OLYMPIA – Washington State is getting its first new full-service state park since 2008. The planned park is on land the state owns along the Nisqually River near Eatonville, about 30 miles south of Tacoma.
Nisqually State Park will be developed thanks to $3 million included in a state construction budget signed into law by Gov. Inslee this week.
The state Parks Commission acquired the forestland piecemeal beginning in 1990s, but it hasn’t had the money to design a campground or viewpoints until now. The 1,300 acres of includes mossy forest, prairie, and steep slopes down to the Nisqually and Mashel Rivers.
The $3 million budgeted for the next two years will pay for the first part of the master plan for the new park.
There is some day-use access already with the opening of a paved parking area just off of State Highway 7 and some hiking and equestrian trails. The University of Washington and Nisqually tribe own adjacent land parcels that may be included in future expansion.
The last full-service state park to open in Washington was Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island in 2008.
PHOTO: Washington State Parks