Natural areas

  • Take a trip to visit a mystic mounded prairie

    Looking for something kid-friendly to do on DNR-managed conservation lands? Let their imaginations run wild on 637 acres of grassland mounds at the DNR Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve (NAP). Located next to Capitol State Forest near Olympia, Washington, Mima Mounds NAP protects… Continue reading

  • DNR Adventure: Your outdoor gym: mountain biking

    As spring gets rolling, so can you, on your mountain bike. There are many DNR trails that accommodate mountain bikes. Read on for some trip ideas to inspire you to pump up your tires and dig out the riding gear.… Continue reading

  • Eight reasons DNR is thankful for volunteers

    Each year, volunteers of all ages put in hundreds of thousands of hours helping DNR. Their dedicated efforts and skills help us maintain and improve recreational sites, trails, natural areas, and other outdoor volunteer opportunities on the state trust lands we manage.… Continue reading

  • A few scary facts for Halloween 2013

    If the parade of costumed tricker-treaters coming to your door tonight or the endless reruns of horror movies on TV these past few weeks (or today’s close-up photo of snake) are not enough to give you a fright, here are… Continue reading

  • Sasquatch Family Helps You Avoid a $99 Ticket

    The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launched a video campaign featuring a Sasquatch family to remind people that a Discover Pass is required when visiting Washington state-managed recreation lands. Watch the video today! The Discover Pass is a… Continue reading

  • Proposed Boundary Expansion for Kennedy Creek Preserve…What do you think?

    The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold a public hearing on the proposed boundary expansion for the Kennedy Creek Natural Area Preserve (NAP) on August 28. Find the answers to your questions below. Where is Kennedy Creek… Continue reading

  • Meet Washington’s Newest (and Furriest) First Family

    The Squatches are a fun-loving, outdoorsy family that moved to the ‘burbs to escape the hustle and bustle of modern day life. These weekend warriors love the millions of acres of Washington state-managed lands where they can fit all their… Continue reading

  • ‘Sasquatch’ spotted using a Discover Pass

    Today, the Discover Pass hit a new milestone. With over 800,000 passes sold since 2011, today for the first time ever, a Sasquatch was spotted purchasing a Discover Pass. The Discover Pass is a vehicle access pass required on all… Continue reading

  • Plan your summer getaway on DNR-managed land

    Looking for inspiration for your next nature adventure? Try the Northeast Region of Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This region of DNR manages the northeastern corner of Washington State; counties like Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, and Spokane. Too far to visit… Continue reading

  • Tell Dad to ‘Take a Hike’

    …A nature hike that is. This Father’s Day, show Dad how much you appreciate him with a Discover Pass and treat him to a special trip to one of our recreation sites, and once… just this once… let him beat… Continue reading