Outdoors | The Daily Chronicle

WDFW greenlights seven more days of coastal razor clam digs beginning Oct. 20

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers confirmed on Wednesday that razor clam digging opportunities will be available at Long Beach , Twin Harbors , Copalis and Mocrocks … more

10/16/25

WDFW opens public feedback survey to begin three-year hunting season planning

The public is invited to weigh in on longer-term hunting season planning as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) begins its latest three-year season-setting effort, a news release … more

By The Chronicle staff | 10/3/25

A line of clams are placed on a tailgate after being cleaned during a razor clam dig at the Grayland Beach on March 8, 2024.

The digs are on: WDFW approves seven days of coastal razor clam digs beginning Oct. 6

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers confirmed on Tuesday the first round of razor clam digging opportunities at Long Beach , Twin Harbors , Copalis and Mocrocks … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/30/25

The Chehalis River flows through Rainbow Falls at Rainbow Falls State Park on Wednesday, July 2.

Washington Discover Pass fee increases to $45 Oct. 1

The annual fee for the Discover Pass, which grants access to state parks, increases Oct. 1. The annual Discover Pass fee will increase from $30 to $45 beginning Oct. 1, according to a news … more

By Matteah Davis / The Wenatchee World | 9/26/25

State Recreation and Conservation Funds make their way to Lewis, Thurston counties

The Washington state Recreation and Conservation Office announced approximately $67 million in grant funding across counties in Washington on Wednesday. The grant funds will support more than … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 9/26/25

A deer walks along a field near the Skyline Loop Trail as the sun sets at Mount Rainier National Park on Monday, Sept. 22.

In focus: Paradise, indeed, at Mount Rainier National Park

9/24/25

WDFW: 2025 Washington hunting prospects now available

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has released its annual hunting prospects, available at shorturl.at/1w3QJ , to give hunters a detailed look at expected conditions, harvest … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/17/25

A woman searches for razor clams at Grayland Beach on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Dig out the shovels and clam guns: WDFW announces 47 tentative days of coastal razor clam digging

Shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) on Tuesday announced 47 tentative days of razor clam digs at four coastal beaches from Oct. 6 through Jan. 6. "This … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/9/25

A wildland firefighter truck sits at the Windy Ridge Viewpoint facing Mount St. Helens on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

In focus: Windy Ridge Viewpoint is still a great way to get close to Mount St. Helens

The Windy Ridge Viewpoint remains a viable alternative for viewing the northern side of Mount St. Helens after a debris slide in May 2023 took out Spirit Lake Memorial Highway and drivers’ … more

By The Chronicle staff | 9/5/25

Mount Rainier peeks out from the clouds at the High Rock Lookout in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Sunday, Aug. 17.

Volunteers work to finish High Rock Lookout by opening date

Since the High Rock Lookout Trail’s closure in early July, volunteers with the Sand Mountain Society have been working to restore the lookout — now with less than a month until its … more

By Ridley Hudson / ridley@chronline.com | 8/20/25

FILE PHOTO — Tanner Tobin, 14, of Chehalis, poses with the 7x7 bull she harvested with her youth elk tag that she drew through a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife drawing in 2023.

WDFW issues reminder to complete hunter education before fall

The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) recently issued a news release encouraging new hunters to complete their mandatory hunter education course as soon as possible during some … more

By The Chronicle staff | 8/6/25

Mountain goats graze on a ridge as the sun sets at Mount Rainier National Park on Thursday, July 24.

In focus: Sunset on Mount Rainier's Skyline Loop at Paradise

7/25/25

Herb Doumitt of the Oregon Bass and Panfish Club prefers to catch taco-sized walleye such as this one from a 2018 trip to The Dalles Dam's reservoir.

Where’s walleye? Piscatorial predators expanding range in Columbia

Nearly a decade after Oregon and Washington ended bag and size limits on walleye and bass in the jointly shared (and Washington waters) of the Columbia and Snake rivers to help save salmon and … more

Bill Monroe / oregonlive.com (TNS) | 7/19/25

WDFW accepting master hunter applications

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is inviting new applicants to join the ranks of over 1,200 certified master hunters across the state, a news release from the WDFW stated. … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/9/25

Two bikers ride on the Willapa Hills Trail near Adna on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

Outdoor recreation in Lewis, Thurston counties receives millions in funding from state

From 2023 to 2025, nearly $1.5 million in state funds have been sent to Lewis County for recreation projects, with even more money dedicated to conservation and maintenance in trails and habitat in … more

By Jacob Moore / jacob@chronline.com | 7/9/25

Mary Prophit talks about the view from High Rock Lookout in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in 2021.

High Rock Lookout closed to public for construction

The High Rock Lookout and surrounding area have been closed to the public for the construction and renovation of the High Rock Lookout on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District. This closure order will … more

By The Chronicle staff | 7/7/25

River runners go down Rainbow Falls at Rainbow Falls State Park during the Pe Ell River Run on the Chehalis River on Saturday, April 13.

Washington State Parks says budget cuts won’t undermine visitor access or services this summer

Though Washington State Parks, like other parts of state government, did not make it through this year’s legislative session with its budget unscathed, park visitors shouldn’t notice any … more

By Emily Fitzgerald / The Washington State Standard | 7/5/25

Archer Nededog, a 5-year-old boy from Lewis County, holds up fish in this photo provided by his father.

Lewis County boy competing in international ranger competition

Archer Nededog, a 5-year-old boy from Lewis County, is participating in the international Ranger Rick Junior Ranger competition, hosted by the National Wildlife Federation. He was in second … more

By The Chronicle staff | 6/25/25

Neal Kirby of Centralia provided these photos after his recent rafting journey through the Grand Canyon.

Prolific Centralian mountaineer Neal Kirby takes a break from scaling peaks, rafts through Grand Canyon for the first time

Now 73 years old and back to scaling the Cascades’ volcano peaks, prolific Centralian mountaineer Neal Kirby took a break from his normal mountain climbing adventures recently to visit northern … more

By Owen Sexton / owen@chronline.com | 6/25/25

Should irresponsible hikers be forced to pay for their rescue? Skamania County sheriff says yes

The number of rescues in the wilderness areas around Mount St. Helens keeps going up — and the actions of some of those before they call for help have drawn criticism as reckless. One man, … more

Rong-Gong Lin II / Los Angeles Times (TNS) | 6/20/25