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Fort Simcoe State Park
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Fort Simcoe Historical State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Fort Simcoe State Park
5150 Fort Simcoe Road
White Swan, Washington 98952
Phone: 509-874-2372
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Overview: |
| Fort Simcoe State Park is a 200-acre, day-use heritage park in south central Washington on the Yakama Indian Nation Reservation. The park is primarily an interpretive effort, telling the story of mid-19th century army life and providing insights into the lifeways 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 an 1850's-era military installation established to keep peace between the settlers and the Indians. Due to its unique historic significance, the park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in June, 1974. Before the fort era, the site was an Indian campground where many trails crossed. This park's primary feature is its rich interpretive opportunities, which explore mid-19th century life and the clash of cultures that took place when settlers and Indians vied for the same territory.
Park hours/updates:
Summer: 6:30 a.m. to dusk.Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk; open for day use weekends and holidays only from Sept. 29 through March 20. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| Wildlife Mammals Birds Fish & Sea Life? Badgers? Bears? Bobcats? Coyotes? Deer or Elk? Rabbits? Raccoons? Squirrels? Crows or Ravens? Doves or Pigeons? Ducks? Eagles? Hawks? Herons? Hummingbirds? Jays? Owls? Pheasants? Quail? Woodpeckers? Wrens
Environmental Features Physical Features Plant Life? Apple? Maple? Oak? Daisy? Lupines? Rose? Berries? Thistle
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| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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a long drive but worth it
This is a great park! It is never busy and is very well maintained Its great for kids!! last time i was their we even saw deer walk threw even if it is a bit of a drive make a day of it and enjoy
Written by Brandy
31-May-2008
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LOVED IT WORTH THE DRIVE!
we love this park, and travel there when we get a chance for a family BBQ. This park is well maintained. This last time we actually seen a BEAR! wow! The parks staff was very quick at scaring the bear off. IT WAS A NEAT SIGHT! I love this place and would recommend it to anyone. Very kid and dog friendly too
Written by Malgesini Family
12-Jun-2009
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| Camping: |
| Group Accommodations:
A group camp overlooks the fort and parade ground accommodates 50 guests and six RVs. For reservations, contact the park at (509) 874-2372. |
| Picnicking: |
| The park provides four sheltered and 45 unsheltered picnic tables. Restrooms, running water, and ample parking are available, with no fees. Tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| History of the Area: |
| 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. |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Links to all Washington State Parks pages - Links to all Washington State Parks pages ... Saltwater State Park Fort Okanogan State Park Scenic Beach State Park Fort Simcoe State Park Schafer State Park Fort Ward State Park Seaquest State Park ... | | Links to South Central region Washington State Parks - Links to South Central region Washington State Parks ... text below. South Central Region Brooks Memorial State Park Fort Simcoe State Park Lincoln Rock State Park Olmstead Place State Park Potholes ... | | Lewis and Clark Trail State Park - Dayton, Washington, Chamber of Commerce, Travel, Tourism, Lewis & Clark, Columbia County ... June 14 19th Century Military Camp at Fort Simcoe State Park/No Program at L&C Trail June 21 8:00 ... | | http://html.kirotv.com/recreation/guides/camp...fortsimcoe.html - ? Back to Camping Guide - South Central Washington Fort Simcoe state park Location Fort Simcoe State Park is located 30 miles west ... 200 acres. Acquired Fort Simcoe State Park was acquired in ... | | Washington Index - A guide to living history museums in Washington. ... County Museum and Pioneer Village 4 Fort Nisqually Historic Site 5 Fort Simcoe State Park 6 Fort Vancouver National Historic Site 7 Fort Walla Walla ... | | Fort Simcoe WA - ... away, online @ abebooks.com Travel Guides @ Amazon Powells uSubscribe.com Home Page Fort Simcoe State Park . Description: Post on which construction began in 1856, and which was occupied until ... | | South Central Washington State - free road map - Town and road map of South Central Washington, showing highways and tourist attractions. ... Refuge 3 Crow Butte State Park 4 Fort Simcoe State Park 5 Goldendale Observatory State Park 6 Horsethief ... | | Confederate Navy New Listings - ... above with the GPS positions on sites that we personally visit. Washington State, Fort Simcoe State Park, Yakima Indian Reservation Gravesite of Lt. Ruffin Thomson, CSMC (6Sept01) Weapons (cannons ... | | National Register of Historical Places - WASHINGTON (WA), Yakima County - National Register of Historical Places, Historical Properties, Historic Districts, Lodging, Shopping ... Yakima County - Historic Districts Fort Simcoe State Park *** (added 1974 - Yakima County ... |
| Nature Programs: |
| The park has an interpretive center and three officer's buildings that are open to the public from April 1 to Oct. 1, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. The entire park is of interpretive value. Group tours are offered for a fee. Tours the rest of the year may be made by appointment; call (509) 874-2372.
Five original buildings are still standing at the fort: the commander's house, three captain's houses and a blockhouse. Various other buildings have been recreated to appear original. Houses are filled with period furnishings.
A free family weekend in June celebrates military and Fort Simcoe History. Events may include military re-enactors and living history specialists, traditional tribal dancers, flag raising ceremony, military displays, antique car shows, free cake and refreshments. Call the park for dates and details at (509) 874-2372. |
| Area Attractions: |
| Trails Water Activities Other? 0.8 mi. Hiking Trails? Bird Watching? 2 Horseshoe pits? Interpretive Activities? Museum? 1 Volleyball Field? Wildlife Viewing
Fort Simcoe has large open grassy areas for baseball, football, softball and soccer. Wildlife viewing is seasonal and bird watching is year-round. |
| Directions: |
| From Yakima:Take the Hwy. 97 exit off of I-82 (south bound), and drive to the first traffic light (Lateral A). Turn right onto Lateral A. Drive to the second stop sign, about 12 miles (Fort Rd.) Turn right on Fort Road. Drive about 15 miles to the city of White Swan. In White Swan, watch for road signs to Fort Simcoe. The park is seven miles west of White Swan.
From Toppenish:Off of Hwy. 97 in Toppenish (north or south bound), take Fort Simcoe Rd. west. Drive about 20 miles to the city of White Swan. In White Swan, watch for signs to Fort Simcoe State Park. Fort Simcoe is seven miles west of White Swan. |
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