck State Park, Gig Harbor
Pierre C / Google Kopachuck State Park, 56th Street Northwest, Gig Harbor, WA, USA
John Markanzi / Google Next, head to Kopachuck State Park, a day-use marine park with over a mile of saltwater shoreline on Henderson Bay. This is the perfect place to catch a sunset if the stars align, but no matter what time of day you go, you’ll love the peaceful beach walk.
- Twanoh State Park, Union
KimBOO7 / TripAdvisor Twanoh State Park, 12190 WA-106, Union, WA 98592, USA
James K / TripAdvisor Twanoh State Park is probably the most well-known park on this list. Much like the others on Hood Canal, like Belfair State Park, it’s a popular place for saltwater swimming in the summer. But this spot does tend to attract fewer crowds, even for oyster and crab harvesting, which the area is known for.
- Lake Sylvia State Park, Montesano
coastlinevideo / TripAdvisor Lake Sylvia State Park, 1812 Lake Sylvia Rd N, Montesano, WA 98563, USA
Mackenzie D This park is a former logging camp that sits above the historic town of Montesano. While the locals love to fish and swim in the lake all summer, it doesn’t attract too many visitors from out of the area.
- Millersylvania State Park, Olympia
Scott Houston / Google Millersylvania State Park, 12245 Tilley Rd SW, Olympia, WA 98512, USA
Nanik Trickey / Google End your state park adventure at Millersylvania State Park, which sits of the shores of Deep Lake near Olympia. Between the old-growth cedar and fir trees as well as 3,300 feet of freshwater shoreline, this is the perfect place to spend time in nature.
Which state parks would you add to this road trip route?
Google Maps
Management / TripAdvisor
Squak Mountain State Park Natural Area, 201430 SE May Valley Rd, Issaquah, WA 98027, USA
Jeremy Heckt / Google
Squak Mountain State Park is situated between Cougar Mountain to the west and Tiger Mountain to the east. The park boasts 13 miles of hiking trails with stunning views, but it’s less popular than the recreation areas that surround it. The initial land grant of 590 acres to form the park was made by the Bullitt family, and the park still contains the remains of the family home—but at this point, that’s just a foundation and a fireplace.
Pierre C / Google
Kopachuck State Park, 56th Street Northwest, Gig Harbor, WA, USA
John Markanzi / Google
Next, head to Kopachuck State Park, a day-use marine park with over a mile of saltwater shoreline on Henderson Bay. This is the perfect place to catch a sunset if the stars align, but no matter what time of day you go, you’ll love the peaceful beach walk.
KimBOO7 / TripAdvisor
Twanoh State Park, 12190 WA-106, Union, WA 98592, USA
James K / TripAdvisor
Twanoh State Park is probably the most well-known park on this list. Much like the others on Hood Canal, like Belfair State Park, it’s a popular place for saltwater swimming in the summer. But this spot does tend to attract fewer crowds, even for oyster and crab harvesting, which the area is known for.
coastlinevideo / TripAdvisor
Lake Sylvia State Park, 1812 Lake Sylvia Rd N, Montesano, WA 98563, USA
Mackenzie D
This park is a former logging camp that sits above the historic town of Montesano. While the locals love to fish and swim in the lake all summer, it doesn’t attract too many visitors from out of the area.
Scott Houston / Google
Millersylvania State Park, 12245 Tilley Rd SW, Olympia, WA 98512, USA
Nanik Trickey / Google
End your state park adventure at Millersylvania State Park, which sits of the shores of Deep Lake near Olympia. Between the old-growth cedar and fir trees as well as 3,300 feet of freshwater shoreline, this is the perfect place to spend time in nature.
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