Washington Administrative Code

In those designated facilities so posted by the manager, park visitors shall register for the use of facilities, overnight parking and onshore campsites, and pay the appropriate moorage, campsite fees or unattended vehicle overnight parking permit fee, on a self-registration basi…

(1) All areas dedicated for public park purposes, excluding separately located administrative areas, and under the ownership and/or management of the Washington state parks and recreation commission, shall be defined as state park areas.(2) The official name of any state park are…

State park areas are of statewide natural, cultural and/or recreational significance and/or outstanding scenic beauty. They provide varied facilities serving low-intensity, medium-intensity, and high-intensity outdoor recreation activities, areas reserved for preservation, scient…

(1) The director shall develop management guidelines for each land classification listed in WAC 352-16-020. The guidelines shall provide specific direction for each classification, outlining the philosophy of each classification, its appropriate physical features, location, allow…

The following definitions apply:"Child" means an individual that has not reached the age of sixteen."Criminal background check" means a criminal history record information search that may include but is not limited to, the following:(a) A record check of arrests and convictions t…

The Washington state parks and recreation commission requires criminal background checks on job applicants, volunteers, and independent contractors who:(1) Have unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults; or(2) Persons who will be responsible for collecting or disbursin…

(1) Conviction of a crime will not automatically preclude a person from working, volunteering, or contracting with Washington state parks. The nature of the conviction and any extenuating or mitigating circumstances will be considered.(2) Convictions for certain crimes may prohib…

(1) Washington state parks will only share pass/fail results of the criminal background check with the supervisor(s) except as provided by chapters 42.56 and 10.97 RCW.(2) Washington state parks will follow laws related to the release of criminal history records (chapter 10.97 RC…

Job applicants, volunteers, and independent contractors who fail to pass a background check will be notified in writing by Washington state parks that they did not pass the criminal background check.[Statutory Authority: RCW 79A.05.070 and 79A.05.030(10). WSR 07-24-001, § 352-18-…

(1) Job applicants, volunteers, and independent contractors who do not pass the criminal background check are entitled to challenge the accuracy and completeness of any information contained in their background check. Contact may be made with Washington state parks human resource…

(1) Washington state parks will not hire, continue to employ, allow volunteering or contracting with individuals who do not consent to a criminal background check or refuse to be fingerprinted.(2) Washington state parks will not hire, continue to employ, allow volunteering, or co…

Whenever used in this chapter, the following terms shall be defined as indicated herein:(1) "Motor vehicle" shall mean any self-propelled device capable of being moved upon a road, and in, upon, or by which any persons or property may be transported or drawn, and shall include, b…

(1) No operator of any automobile, trailer, camper, boat trailer, or other vehicle, shall park such vehicle in any state park area, except where the operator obtains and properly displays the required state parks' permit and the vehicle is parked either in a designated parking ar…

(1) No person shall operate any motor vehicle on a trail in any state park area unless such trail has been specifically designated and posted for such use.(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, no person shall operate a motor vehicle within the boundarie…

No person shall drive a motor vehicle within any state park area at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the traffic on, and the surface and width of the road, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons, property, or wildlife…

All vehicles operating upon roads within the boundaries of any state park area when such roads are covered with snow or ice, and so posted, shall be equipped with approved snow tires or chains. Roads and conditions will be posted and traffic permitted only at the discretion of th…

No person shall cause a truck or other vehicle while being used for commercial purposes to enter upon, use, or traverse any portion of any state park area or any park road therein except in the service of the commission at the request of an employee or concessionaire of the commi…

Any violation designated in this chapter as a civil infraction shall constitute a misdemeanor until the violation is included in a civil infraction monetary schedule adopted by rule by the state supreme court pursuant to chapter 7.84 RCW.[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.51.040 and 43…

When used in this chapter the following words and phrases shall have the meanings designated in this section unless a different meaning is expressly provided or unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.(1) "Commission" means the Washington state parks and recreation commiss…

(1) Trees may be cut and removed subject to the following limitations:(a) Significant trees: Except in emergencies and when feasible, significant trees in any area under the jurisdiction and/or management of the commission shall be removed only after they have been evaluated, rat…

The following qualifications, procedures, and general provisions pertain to the sale of natural resources from commission owned or managed lands:(1) Subject to the limitations set forth under WAC 352-28-010(4), the sale of natural resources will be undertaken only where they adva…

Nonmarine edible plants and edible fruiting bodies, including mushrooms, shall be managed by the agency in accordance with WAC 352-28-010. The commercial harvest of edibles is not allowed on park lands. The harvest of edibles for personal consumption, or scientific or educational…

Fauna, flora, fungi, and organic and inorganic materials may be removed from parklands for research purposes in accordance with RCW 79A.05.165. Removal for scientific or educational purposes is subject to the approval of an agency approved research permit signed by the director o…

The state park system contains a diverse array of natural resources. Select resources, of high biological significance, may warrant a high-level of protection from human impacts to preserve them. In addition, efforts to rehabilitate or restore these resources may require little o…

Whenever used in this chapter the following terms shall be defined as herein indicated:"Aircraft" shall mean any machine designed to travel through the air, whether heavier or lighter than air; airplane, dirigible, balloon, helicopter, etc. The term aircraft shall not include par…

