This park is AWESOME! Nice views and the beach is rocky, not very sandy, if you prefer that.read more

What a nice little chill park! The beach is rocky and not sandy. Nice views. It's a good chill…read morespot.

As you go deep into the Olympic National Park you get to Hoh Rain Forest Visitors Center. This is a…read moregreat place to visit with children because you can take some easy but beautiful trails here. If you want to hike 17.5 miles then you'd love Blue Glacier trail but if you only have one day to explore this park there are a few easy loops which you can take with your children. We hiked two very short hikes. The Hall of Mosses trail is only 0.8 miles and the Spruce Nature trail is 1.2 miles long. The Hall of Mosses will take you into a Northern Rainforest where you see all the moss hanging off the trees and the vegetation is dense here. The other loop (Spruce Nature trail) shows you different parts of the canyon. It takes you off the Hoh River so you can see all the natures elements that make up this beautiful place. Hoh gets as much as 14 feet of rain a year and due to fog and mist it is like it receives another 30 feet of rain. The conditions are just right for moss to grow and flourish. The best time to visit Hoh Rain Forest is April or May.

This is the biggest national forest I've ever visited! There are many ways to get in, but one thing…read moreis for sure..do not follow this Yelp address. It will only take you to the headquarters. The forest is an hour away from this building. You can type in the name into any map and choose one of the entrances. The way we went was through a back road passing several homes in the flat valley that's surrounded by mountains and woods. It will lead you to the welcome sign, then you'll pass a camp ground. There are less people going this way, so the hikes might only have 1/2 a dozen people on it. You will see many trails options, and they will all be gorgeous! The Skokomish Lower South Fork Trail is a great one. It has a very small gravel parking area, and it is a 6 mile hike in total. You'll go in 3 miles to Brown Creek, and then back 3 miles. I would say it's a semi strenuous hike. There's some down hill, and uphill, but mostly its level. Bring plenty of water, SPF, and snacks. Also stop at the restroom just before heading up the gravel road to the beginning of the trail. You'll pass a few little ice cold babbling brooks that will be very easy to walk across without getting your feet wet.

Brought my family for a little outdoor time and we were impressed how well maintained the park is…read more The trails are great and easy that my toddler loved it. There's also a playground for kids to entertained themselves and plenty of room to run around. Definitely would love to come back again, but this time bring some lunch for us and enjoy views.

I drive into this park on a whim last weekend and think I've found a gem hidden in Olympia,…read moreliterally minutes from downtown. Straddling Boston Harbor Road, the park has a bridge that connects both sides of the sprawling property. On the East side of the park, you immediately feel like you've driven into a forest. Big and old trees line the park roadway. Several picnic areas are available, I assume by reservation, at least for the covered areas. I found a restroom building and took advantage. This place is well maintained. More picnic areas. Nd two more restroom buildings are on the West side of the park, and so is the Sound. Lots more parking, and a kids playground. Squaxin has something for everyone. Lots of hiking paths on both sides of the park that are now on my to do list. Squaxin is an oasis in Olympia!

Just went yesterday with my good friend. The salmon were out and around entertaining us on the…read moreDeschutes River. They're big and laying lots of eggs for those of us that love those fish. Now I won't get lost again. Enjoying the friendly people and their dogs, have fun.

We were at the lower park playground it was nice and clean…read moreWords words all ljgdssdgjlkgfds

This park is one of my favorites! I discovered this years ago and try to go whenever I can…read more Beautiful and serene.

If you walk across the street from the parking lot to Karen Fraser Woodland Trail, turn left and to…read morethe right of you is a trail. Go down that trail and you'll be heading down a path that at first overlooks the freeway, but then veers left and is a woodland wonderland. Took the pups here and I keep them on leash because I'm always worried about coyotes or my dog getting triggered by a squirrel and running off path where I can't get to him. As you walk you'll see gorgeous change of colors in the fall, sparse trees in the winter, and beautiful green in the summer. I hate hiking, but for these views, I can forego that hate. The trail is a two mile loop either way which I haven't done yet, but can't wait to try when the weather gets better.

