Enjoying late winter reflection at Millersylvania State Park
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Millersylvania State Park

4.6
·3k reviews·Olympia, United States

A serene oasis near Olympia, offering camping, hiking through old-growth forests, and lakeside fun on Deep Lake.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Summer mornings

Beat the crowds and heat

CrowdMedium
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Enjoying late winter reflection at Millersylvania State Park

Millersylvania State Park

Best Time

Summer mornings

Beat the crowds and heat

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A serene oasis near Olympia, offering camping, hiking through old-growth forests, and lakeside fun on Deep Lake.

4.6
(3k reviews)

"We love this park. The walking trails are endless. The quarry lakes are truly lovely."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Book camping in advance

Popular campsites, especially for families, get booked quickly. Reserve your spot early!

🚗 Parking near campsites

Many campsites allow parking right next to your spot, making unloading gear much easier.

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 2,833 reviews

Type

State Park

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Deep Lake Shoreline

Deep Lake Shoreline

Deep Lake

Enjoy 3,300 feet of freshwater shoreline for swimming, fishing, and boating. Perfect for a refreshing dip on a warm day.

Instagram
Old-Growth Forest Trails

Old-Growth Forest Trails

Park-wide

Explore over eight miles of trails winding through majestic old-growth forests. Ideal for hiking and biking adventures.

Instagram+1
Wetland Boardwalks

Wetland Boardwalks

Wetland areas

Discover the unique ecosystem via scenic boardwalks. A peaceful way to experience the park's natural beauty.

Instagram
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Planning Your Visit

Book Your Campsite Early

Millersylvania State Park is a popular spot, especially for camping. Sites, particularly those with good tent space, fill up fast. Booking well in advance is crucial, especially for summer weekends. Instagram

Discover Pass Required

To enter Millersylvania State Park, you'll need a Discover Pass. This applies to day use and camping. You can purchase passes online or at some local vendors. Instagram

Best Times

When
Summer mornings
Why
Beat the crowds and heat
Crowd
Medium
When
Winter afternoons
Why
Peaceful, fewer visitors
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

🌲 Exploring Millersylvania State Park! Nestled in the lush forests of Washington State near Olympia, Millersylvania State Park is a serene oasis perfect for outdoor adventures. This park is conveniently located just a short drive from Olympia, making it a great destination for a day trip or weekend getaway. 🚗 🥾 Lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails! Millersylvania offers several scenic hik...
campgroundviews
10 likes • 402 views

🎯 Book camping in advance

Popular campsites, especially for families, get booked quickly. Reserve your spot early! InstagramReddit

🚗 Parking near campsites

Many campsites allow parking right next to your spot, making unloading gear much easier. Reddit

Millersylvania State Park is an 903-acre camping park with 3,300 feet of freshwater shoreline along Deep Lake and more than eight miles of trail through towering forests. Come paddle in the sparkling water, explore the wetland boardwalks and ride the scenic trails — and then cap it off with a must-stop visit to the beer garden. All this and more is right in the backyard of Olympia. . . . . . . #ol...
wastatepks
826 likes • 22.5K views
Have you been to Millersylvania State Park!? This is a gorgeous old-growth forest with a camping park, two swimming beaches, and miles of forested area for hiking, biking, and plenty of other fun outdoor activities🌲 12245 Tilley Road S, Olympia, WA 98512 🖤Hours Winter: 8:00 a.m. - Dusk Summer: 6:30 a.m. - Dusk 🖤Discover pass required 🖤Dogs Allowed on Leash 🖤Restrooms on site 🖤Fires Allowed in D...
_mama.on.the.move_
32 likes • 727 views

🚶‍♀️ Explore the trails

With over 8 miles of trails, there's plenty to discover. Great for hiking and biking. Instagram+1

☀️ Swim at Deep Lake

Enjoy the freshwater shoreline for swimming, boating, and fishing. InstagramReddit

@suitcasesinseattle - Here's my list of campsites our family liked at Millersylvania State Park! We're a family of 5, so we pick sites that will fit 2 tents. I hope you have as much fun as we did! 💜 ⛺️ Regular camp sites: 21, 24, 31, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 43, 47, 49, 50, 53, 56, 57, 61, 64, 70, 72, 74 🏕 Glamping sites: @pamperedwilderness - These are super cute and have everything you need! 🍺 Fam...
i.almost.nailed.it
35 likes • 1.7K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Book camping in advance

Popular campsites, especially for families, get booked quickly. Reserve your spot early! InstagramReddit

🚗 Parking near campsites

Many campsites allow parking right next to your spot, making unloading gear much easier. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Explore the trails

With over 8 miles of trails, there's plenty to discover. Great for hiking and biking. Instagram+1

☀️ Swim at Deep Lake

Enjoy the freshwater shoreline for swimming, boating, and fishing. InstagramReddit

🍺 Visit the beer garden

A unique amenity offering pizza and drinks after a day of exploring. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.6
(3k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Millersylvania State Park is a beloved local gem, praised for its extensive trails, beautiful lake, and family-friendly camping amenities. Visitors appreciate the convenience of parking near campsites and the availability of showers. While some find the campsites a bit close together and the swimming areas crowded in summer, the overall experience is highly positive, with many planning return visits.

"We love this park. The walking trails are endless. While not especially photogenic, we have taken a full-on photo of a beaver & the wildlife is abundant. The quarry lakes are truly lovely. They have swimming & fishing, & a camp, too. Lovely campsites with showers for the campers. Definite home gem."

