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Kanaskat-Palmer State Park
I have painted here numerous times and always want to come back for more. This park is an ideal place for a day or more of plein air group painting. There are easily a dozen places along the river to paint, many of them that can accommodate several painters at the same spot.
Especially on the perfect summer day, this place is wonderful spot for combining a plein air day with an evening barbeque. The State Park is about 8 miles southeast of Four Corners in Maple Valley, the intersection of Hwy 169 and SR 516 (SE Kent Kangley Rd). From Four Corners, drive east on Kent Kangley Road about 3 miles on Kent Kangley Rd to a Y, and just before the Y there is a sign (see at right) that points left to SELLECK, and to the right to KANASKAT. Take the Right turn... ...and go less than 3 miles to a sign pointing to Enumclaw and Kanaskat-Palmer State Park (see at right). Take this right turn and drive about a mile and a half. You will see a “National-Parks-brown” sign pointing right to the park (see at right) about 100 yards before the entrance; there’s a State Parks Emblem sign across the street from the entrance (below). 
Past the gate, drive down towards the river, staying straight towards the PICNIC AREA/GREEN RIVER (see below).
Beyond, down the hill, there is another road to the left that goes to the parking at the “Lower take-out and put-in site” for kayakers and boaters, but keep straight to go to the Upper parking lot to meet up with other painters.
There is a trail that follows at and just above the river edge, with more than a dozen places to drop down or over to the river, each that offer wonderful views of the river and surrounding areas. Below I've made a slide show of just some of them. At many of these spots, there is room for several painters at a time. There are quite a few places to paint white water tumbling over boulders. In the park we are on the east side of the river as it flows from north to south. During the summer, the sun is over the trees on the opposite side, but many spots that have some shade at particular times of the day. At times if you’re quick enough, or have the camera handy, you can paint a kayak floating by…
Summer will also have swimmers. Maybe not too many know about the huge swimming rock down just around the bend of the river from which those who do know can jump off into a deep pool. Haven’t done it, but watched many as I painted…So depending on the day, have your swim suits along—artists might appreciate skinny dipping figure studies, but the rest of the public? Meh. The beauty of the place and the constant sound of the river and birds offer an oasis from the city life, media, and all the man-made surroundings. As I’ve mentioned to folks, if you bring your radio/iTunes, etc., you’re kind of missing the point of it all. The park offers a few covered areas for picnicking, the largest one of which requires a reservation (shown below in the background). There are standing barbecues, which, depending upon conditions, may or may not be allowed. 
There are picnic tables scattered around this area, including some aside the trail for those more introvert or...that Covid thang...
The sign (at right) is true enough. You will find no alcoholic beverages on the trail, and will have to bring your own if you choose. Of course, the intention of the sign is safety through banning alcohol/substance-du-jour rather than reminding of personal responsibility. Choice includes responsibility. Carl Jung might suggest that the sign indicates a projection of the Shadow of the broken State—but that’s a discussion for later over some beers...
There are restrooms at both ends of the day-use area, and are kept in good condition. Additionally, in the main area there are also at least two water spigots. For those who could stay more than one day, there are campsites in another part of the park that include yurts as well as spaces for mobile homes, trailers and tents. More info below to check that out. The closest hotels are in Enumclaw (10 miles away) or in the Renton/Kent area (20+ miles away). Cell phone reception seems reasonable at this park. |
The most relevant left-side of the map above is shown below. THe heavy green lines are the road. The light gray lines are the trails.
Below are some pics I took, walking along from spot to spot.
There are more than what is shown here. 
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The map above was found in PDF format at:
www.parks.wa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1888/Kanaskat-Palmer-State-Park-PDF KANASKAT-PALMER STATE PARK 32101 Cumberland-Kanaskat Road Ravensdale, WA 98051 Phone: (360) 886-0148 Campsite & group accommodations Phone: (888) 226-7688 Summer 8 a.m. - dusk |