Lake Sylvia is a hit not only for
swimmers and campers, but also fishers, as shown at the 2002
Fishing Derby. Photo by Andrea Abney.
Lake Sylvia State
Park has a wealth of recreational opportunities for everyone
By Craig Murphy
Vidette Associate Editor
This article first appeared in 2002
From fishing to camping to hiking, Lake Sylvia State Park has
long been a popular recreation spot.
The 233-acre park, just north of Montesano, was donated to the
State Parks system by the City of Montesano in 1936. Surrounded
by forest area, the park also includes the 30-acre Lake Sylvia.
Dan Kincaid is Lake Sylvia Area Manager for Washington State
Parks, and also manages Schafer State Park, a 119-acre park about
12 miles north of Elma that is well-known for its fishing. Schafer
became a state park in 1924.
Lake Sylvia has 35 camping sites and year-round fishing. Kincaid
noted the fishing has been year-round for the last four years,
with the Department of Fish and Wildlife planting fish periodically.
Much of the park is accessible by trail, which goes through some
of the surrounding woods. One of the trails is five miles in
length, while another trail is wheelchair-accessible.
Kincaid said the last Saturday in April is typically the opening
day for camping each year, quite a popular time. "During
opening day, we have had 10,000 people a day," he said.
Traffic picks up during the summer. "Basically the park
is full seven nights a week from mid-June to mid-August,"
Kincaid said. "The closer to the weekend it gets, the more
difficult (to find a spot). A lot of local people love this park
and go camping here. This facility is as nice as you'll find
anywhere in the state."
During a typical summer week, Kincaid said there can be as many
as 20,000 visitors to the park. "Camping is available on
a first come, first serve basis," said Kincaid, noting spots
for the weekend can sometimes be filled by Wednesday or Thursday
evenings.
Camping fees run $14 a night.
One of the most famous attractions at the park is the giant wooden
ball, displayed near the fishing area. "The ball was cut
out of spruce," Kincaid said. "There had been log rolling
contests for years, and a man built this big ball. He would walk
on the lake on this ball. It's pretty unique."
The ball was lost for many years, and there has been some confusion
over the years since Schafer Park used to have a ball as well.
"There's different stories I've heard," Kincaid said.
"One is that ball (from Schafer) is the one here; and that
this ball sank to the bottom of the lake. I'm 99 percent sure
this is the correct ball for here.
"When the lake was lowered to build the bridge in the 1970s,
they found all kinds of items, like some wagon wheels and this
ball."
Since being rediscovered, the ball has been on display. "It's
amazing the number of people who come to see it," Kincaid
noted. "It's been displayed 26 years. We may have to move
it inside eventually, since it's showing some damage from being
exposed to the elements. We try to preserve it the best we can."
In the same area as the ball is the lake, parking, and a playground.
"There are about 150 parking spots at the park," Kincaid
said. "When it's real busy, we only let a car in when one
car leaves."
Kincaid noted the swimming area also brings in a lot of people.
Another popular activity is holding reunions, with both sheltered
and unsheltered picnic tables available.
This fall marks the fourth annual Grouse Ridge Mountain Bike
race on park property mid-September. Trails around the park are
utilized for the race. The race ran under new sponsorship in
2003 and is not scheduled for 2004.
While there are plenty of activities for patrons at Lake Sylvia,
Kincaid noted he always has something to keep himself busy. "I
fully enjoy it, because there are many different things to do,"
he said of his job. "If I'm bored it's because I choose
to be bored."
Currently there are no day fees at Lake Sylvia State Park. However,
the State Legislature has been discussing implementing a $5 day
fee. If that were to go into effect, Kincaid said that would
be implemented in January.
For more information on Lake Sylvia State Park, call (360)
249-3621.
Website is http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Lake+Sylvia |
