Adventures in Nature: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park.

I am on an adventure this spring with my eight-year-old son Malachi to visit every state park in the three-county region around our home in Puget Sound.

That is a total of SIXTEEN state parks across King, Pierce and Thurston counties.

Today, we checked our SIXTH state park off the list: Kanaskat-Palmer State Park in Ravensdale, Washington (King County).

Kanaskat-Palmer State Park is a lovely, forested wilderness area surrounding the Green River.

The views of the river are great! And there are a number of access points to the riverbank, though caution is advised. This part of the river is known for expert-level whitewater rafting.

There is also an easy River Trail that is mostly accessible (with the exception of one area with steps) on hard-packed gravel ground cover, though the trail does narrow in spots and feature some large rocks and tree roots.

I was able to navigate the loop trail pushing my son in his adaptive recreational "hiking stroller," though not without some difficulty finding our way over the rocks and up the stepped portion of the trail.

A little historical background from the Washington State Parks website:

"Conservationist Wolf Bauer was a mountain climber, kayaker and retired engineer who had previously launched America’s first mountain search and rescue organization in Seattle. In 1966 he authored and photographed a widely read article in the Seattle Times Sunday Magazine that showed the Green River Gorge as a natural marvel. Bauer passionately made the case for protecting what he called 'A Ribbon of Wilderness in Our Midst.' On April 24, 1969, Governor Daniel J. Evans approved Engrossed Senate Bill 514, stating that 'A twelve mile strip [of the Green River Gorge]…needs to be acquired and developed as a conservation area to preserve this unique area for the recreational needs of the region.'

"The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (WSPRC) acquired several parcels beginning in 1973 and developed the park campground and day-use facilities. Kanaskat-Palmer State Park was dedicated in September 1983." [Read more HERE]

Fun fact of the day: Did you know the first mountain search-and-rescue organization was founded in Seattle because I definitely did not know that?! You learn something new every day.

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State Park Visit 1:

Flaming Geyser State Park -- King County, near the city of Auburn, Washington, on January 9th, 2026. Read more about our visit HERE.

State Park Visit 2:

Federation Forest State Park -- King County, outside of Enumclaw, Washington, on January 14th, 2026. Read more about our visit HERE.

State Park Visit 3:

Dash Point State Park -- King County, in Federal Way, Washington, on January 26th, 2026. Read more about our visit HERE.

State Park Visit 4:

Nolte State Park -- King County, outside of Enumclaw, Washington, on February 4th, 2026. Read more about our visit HERE.

State Park Visit 5:

Saltwater State Park -- King County, in Des Moines, Washington, on February 6th, 2026. Read more about our visit HERE.