Millersylvania State Park — Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008

Olympic Peninsula > Olympia

If you've ever done the long drive from Seattle to Portland, somewhere in the nether regions south of Olympia you've probably seen the signs on I-5 pointing to Millersylvania State Park. It is actually worth checking out. There is a sizeable lake with a swimming beach, and several miles of trails rambling through wetlands and forest. I enjoyed seeing the many impressive picnic shelters and other log structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. If our economy continues to tank, we may need a new version of the CCC...imagine what could be done with that for trails and parks! If you want to hike around the park, you may as well park at the lakeside lot right at the park entrance. Follow the shoreline path through the woods, then strike out on the somewhat muddy paths through the marshes. Some of the douglas firs are truly impressive in size. A walk in Millersylvania makes for a nice break when doing the Seattle-to-Portland slog. Freeway access is reasonably convenient...the park is about 3 miles east of I-5. Dear WTA: you need a new region covering southwest Washington. Technically Millersylvania Park is in the Willapa Hills.