Such a beautiful trail! I have lived in the area forever and never knew about this gem of a trail!…read moreIt's a great place to walk and ride bikes because it's paved. We take our baby there for some afternoon strolls. Its nice be cause some parts are shaded and others are bright and sunny. The trail is located on the way to Evergreen College right off of the main road. I have driven by this trail a thousand times and I'm so sad I never knew about it. I love reading all the plaques explaining the different parts of the trail and when the trees were planted. If you're in the Olympia area it's a great place to go for a walk with your family.

I have several favorite walks in Olympia including Capital Lake, Watershed Park, and Darlin Creek…read moreNature preserve. Each has its charms, but I keep coming back to McLane more often than any other. I like that there are always people there, yet it never feels crowded. Two loop trails joined by a connecting path provide plenty of options depending on your energy level and time limitations. There are several water features, and plenty of waterfowl to view. Much evidence of beavers, yet oddly I've never seen one. Dogs are allowed and honestly these are the politest dog owners around as I've never felt menaced as I have at some other locations. There is a pet waste collection bin, and people seem to use it. A rest room is provided, as well as a small covered picnic area near the larger parking area. Be sure to bring your Discover Pass as it's required for parking. If you don't have one, there are a couple of wide spots along Delphi Road where you could park.

This is a very easily walkable 1.1 mile trail that leads to a spawning ground for wild chum salmon…read more The trail is very well marked and level. I visited during mid December, so there were still a handful of salmon making their way upstream and spawning in the gravel beds. There's a little footbridge spanning over the stream and so you can get a good look at the fish swimming without being tempted to wade into the water itself (which is highly, highly discouraged since it's very easy to crush fish eggs and disrupt the migration). I would describe this as a multisensory experience as you can see the fish, hear them splashing in the water...and smell the dead fish. I wouldn't advise going if you have a sensitive nose! This was a cool experience otherwise.

An amazing State Park! There is everything available for a great gateway and all for a reasonable…read moreprice. Mother Nature is at her best in this park.

We recently visited for one night. We stayed in one of the few open spots, right near the front of…read morethe campground. The only sections open for winter were the small section we stayed in and the open field area. Unfortunately for us, the sections closed for the season were the prettiest...much more treed and private feeling there. We enjoyed one hike, the boardwalk-old growth-orchard sections and back to the campground. Apparently there is some damage to parts of the trail system here, but those we took were in good shape, just a bit muddy. Although we didn't get around to the lake, it looked gorgeous when we passed by driving in. Aside from the site across from ours after the teens left that morning, the grounds were all very clean. Pretty area and park...although I probably would only return if I could stay in the closed sections. :)

Such a beautiful and scenic day. Walking on the trails was a cool experience. So many beautiful…read moretrees, birds, and more to see. It's a $3 fee. Definitely worth it. There are porta-potties by the barns. And there's a restroom at the visitor center. The visitor center is a must. Definitely walk inside check out the little museum they have and buy some books, shirts and more. If you bring lunch, you can eat it by the barns. There are a few picnic tables and a grass area as well. So many spots to take family photos. It was a good experience. My family and I spent a lot of time exploring.

The Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is incredible! The best $3 (cash deposit) I…read morehave ever spent! Over 3 hrs of birdwatching, deer sighting, eagle watching, heron mating dances, moss, frogs, snakes, and more. The brackish water and estuary allow for diverse life cycles across fresh to salty habitats. The boardwalk is well maintained, gravel moving into wooden slits. Incredible! Highly recommend. Big parking lot, fairly busy on a Monday in March.

A very nice relaxing trail down to the water, that has more than one trail to choose, coming up or…read moredown. Haven't came across any rude people on the trails or beach, everyone is always respectful of each other's space. Bathrooms are not always clean, but I don't go to experience that.

Great park with trails through second-growth woods, a tiny bit of elevation change, picnic…read moreshelters, a flower garden, a beach, and most importantly, toilets. Love going here with the family for a bit of fresh air and some rock hunting.