No person shall intentionally feed, attract, or artificially sustain wildlife in state park areas. The feeding of indigenous wildlife is prohibited in all state park areas unless otherwise posted. This section does not apply to authorized feeding programs established with the Was…

(1) In order to identify temporary field operations personnel to the public for their safety and welfare, it is necessary for selected employees to furnish and wear apparel that will comply with a generally accepted dress standard common to the outdoor recreation industry.(2) The…

(1) Camping facilities of the state parks within the Washington state parks and recreation commission system are designed and administered specifically to provide recreational opportunities for park visitors. Use of park facilities for purposes which are of a nonrecreational natu…

All ELCs can be reserved by:(1) Complying with the reservation procedure; and(2) Paying the appropriate fees and deposits as published by state parks.Use of ELCs shall be on a first-come-first-served basis if the facility is not reserved.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 79A.05 RCW. …

Picnicking is permitted only in designated and marked picnicking areas, or in such other places within a state park area as designated by a ranger. Any violation of this section is an infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 79A.05 RCW, including RCW 79A.05…

(1) All designated group facilities shall be reservable by groups as defined in WAC 352-32-010.(2) All designated group facilities shall have a predetermined use capacity. No group exceeding this capacity in number shall use these areas. Groups making reservations shall be charge…

Any person or group, hereinafter referred to as the "applicant," desiring to make use of a portion of a state park for a special recreation event which will require special planning, facilities, staffing, or environmental protection measures, or the closure of the area to, or res…

(1) The director or designee establishes for each state park area, according to existing conditions, times, and periods when it will be open or closed to the public. Such times and periods shall be posted at the entrance to the state park area affected and at the park office. No …

The director or designee may establish for each state park area according to facilities, design, and/or staffing levels, the number of individuals and/or vehicles allowed in any state park area or structure at any given time or period. No person shall enter in any state park area…

To ensure peace and quiet for visitors:(1) No person may cause a sound that may be plainly audible beyond the person's immediate area of use or campsite between the quiet hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.(2) No person shall, at any time, use sound-emitting equipment including mus…

Disorderly conduct, or conduct with the intent to intimidate or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or which otherwise impedes or disturbs state park employees or volunteers in the performance of their duties, or which impedes or disturbs the general public in the use and e…

(1) All pets or domestic animals must be kept under physical control, on a leash no greater than eight feet in length, or otherwise physically restrained, at all times while in a state park area.(2) Pets and domestic animals may not be allowed to dig or otherwise disturb or damag…

(1) No horses, llamas, sled dogs or similar animals used for recreation shall be permitted on trails in any state park area, except where designated and posted to specifically or conditionally permit such activity. The director or designee may open or close trails to such use. Th…

(1) Whenever used in this section, nonmotorized cycle or similar device shall mean any wheeled, operator-propelled equipment that transports the operator on land, including cycles, in-line skates and skateboards, but not including wheelchairs or other devices utilized by persons …

(1) Swimming areas in state park areas are marked with buoys, log booms, or other markers, clearly designating the boundaries of such areas.(2) Any person swimming outside the boundaries of a designated swimming area, or in any area not designated for swimming, or in any area, wh…

(1) Whenever used in this section, technical rock climbing shall mean climbing while using such aids as pitons, carabiners or snap links, chalk, ropes, fixed or removable anchors, or other similar equipment. Technical rock climbing includes bouldering and free soloing (respective…

Engaging in activities in a manner or at a location that subjects people or personal property, park resources, or park facilities to injury or damage is prohibited. Any violation of this section is an infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 79A.05 RCW. WSR…

Outside of designated parking areas, human foot traffic only shall be allowed within Squak Mountain State Park—Natural area. All other means of transportation, including, but not limited to, horses or any mechanized vehicles such as motor vehicles, bicycles, or similar vehicles a…

(1) No person shall disrobe in public in any state park area.(2) Clothing sufficient to conform to common standards shall be worn at all times.(3) Any violation of this section is an infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 79A.05 RCW, including RCW 79A.05.…

No person shall erect, maintain, use, or occupy any temporary tent or shelter on any swimming beach in any state park area unless there is an unobstructed view through such tent or shelter from at least two sides: Provided, however, That nothing herein contained shall be construe…

(1) No person shall discharge or propel across, in, or into any upland state park area as defined in WAC 352-32-010 a firearm, except where the commission for good cause has authorized a special recreational activity upon finding that it is not inconsistent with state park use. A…

No person shall display, discharge or propel across, in, or into any upland state park area as defined in WAC 352-32-010, a bow and arrow, spear, spear gun, harpoon, or air or gas weapon, or any device capable of injuring or killing any person or animal, or damaging or destroying…

All fires, except campfires, fires for stoves, candles, torches, barbeques and charcoal, are prohibited in state parks. Campfires are restricted to within the designated campfire pit, ring or other provided campfire enclosure and the flame must be no higher than two feet. On ocea…

(1) No aircraft shall land on or take off from any body of water or land area in a state park area not specifically designated for landing aircraft. This provision does not apply to official aircraft used in the performance of search and rescue missions, medical emergencies, law …

No person shall possess, discharge, set off, or cause to be discharged, in or into any state park area, any firecrackers, torpedoes, rockets, fireworks, explosives, or substance harmful to the life or safety of persons or property. Provided that the director or designee may issue…