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East County parks
offer diverse recreational opportunities
East Grays Harbor County has a variety of parks to satisfy
the needs of everyone. Four parks which truly stand out are Friends
Landing, Lake Sylvia State Park, Schafer State Park, and Vance
Creek County Park. Each offers outdoor activities for summer.
This article first appeared in 2002
Friends Landing (Montesano)
Friends Landing, located near Montesano, is an outdoor recreation
area maintained by Trout Unlimited.
Activities at Friends Landing include camping, fishing, boating,
and walking. The camping area, like the rest of Friends Landing,
is completely handicapped accessible. The camping facilities
are open from March until November and include eighteen recreational
vehicle sites, each with electrical and water hook-ups. There
are also eleven tent camping sites. Fees for the campgrounds
are $20 for an RV site or $10 for a tent site.
Fishing can be done either in the Chehalis River or in man-made
Lake Quigg. There are four fishing piers on the lake and one
on the river. Two fishing shacks with fire pits also are present
along the one mile stretch of the Chehalis River. Major catches
include salmon and sturgeon. Boating can be done on the Chehalis
River and a handicapped accessible, paved boat launch is available
for use. A $1 donation is requested for use of the boat launch.
Boating is not permitted on Lake Quigg.
A level, paved hiking trail circles around Lake Quigg. The trail
has interpretive stations located throughout its 1.7-mile length.
Each interpretive station discusses the wildlife and habitat
of the Chehalis River, Lake Quigg, and the surrounding wetlands.
The trail by itself makes a nice and relaxing, yet educational,
day trip for the family.
Picnic tables and a playground are also present at the camping
ground. A covered picnic area with a barbecue which is reservable
for group functions. Services at Friends Landing include a handicapped
accessible restroom with showers in the camping facilities, garbage
cans, dump station, outhouses, with handicapped access near the
boat launch and a pop machine in the camping area.
For more information or reservations, call (360) 249-5117 or
write 300 Katon Road, Montesano, WA 98563.
Lake Sylvia State Park (Montesano)
Lake Sylvia State Park, located one mile north of Montesano,
offers a variety of recreational activities. These opportunities
include picnicking, hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and camping.
Schafer State Park (north of Brady)
Schafer State Park, located 10 miles north of Brady or twelve
miles north of Elma, offers camping, picnicking, hiking, swimming,
and fishing for summer fun seekers.
The day use area is on the eastern side of the park while the
camping area is on the western side of the park. The park's camping
facilities include 47 standard campsites for people with cars
or campers and six utility sites with water and electricity.
A trailer dump is also available for campers. Primitive camping
sites are also available for those who hike or bicycle into the
park. Fees are charged for use of these facilities.
The park offers seventy-five picnic sites for individuals or
families looking for an afternoon getaway. Barbecues are available
near most picnic tables. Some of the tables are covered and reservations
can be made for the group areas. Two kitchens are also available.
Schafer State Park has three hiking trails perfect for daytime
excursions. Swimming can be done in the East Fork of the Satsop
River, which flows through the park. There is no lifeguard on
duty, so swimmers are advised to use caution. Fishing, while
in season, is another activity at Schafer State Park. The most
common catches are rainbow trout and squawfish.
Services at Schafer State Park include indoor restrooms, portable
toilets, a bathhouse, water faucets near the picnic tables and
campsites, garbage can, and pay telephones.
Vance Creek County Park (Elma)
Vance Creek County Park, located just south of Elma, is a
great place for a day trip.
The park is day use only, but still has a variety of potential
activities. Picnicking, boating, swimming, fishing, and walking
are just some of the options.
Vance Creek has picnic tables located around the eastern pond
and the central area. Some of the tables have barbecues next
to them. Covered picnic tables are also available.
The central area of the park has grass fields perfect for frisbee
or touch football. It also contains a playground with swings
and slides for children of all ages.
Boating can be done in either of the two ponds at the park, but
motor boats are not allowed.
Vance Creek Park is also a favorite swimming hole during the
hot summer months. Each pond has a beach area next to its swimming
area. No lifeguard is on duty, so swimmers are advised to use
caution.
Fishing is another popular activity at Vance Creek Park. Fishing
is open from the last Saturday in April until Oct. 31.
One of the most utilized year around features at Vance Creek
Park are the paved walking trails. The paved trail loops around
the eastern pond and is easily handicapped accessible. An unpaved
trail is also available around the western portion of the park.
Services at the park include restrooms and a pay phone.
The Park is open to visitors year round and offers a wonderful
place for families to meet and spend an afternoon of fun in the
sun.
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