A Bit Off The Beaten Path....Kanaskat-Palmer State Park

Ok, here is the 3rd leg of your “3 State Parks and the Discovery Pass is paid for”.  Kanaskat-Palmer State Park is more than you imagine when you first enter.  It offers a lot of opportunity for adventure and discovery of things you don’t run into every day.  As I haven’t been there for a while, my brother and I checked it out a week ago…he with his Nikon, me with my Canon.   It was a wonderful day!!

Kanaskat Palmer State Park is located on the Green River, just down the road from Nolte State Park…about 4 miles, if I remember right.  You have to watch for the “small sign” on a straight stretch of road.  If you cross a bridge, you have gone too far.  The first thing you notice as you enter the park is the rainforest-feel of the landscape.  The moss is covering everything you see and the ferns blanket the forest floor.  In the summer, it is a cool place to escape the heat.

The park covers 320 acres with 2 miles of river flowing past.  Activities include camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, bird-watching, picnicking and paddling.  Just a few thoughts on each…

Camping – available year-round,  group camping (up to 80 people), standard sites (31), with hookups (19), 6 yurts (!!!), showers (!!!).  Reservations or 1st come, 1st served.  Dump site available

Hiking – 3 miles of trails along the river and in the forest.

Fishing – During fishing season this is a popular place, as a hatchery is across the river.

Swimming – I CAN’T STRESS ENOUGH that there is a current, even in the slow water holes, that can be unforgiving to those who over-estimate their swimming abilities.  Down river from the park is the Green River Gorge.  Venture to far and they won’t find you for a while.  Same goes for the paddler…

Birdwatching – (and other wild life viewing)   See if you can spot some of the 18 different birds or 14 different mammals that make this forest their home.  But…please don’t feed them as it’s not good for them and in some cases not good for you.  You really don’t want a bear sitting at your picnic table.

Paddling – (rafts and kayaks)   This is the beginning or end of a very popular part of the river for paddlers.  It’s the take-out place for the Class III paddler that started in the Headworks, 2 miles upstream.  If you are an EXPERIENCED PADDLER, the hair-raising ride thru the Green River Gorge begins at the edge of the park.  It’s a rugged, rough, CLASS IV ride to Flaming Geyser State Park with only a couple of tricky takeout areas between.  I hear is an adrenaline high!!

Picniking – There are 49 uncovered tables, 2 small, sheltered tables, 1 large shelter and an extra-large shelter (with electricity and water) available.  Reservations are a must for the bigger shelters.  “1st come, 1st served” can fill up pretty early in the summer.

This is a beautiful place in any season.  Now that your Discover Pass gets you in FREE, visit Kanaskat-Palmer during any of them to see how nature changes the scenery as the year goes by.   The off-season is really the best time to visit and enjoy the peace and quiet of a truly incredible place!!

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO TODAY??  …why not Kanaskat-Palmer State Park!!!

For more info – stateparks.com/kanaskatpalmer