All over North Central Washington, particularly along our lakes and rivers, state and community parks provide marvelous opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Some of the parks listed provide overnight camping, along with such activities as water sports, hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, softball, basketball, tennis, and picnicking.

Washington State Parks has been on a new reservation system since October 2001. Specifically, people wishing to make reservations may call (888) CAMPOUT -- (888) 226-7688 -- or the Telecommunications Relay Service at (800) 833-6388. Phone lines are open every day of the year, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. PST, except Christmas Day and New Year's Day and with shortened hours on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

Reservations may be made up to nine months in advance at most parks for dates of May 15 through Sept. 15. The only exceptions are Fort Canby and Deception Pass state parks, where reservations may be made nine months in advance for dates year-round, and at Pearrygin Lake State Park, where reservations may be made nine months in advance for dates April 15 through Oct. 30. Some group facilities have reservation dates available year-round. Reservations also may be made online.

Also, we have not used the (800) 233-0321 number since October 2001. For more information about Washington's state parks, the public may contact our information center at (360) 902-8844 or the Telephone Device for the Deaf at (360) 664-3133.

Chelan, Entiat and Manson

Twenty-five Mile Creek State Park

Nineteen miles west of Chelan on South Lakeshore Road, (509) 687-3610. This park, with 86 campsites (22 with hookups), a marina and small concession store, is the farthest spot up Lake Chelan that offers a boat launch and marine gas. Group camping facilities are available. Calls to Reservations Northwest at 1-800-452-5687 are made 11 months prior to desired arrival date. The park is a jump-off spot to the Chelan Ranger District, Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, Sawtooth Roadless Area and Glacier Peak Wilderness.

Entiat Park

Located 15 miles north of Wenatchee on the west bank of the Columbia River, (509) 784-1500. This water-oriented park has 31 RV sites and a camping area with room for 50 tent sites for swimmers, boaters and water skiers. A mile-long trail follows the river. The park has a boat launch and playground. A fruit stand and grocery store are nearby.

Lake Chelan State Park

Nine miles west of Chelan at the junction of South Lakeshore Road and Navarre Coulee Road, (509) 687-3710. Part of the state reservation system, the park also accepts reservations by mail beginning in January (14 days in advance). Reservations made after Jan. 1 are hard to come by at this very popular park. Vacationers will find 144 campsites (17 with full hookups), boat dock, swimming area, water skiing and fishing. Park has concession stand. A private store across the road offers burgers, hot dogs, ice, firewood, and miniature golf. LINK buses stop here Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.

Beebe Bridge Park

Located 21 miles north of Orondo on Highway 97, (509) 663-8121. The park has 46 campsites with hookups, boat launches, short-term boat moorage, swimming, picnic areas, tennis courts, playground equipment and a riverfront trail. Reservations accepted for picnic shelter only.

Conconully, Oroville and Tonasket

Conconully State Park

About 22 miles northwest of Omak near down town Conconully, (509) 826-7408. Features 81 standard tent sites and a half-mile nature trail. Fishing, swimming and boating are available on nearby Conconully Reservoir and Conconully Lake. A good jump-off spot to Okanogan National Forest trails and campgrounds.

Osoyoos Lake State Park

One mile north of Oroville off Highway 97, (509) 476-3321. Features 86 campsites (no hookups). Fishing, swimming and boating (especially water skiing) are popular at the park, which borders the lake and Okanogan River. Many Canadians use the park as a base for U.S. shopping trips in Oroville and south.

Curlew Lakes State Park

Ten miles north of Republic on Highway 21, (509) 775-3592. The park has 82 campsites (18 with full hookups, five with water and power). Camping is first come, first served. Features include a swimming area, boat launch, fishing dock, moorage dock, and a 11/2-mile nature trail. An airport is a quarter-mile from the park, and a trail makes it convenient for anglers to fly in and fish for the day.

George, Moses Lake and Vantage

Potholes Reservoir State Park

Twenty five miles southwest of Moses Lake on SR 262, (509) 765-7271. The park has a day-use area open from 6:30 a.m. to dusk. A 126-site campground (60 with hookups) is first come, first served. Visitors can boat, water ski or fish for trout, crappie, walleye or perch in the reservoir. MarDon Resort is nearby.

Gingko/Wanapum State Park

On the west bank of the Columbia River near Vantage, (509) 856-2700. Near the Gingko Petrified Forest, the park offers an ideal base for exploring one of the state's most interesting natural areas. An interpretive center in Vantage three miles north of the camp ground displays petrified wood 15 million years old. The park has 50 camp sites, all with hookups, and opportunities for fishing and boating on the river behind Wanapum Dam.

Grand Coulee Dam Area

Steamboat Rock State Park

Eight miles south of Grand Coulee on Highway 155, (509) 633-1304. Great access to Banks Lake for fishing, boating and water skiing. Twenty-six tent sites are available along with 100 regular sites, all with hookups. Reservations needed from Memorial Day to Labor Day. A dozen boating campsites are first come, first served, as are 70-80 camp sites in three primitive areas 6-11 miles north of the park. Horseback riding is available in nearby Northrup Canyon (bring own horses). A day-use area is open from 6:30 a.m. to dusk. There are fees for the boat launch and trailer dump, unless you are camping.

