Washington Parks and Recreation Areas with Sightseeing

The Upper Columbia River is rich in cultural and natural significance. For more than 9000 years, people have gathered along the banks of the river to fish and trade with each other. Missionaries and explorers for the Hudson Bay Company and the Northwest Trading Company mapped the area and developed relationships with the tribes, which lived here. In 1941, damming of the Columbia River as part of the Columbia River Basin project created a 130-mile long lake. Named for President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the lake is now the largest recreation feature in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, camping, canoeing and visiting historic Fort Spokane and St. Paul's Mission are highlights of visiting Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.

Phone: 509-633-9441   Price Range: $6 - $10   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Coulee Dam   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: N/A   Activities: Boating and Watercraft, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting and Shooting, Kayaking, Sightseeing, Swimming, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area

Mount Rainier National Park is anticipating an early spring opening this year although a spring snow storm has delayed the original opening date for Chinook & Cayuse Passes. The park remains open with normal winter closures with the following exceptions: Westside and Ricksecker Roads are now open but may close due to snowfall. Due to record low snowfall Paradise snowplay is closed for the season and snowshoe walks are cancelled. THE PARK REMAINS OPEN to snowshoeing, snow boarding and cross-country skiing where snow levels permit.

Phone: 360-569-2211   Price Range: N/A   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Ashford   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Historic Site   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Cross Country Skiing, Downhill Skiing, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Rock Climbing, Sightseeing, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Snowshoeing   Details Provided By: Mount Rainier National Park