Fort Simcoe State Park

Fort Simcoe State Park


	Courtesy of EatStayPlay.com

Fort Simcoe State Park is a 200-acre, day-use heritage park in south central Washington on the Yakima Indian Nation Reservation. The park is primarily an interpretive effort, telling the story of mid-19th century army life and providing insights into the life ways of local Native American culture.

Located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in an old oak grove watered by natural springs, Fort Simcoe was 1850s-era military installation established to keep peace between the settlers and the Indians. Before the fort era, the site was an Indian campground where many trails crossed.

Fort Simcoe has large open grassy areas for baseball, football, softball and soccer. Wildlife viewing is seasonal and bird watching is year-round. The fort is located on the Yakama Reservation. The site was a meeting, trade and culture center for prehistoric native tribes from areas all around the present state of Washington. Prior to 1850, the park was used as a trade center and campground for the various bands of Native Americans that now make up the Yakama Indian Nation.

The fort was built in the late 1850s and was in use for three years. In 1859, the military turned the fort over to the Yakama Indian Agency. The fort was then converted to an Indian school and the Yakama Indian Agency managed its affairs from the site until the early 1900s. The park was established in 1956.

Facilities: Fort Simcoe State Park provides restrooms and campsites.

Reservations: Reservations are accepted for Fort Simcoe State Park.

Best Time To Visit: Fort Simcoe State Park is open during the summer from 6:30 a.m. to dusk. Winter hours are from 8 a.m. to dusk; open for day use weekends and holidays only October 4 through March 25.

Fees: Campsite and parking fees are charged.

Accessibility: Handicap accessibility is not provided.

Rules: Unknown

Directions: To reach Fort Simcoe State Park from Yakima start out going north on S 2nd St toward E Yakima Ave. for 0.1 miles. Turn right onto E Yakima Ave for 0.8 miles. Merge onto I-82 E for 4.3 miles. Merge onto US-97 S via exit 37 toward Goldendale for 2.0 miles. Turn right onto Lateral Rd. for 1.7 miles. Turn right onto Kays Rd. for 5.9 miles. Kays Rd becomes BIA-12 for 1.1 miles. Turn right onto BIA-87 for 0.1 miles. Turn left onto BIA-12 for 4.1 miles. Stay straight to go onto N Stephenson Rd. for 2.5 miles. Turn right onto Evans Rd. for 3.0 miles. Turn left onto Wesley Rd. for 4.2 miles. Turn right onto Pine Cone Rd. for 2.1 miles. Turn sharp left for 1.8 miles. Turn right onto WA-220 for 0.4 miles. Turn left onto BIA-100 for 1.4 miles. Turn sharp right to stay on BIA-100 for 0.2 miles. Turn slight right onto Simcoe Ln. for 0.1 miles. Warning: There are .12 miles between your ending location and the end of your driving directions. Use maps to get from your ending location to the end of your route. End at Fort Simcoe State Park.

Address

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

7150 Cleanwater Lane

P.O. Box 42650

Olympia, Washington 98504

Phone
General: (360) 902-8844

Website

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