The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission issued a reminder last week that state parks remain open and available as normal, moving into the fall and winter season.

The Federal Government shutdown which began last Tuesday included national parks and U.S. Forest Service offices and sites.

Bogachiel State Park, a 123-acre park along the Bogachiel River south of Forks, is the only state park on the West End, though there are several on the east side of the Olympic Peninsula and south along the Pacific Ocean coast.  

Most state park day-use areas and many campgrounds in the Washington state park system are open year-round, though some parks have partial closures or limited access in late fall and winter.

The State Parks winter schedule will be available later this month.

For more, visit the Washington State Parks web site, www.parks.wa.gov.