A wooden picnic table under pines on the shore of a calm lake

Plan Your Visit

Millersylvania State Park is an easy day trip or weekend from Olympia: about 20 minutes south, open from 6:30 a.m. in summer (8 a.m. in winter) until dusk, with a Discover Pass for parking. Come for the two swimming beaches and calm paddling on Deep Lake, 8.6 miles of trails through old-growth forest, and camping under the firs. Summer adds boat rentals, a taphouse and espresso.

At a Glance

Your Visit at a Glance

Address12245 Tilley Road S, Olympia, WA 98512

Hours6:30 a.m. (summer) or 8 a.m. (winter) to dusk

ParkingDiscover Pass, $10 a day

Best forSwimming, paddling, camping, forest walks

Summer extrasRentals, taphouse, espresso (late May to Labor Day)

Park office(360) 753-1519

Reservations(888) 226-7688

Before You Go

Get a Discover Pass: $10 a day or $45 a year, or buy one at the park's pay stations. See Discover Pass.
Check the hours: the park opens at 6:30 a.m. from April to September and 8 a.m. from October to March, and closes at dusk. See hours.
Check alerts: burn bans and trail closures are posted on the agency's park page.
Download the maps: see the trail map.

A Summer Day at Millersylvania

Morning: walk Old Growth Lane or the Perimeter Trail before it warms up. See hiking.
Midday: swim at one of the two beaches, or rent a kayak or paddleboard at the launch. See swimming and boating.
Afternoon: fish from the dock, or picnic at a CCC-built kitchen shelter. See fishing.
Before you leave: a cold drink at Lakeside Taphouse. See food and drink.

In Fall, Winter and Spring

The day-use area and the launch stay open all year, and some campsites stay open through winter. The concessions close after Labor Day, so bring food and coffee. Water is shut off in most of the park from about November 1 to March 31.

A travel trailer, picnic table and canopy at a campsite under tall pines

Picnics and Group Events

The park has four kitchen shelters with electricity, about 125 open picnic tables and 30 covered ones, an amphitheater, three fire circles and two horseshoe pits, according to the park brochure. The kitchen shelters can be reserved for group events through (888) CAMPOUT, (888) 226-7688. Kitchen Shelter #4 is rented with the group camp.

Staying Overnight

Campsites: 93 standard and 45 hookup sites. See camping.
Lakeside Cottage: a 1920s cottage on the lake for up to six.
Group camp: 20 to 40 people, tents only.
Retreat center: up to 150 people in heated cabins. See retreat center.

What to Bring

Swimsuits, towels and life jackets for kids in summer.
Bug spray and a warm layer for evenings.
A leash for your dog, no longer than eight feet.
In the off-season: your own drinking water if you're camping, and rain gear.

Facilities

Restrooms (accessible), showers, drinking water, picnic tables, grills and fire pits, a dock, a trailer dump ($5), an amphitheater, the ranger station and gift shop, and accessible parking and campsites, per the park page.

Who to Call

Park office: (360) 753-1519, millersylvania@parks.wa.gov.
Campsite, cottage, group camp and shelter reservations: (888) 226-7688.
Retreat center: (360) 902-8600.
State Parks Information Center: (360) 902-8844, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Emergencies: 911.

A timber-frame picnic shelter with tables in a pine forest

FAQ

Plan Your Visit FAQ

What is there to do at Millersylvania State Park?

Swim at two beaches, paddle or fish on Deep Lake, hike or bike 8.6 miles of forest trails, picnic at the CCC-built kitchen shelters, and camp. In summer there are boat rentals, a taphouse and espresso.

Is Millersylvania worth visiting?

For a lake day near Olympia, yes: it has swimming beaches, calm water for paddling, old-growth forest trails and historic 1930s buildings, all about 20 minutes from the capital.

Can you reserve a picnic shelter at Millersylvania?

Yes. The park's kitchen shelters are reservable for group events through (888) 226-7688.