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Washington
12

Washington State Parks

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USA Parks
Washington
King Country Region
Kanaskat-Palmer State Park
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Kanaskat-Palmer State Park © Joe Mabel / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Green River in Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, King County, Washington. Warning sign Dangerous River Conditions Ahead. Expert boaters only. All others should exit. In the spring, the area starting here is a Class IV rapids.
Kanaskat-Palmer State Park © Joe Mabel / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Green River in Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, King County, Washington. This is looking upstream, just above the area where the rapids become more serious.
Kanaskat-Palmer State Park © Steven Pavlov / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Green River in Kanaskat-Palmer State Park
Kanaskat-Palmer State Park © Steven Pavlov / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kanaskat-Palmer State Park welcome sign
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KANASKAT-PALMER STATE PARK
KANASKAT-PALMER STATE PARK
32101 Kanaskat-Cumberland Road
Ravensdale, Washington   98051

Phone: 360-886-0148
Reservations: 888-226-7688
Kanaskat-Palmer State Park is a 541-acre camping park on a small, low plateau in a natural forest setting. The park has two miles of shorelines on the Green River. Boat and raft launching is by hand only. River rafting and kayaking down the Green River Gorge is for expert-level enthusiasts only. Shoreline activities include nature appreciation, trout fishing and picnicking.Whitewater rafting and kayaking are possible in this park but pose a level of high-difficulty. Fishing and picnicking appeal to visitors with more moderate tastes.
History of the Area
The area around Kanaskat-Palmer and the Green River Gorge is abundant with mining history. The area is still mined for coal, as it has been for many years. Nearby Flaming Geyser gets its methane flame from a coal seam. Also mined locally was cinnabar, the base ore for mercury.
Passes
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to Washington state parks for day use. For more information about the Discover Pass and exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass web page.
Cottages
The six yurts at Kanaskat-Palmer are 16 feet in diameter by 10 feet high and are furnished with bunk beds that sleep three, a queen-size futon, overhead light, and small end table. Outside is a picnic table, fire grill, utility hookup, and a deck that is ADA accessible. Bathrooms and showers are nearby.
Camping
The park has 25 tent spaces, 19 partial-hookup sites with electricity, six yurts, one dump station, two restrooms ADA, and six showers four ADA.

The park has a group camp that accommodates up to 80 people. Parking is limited. The camp includes restroom, showers, two Adirondack three-sided sleeping shelters, eight standard tent sites, and a picnic shelter. No motor homes, trailers, or tent-trailers allowed in the group camp.
Boating
Whitewater rafting is available. There is no boat-launch fee for this activity.
Fishing
The park offers freshwater fishing in the Green River, with species such as salmon and steelhead trout available. Anglers can also catch cutthroat trout or mountain whitefish. Fishing requires a valid license from Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.



Picnicking
The park offers one large reservable kitchen shelter with water, electricity and two standing barbecues. Three picnic shelters and 49 unsheltered picnic tables are available first-come, first-served. Picnic shelter reservations may be made by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Trails
1. Green River Trail: This is a moderately challenging trail that follows the course of the beautiful Green River, offering stunning views and opportunities for wildlife spotting.

2. Kanaskat Loop Trail: A relatively easy 3-mile loop through lush forested areas with occasional glimpses of Mount Rainier in the distance.

3. Palmer Cutoff Road Hiking Path: An old logging road converted into an accessible hiking path which offers scenic vistas over surrounding valleys and mountainsides.

4. Riverside Walkway: Perfect for families or those seeking a leisurely stroll, this paved walkway runs along riverbanks filled with vibrant wildflowers during springtime.

5. Whispering Firs Nature Trail: It's short but steep hike leading to panoramic viewpoints overlooking deep gorges carved by glacial activity thousands of years ago.

6. Ravine Experience Route: For more adventurous hikers, it provides rugged terrain as you descend down into ravines before climbing back up again; not recommended after heavy rainfall due to potential slippery conditions.

7. Eagle's Nest Overlook Track: As its name suggests, this track leads to an overlook where eagles are often spotted soaring above tree tops against backdrop of majestic mountain ranges beyond.

8. Old Growth Forest Trekking Path: Meandering through ancient forests home to towering Douglas firs some hundreds years old providing cool shade even on hottest summer days while also serving as habitat diverse range local fauna including deer squirrels various bird species among others.

9. River Rapids Adventure Course: Designed specifically thrill seekers who enjoy navigating rocky paths alongside rushing rapids culminating at spectacular waterfall cascading from great height creating mesmerizing spectacle especially when sun rays hit water droplets mid:air producing rainbow-like effect.

10. Kanaskat-Palmer Interpretive Trails: These trails offer educational signs about flora & fauna found within park boundaries making them ideal choice nature lovers interested learning more about ecosystem they're exploring.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
April 23 Beware of Thieves
park review stars; one to five I had all of my camp gear stolen from this park. Not well watched!
February 13 the best
park review stars; one to five I have been going here camping with family since I was little. It is a great escape away from home while still remaining within reach. Feel like you are hours away from a town, its so quiet. nice camping spots and is kept pretty clean.
October 5 Lovely Camping & Fishing Park by dreamwalker
park review stars; one to five Beautiful wooded park. Great for day hiking or fishing. We watched the salmon running upstream today. The campgrounds are great. They even have Yurts to rent. Very clean, well kept and even had a Camp Host on site.
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Area Campgrounds
Blue Sky R.V. Park
9002 302nd Avenue SE
Preston, WA
425-222-7910
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Located 11 miles northeast of Enumclaw, Wash.

From Hwy. 169: Drive east at Four Corners. Signs begin just after turn. Follow signs eight miles to park.

From Hwy. 410: Turn north at Farman Rd. Follow signs nine miles to park on the left.

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Washington
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Washington State Parks

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