Sun Lakes State Park

Seven miles southeast of Coulee City on Highway 17, (509) 632-5583. Located on a string of small, long lakes, this park is a perfect base for fishing, boating and swimming. Boat and horse rentals are available, as are golf, groceries and fishing supplies. The park has nearly 200 campsites. Cabins and trailer hookups are available at the nearby resort.

Coulee City Community Park

On Banks Lake, along Highway 2 at Coulee City, (509) 632-5331. The park has 34 sites with full hookups and a camping area with room for 100 sites, all first come, first served. The park offers a marina, playground, swimming area, picnicking, restroom and showers. Excellent fishing for bass, rainbows, silvers, walleye and perch.

Lake Wenatchee and Leavenworth

Lake Wenatchee State Park

Located 22 miles northwest of Leavenworth on Highway 207, (509) 763-3101. The park has 155 standard campsites, 42 water and electrical hookups, and a group camp facility for groups of 20-80 people. Reservations are needed during the summer months; call 1-888-226-7688 to reserve. The park offers swimming, boating, and hiking in the summer, and groomed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding in the winter. Horse rentals and guided rides available. Campers must bring their own firewood or buy it at the concession stand, which also sells groceries.

Quad Cities

Alta Lake State Park

Four miles southwest of Pateros off Highway 153, (509) 923-2473. Over 200 campsites (31 with hookups) make this park a popular stop for families visiting Pateros and the Methow Valley. This water-oriented park features fishing, swimming and boating. Picnic shelter and group camping available. A one-mile hiking trail, horse rentals and golf course are nearby. The lake level is still low due to drought. Boat launch ramp is for small fishing boats, but can't accommodate large water skiing tow boats. Use of a private launch on the lake is available for a fee.

Bridgeport State Park

Three miles southeast of Bridgeport off Highway 17 near Chief Joseph Dam, (509) 686-7231. On the shores of Rufus Woods Lake, this peaceful park has 34 campsites (20 with hookups), boat launch, fishing facilities, swimming areas and nearby golf. Out of the way and quiet, the park is a favorite of anglers seeking walleyes and silvers.

Twisp and Winthrop

Pearrygin Lake State Park

Four miles northeast of Winthrop off the East Chewuch River Road, (509) 996-2370. A member of the statewide reservation system, this popular park features 83 campsites (30 with full hookups), boat launch, boat dock, swimming area and nearby grocery and supply store (with boat rentals). It's one of the state's busiest parks, so make reservations three months in advance if possible.

Wenatchee and East Wenatchee

Squilchuck State Park

A few miles south of Wenatchee on the Mission Ridge Road, (509) 664-6373. Open for group day use and camping by reservation only. The park and its lodge are favorites for receptions and reunions. Twenty campsites are available for group camping. Several trails and logging roads lead into the mountains surrounding the park.

Wenatchee Confluence State Park

At Olds Station in north Wenatchee, where the Columbia and Wenatchee rivers meet, (509) 664-6373. This park attracts outdoor enthusiasts for swimming, boating, water-skiing, soccer, tennis, basketball, baseball and softball. Four miles of scenic and interpretive trails are open for walking, biking and rollerblading. The park has 51 full-hookup campsites and eight standard sites. A large grassy area can accommodate up to 300 people for day use or group camping.

Wenatchee River County Park

Five miles northwest of Wenatchee at Monitor between Highway 2 and the Wenatchee River, (509) 667-7503. The park has a picnic and playground area, 100 campsites (40 with full hookups). Ice and propane available. Good steelhead fishing in the fall. Now open year round.

Daroga State Park

Twenty miles north of Wenatchee on Highway 97 above Orondo, (509) 664-6380. This lovely park of tree-lined trails and river pools offers 28 RV hookups, group camping and 17 primitive hike-in, bike-in or boat-in sites, and boat launches. The park has tennis and basketball courts, softball and soccer fields, swimming, boating and picnicking. Reservations accepted on group areas only.

Lincoln Rock State Park

Six miles north of East Wenatchee on Highway 2//97, (509) 884-8702. This park, popular with young water enthusiasts, offers tennis, soccer, basketball, swimming, boating, water skiing, camping, bicycling and in-line skating. The park has 94 campsites (67 with hookups) and boat launches. The park is on the state reservation system from April 1- Sept. 30.

Orondo Riverfront Park

Eighteen miles north of East Wenatchee on Highway 97, (509) 784-1796. This park has the only fuel marina on the Columbia River from Rocky Reach Dam to Azwell and offers excellent water skiing on the river. Of the 15 campsites, 10 have hookups. Picnic shelter available by reservation for groups. Other features are boat storage and moorage, swimming, restroom and showers, a concession store with hamburgers, and nearby mountains for hiking. Boat fuel usually available at any hour for emergencies.