Julie Johnson

"It was our family's first time camping and it was AWESOME. We wanted to camp somewhere that was a little on the introductory side to try it out and it was perfect. Parking is right next to the campsite so you dont have to carry everything across the park. All sites also have a fire pit and picnic table to sit at. There are clean bathrooms with working showers within a short walk from all sites. The lake was beautiful and there was fishing, swimming, kayaking and boats out there. There are many trails to explore as well. This was a great way to see what camping is like for my family and we plan to go back very soon. The only thing we didnt like was the camp sites were so close together. About 20 or 30 feet to every side was another group camping. This was great for the day time and community vibes but when night came and we packed up in the tent it was a little loud as people walked by to use the restroom or do other things. However the park has quiet hours between 10 pm and 6 am and that rule was followed by all. I highly recommend this park!!"

Julia Sudduth

"Great State Park with an unusual number of concessions. The beer garden with a real pizza oven was great. There is also a nice concession by the swimming beach selling soft drinks, snow cones, and Italian sodas, along with hot dogs, pretzels, and nachos. Oh yes, there's also an airsteam trailer in the RV Lot selling coffee and chocolate drinks.

The trails are nice and well maintained, although there are a lot of kids on mountain bikes - as you would expect in this type of State Park."

Steven L

What People Like

Endless walking trails
Lovely quarry lakes
Convenient camping amenities

What People Dislike

Close campsites
Crowded swim areas

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Millersylvania State Park is conveniently located just a short drive south of Olympia, Washington. Take I-5 South and then exit onto WA-510 West towards Yelm. Follow signs for the park. The drive is typically around 20-30 minutes. TikTok

Public transportation options to Millersylvania State Park are limited. It is best accessed by private vehicle. Consider ride-sharing services if you are coming from a nearby town like Olympia. TikTok

From Olympia, take I-5 South to exit 109 for Martin Way. Turn left onto Martin Way E, then right onto Pacific Ave S. Continue onto WA-510 E towards Yelm. Turn right onto Tilley Road S, and the park entrance will be on your left. Instagram

Yes, ample parking is available throughout the park, including designated areas near the lake, trailheads, and campgrounds. Some campsites offer parking directly adjacent to the site. Reddit

Yes, Millersylvania State Park has RV-friendly campsites. There is also an airstream trailer selling coffee and chocolate drinks in the RV Lot. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Yes, a Discover Pass is required for entry into Millersylvania State Park for both day use and camping. You can purchase passes online or at various retail locations. Instagram

The park hours vary by season. In winter, it's open from 8:00 a.m. to dusk, and in summer, from 6:30 a.m. to dusk. Always check the official Washington State Parks website for the most current hours. Instagram

Camping fees vary depending on the type of site (tent, RV, glamping). While specific prices aren't listed here, booking in advance is recommended, and fees are typically paid upon reservation. InstagramReddit

While it's best to purchase your Discover Pass in advance online or at a local vendor, some parks may have limited availability for on-site purchase. It's advisable to secure yours beforehand to avoid any issues. Instagram

Washington State Parks offers various passes, including annual passes, which can be more cost-effective if you plan to visit multiple parks throughout the year. Check the Discover Pass website for details. Instagram

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

You can enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, boating on Deep Lake, exploring wetland boardwalks, and camping. There's also a beer garden and concessions by the beach. InstagramReddit

Yes, Millersylvania State Park has two swimming beaches on Deep Lake. These areas can get crowded during peak summer season. InstagramReddit

Absolutely! The park boasts over eight miles of well-maintained trails through old-growth forests, making it a fantastic destination for hikers of all levels. Instagram+1

Yes, fishing is permitted in Deep Lake. Remember to check Washington State fishing regulations and obtain any necessary licenses. Reddit

Yes, dogs are allowed in Millersylvania State Park. They are permitted on trails and in camping areas, but must be on a leash. InstagramReddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Yes, the park features a beer garden with a pizza oven, and a concession stand by the swimming beach selling snacks like hot dogs and snow cones. An airstream trailer in the RV Lot also offers coffee and chocolate drinks. Reddit

Yes, many day-use areas and campsites are equipped with picnic tables and fire pits, making it suitable for BBQs and picnics. Reddit

While there are no major grocery stores directly within the park, you can find options in nearby towns like Olympia or Yelm for stocking up on supplies before your visit. TikTok

The beer garden at Millersylvania State Park is known for serving pizza, alongside other beverages. Reddit

Absolutely! Bringing your own food and drinks is encouraged, especially for picnics and camping. There are plenty of spots to set up and enjoy your meal. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The old-growth forest offers beautiful light filtering through the trees, especially in the morning or late afternoon. The lake and its shoreline also provide scenic views, particularly during sunset. Instagram+1

While some visitors note it's not 'especially photogenic,' the abundant wildlife, like beavers, and the serene forest and lake settings offer many opportunities for nature photography. InstagramReddit

You might spot beavers, various bird species, and other forest creatures. Keep an eye out during your hikes for unique photo opportunities. Reddit

Yes, the park offers lovely sunset views, particularly over Deep Lake. It's a peaceful time to capture the park's natural beauty. Instagram+1

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive forest and lake views. A telephoto lens can be useful for wildlife photography. Don't forget a tripod for low-light conditions or long exposures. Instagram

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