State Parks Near Olympia

Washington State Parks names five state parks within an hour of Olympia: Millersylvania and Tolmie, each about 20 minutes away; the Willapa Hills Trail, about 40 minutes; and Lake Sylvia and Rainbow Falls, about 50 minutes. Millersylvania is the one with a lake, two swimming beaches and old-growth forest. One Discover Pass ($10 a day, $45 a year) covers parking at all of them.

Millersylvania State Park, 20 Minutes

A camping park on Deep Lake with two swimming beaches, calm water for paddleboarding, 8.6 miles of trails through old-growth forest and wetlands, and CCC-built kitchen shelters from the 1930s. In summer there's a beer garden in a CCC-era cabin. This whole site covers it: start with plan your visit.

Tolmie State Park, 20 Minutes

Washington State Parks highlights scuba diving off the shore at its underwater artificial reef, a popular family swim beach, and a three-mile trail lined with cedar trees that winds over wetlands, good for a walk with your dog.

Willapa Hills Trail, 40 Minutes

A converted rail trail for hiking, biking and horseback riding between Chehalis and the Washington coast, through farmland, small towns and coastal forest. The restored railroad bridges are the photo stops. You can fish or swim from gravel bars on the Chehalis River below the trail.

Lake Sylvia State Park, 50 Minutes

A lake park: swim and paddle in calm water, fish from the fishing bridge, and ride hybrid or mountain bikes on looping trails above the park. The agency suggests camping at nearby Schafer State Park, on the Satsop River.

Rainbow Falls State Park, 50 Minutes

An off-the-beaten-path park on Highway 6 with a campground, horseshoes, a ballfield and its namesake waterfall. You can also reach it by bike, on foot or on horseback from the Willapa Hills Trail.

More in the Area

The Millersylvania brochure also lists Lewis and Clark, John R. Jackson House and Ike Kinswa as state parks in the general area.

One Pass for All of Them

Every one of these parks takes the same Discover Pass: $10 for a day or $45 for a year, transferable between two cars. The annual pass pays for itself in less than five visits. See Discover Pass.

Which One to Pick

• Swimming in fresh water and camping under big trees: Millersylvania.
• A swim beach and scuba diving: Tolmie.
• A long bike ride: Willapa Hills Trail.
• A waterfall: Rainbow Falls.
• Fishing from a bridge: Lake Sylvia.