Washington State Parks winter schedule

Camano Island and Cama Beach are among the state parks that remain open year around, according to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Other nearby parks that stay open are Bay View in Skagit County and Wallace Falls near Stevens Pass.

Park facilities reservable year round include yurts at Cape Disappointment, Grayland Beach and Seaquest and vacation houses at Millersylvania, Fort Flagler, Fort Worden and Moran, on Orcas Island.

Parks announced that 100 parks will remain open seven days a week during the upcoming winter schedule. The winter schedule describes which parks will remain open, which will close and which will offer limited services, such as a reduced number of camping sites and restrooms.

Winter is a great time to camp in Washington state parks because of smaller crowds. Campers may park their RVs or pitch their tents on a first-come, first-served basis at most state parks open during the quiet season.

The winter schedule, which provides a geographic balance of visitor services during the winter months, is available online at www. parks.wa.gov. It indicates that 21 parks are closed until dates in March and April, and five parks are remaining open during the winter on weekends and holidays only.

State parks that accept year-round camping reservations are Cape Disappointment, Deception Pass, Dosewallips, Grayland Beach, Ike Kinswa, Kitsap Memorial, Ocean City, Pacific Beach, Steamboat Rock and Wallace Falls.

For a list of parks with extended reservation dates, go to the Web site and select reservations. Reservations may be made online or by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688. Reservations for Fort Worden and Fort Townsend state parks may be made by calling (360) 344-4400; Telephone device for the deaf at (360) 379-9385.

The 96-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.