Columbus Park, located in Olympia Washington, sits on the shores of Black Lake. The property has RV spaces, tent camping, and day-use availability. There are also residential areas on the grounds that are used as moderate to low-income housing for people. Inside of the main office facilities is a relatively small store that is open during the camping season of May through September. The short-term stay RV sites, camping sites, and day-use availability are also open during the same months. There are 26 sites that guests can stay at, and all the RV sites have full hookups, including water, sewage, and electricity.
Columbus Park sits on the outskirts of Olympia, Washington near Capitol State Forest. At the park, guests can camp seasonally with RVs, Tents, or get a day-use pass to play in the lake. There is also housing available year-round for low to moderate-income patrons. On the grounds of the establishment, visitors have access to showers and bathrooms as well as horseshoe pits, outdoor volleyball courts, and a private boat launch. Day guests as well as those staying at any of the sites have lake access for boating and fishing, as well as the ability to play in the lake's roped-off swimming areas. The beach area adjacent to the lake is grassy and has a dock and areas for those visiting the lake to sit at. Running through the property is also a relatively small creek.
There are multiple options for those who are looking to visit the Columbus Park. Across the park are 26 different short-term stay sites. The RV sites all have full hookups with water, sewage, and electricity.
While on the grounds of Columbus Park, the management has multiple policies in place to keep the park's environment clean and family-friendly. For those camping overnight there is a maximum of six people per site. Campfires must be contained in the rings that are provided with each space, and the management asks that guests not hammer nails into the trees to hang hammocks or other items. Animals are welcome at the park as long as they are always leashed. The establishment strives to be a family-friendly facility, but the management asks that children never be left unattended. Quiet hours are strictly enforced between 10 PM and 8 AM every night.
For those coming to the premises for day use lake access, pets are not allowed to accompany visitors. Additionally, glass bottles are not allowed on the shores of the lake, and neither are bikes. All waterfront access ends promptly at 8:30 PM or sunset, whichever is first. For both those staying at the property overnight as well as those coming for day use, marijuana is not allowed to be used.
Those who stay at Columbus Park often comment on the cleanliness of the establishment. They also frequently note the amenities, such as the lake, the volleyball court, and the hospitality of the staff on the premises. One said that the property was a "clean and well-maintained campground with a nice swimming area and a sandy beach for little kids to dig in." Others note the family-friendly nature of the grounds and the picnic facilities, saying "The kids had a blast swimming. It's a great place for a picnic. The little store had snacks if you want to get the kids a treat."
The Black Lake, which is on the grounds of Columbus Park, is a year-round fishing lake. There are multiple types of fish that can be caught in the lake, including trout, catfish, bass, bluegill, and crappy. According to the Columbus Park website, there are large numbers of each type of fish. All those who come to the property are allowed to go fishing on the lake. The dock at the boat launch is on a first-come, first-serve basis when it comes to guests docking their boats. For those staying at the RV sites or tent camping sites, boats are not allowed to be kept at the site; they must be kept either in the water at the boat dock or another approved parking area.
While staying on the grounds of the park, the management team hopes that guests can feel welcomed, safe, and happy. They strive to create an environment where patrons can have fun with their families in the outdoors. In hopes to provide this atmosphere for those at the property, the management team has created policies that they hope encourage behavior conducive to a family environment. They try to enforce the policies and welcome all those who come to the establishment.
The area surrounding Columbus Park is home to a variety of activities. The property is located 15 minutes from downtown Olympia, which features many different forms of entertainment. In Olympia, there is a museum meant for children (Hands on Children's Museum), as well as multiple parks, including Pioneer Park, the Grass Lake Nature Reserve, and Capitol Lake. The management at Columbus Park says that the establishment is "close enough to town to get what we need, but far enough away that we can enjoy peace and quiet." Nearby the property is a neighborhood breakfast joint named Hash, which serves American-style breakfast items such as omelets, cornbread, and hash browns.
Columbus Park has been operating in various functions since 1906. Between 1906 and the 1960s, the park operated only as permanent residences. It began as strictly low and moderate-income housing on Black Lake. In 1926 the land was incorporated to officially become part of the city of Olympia. Tent campsites were added as a seasonal activity for the property starting in the 1960s, and RV sites were added in 1980. Since the RV sites were added, there have been upgrades and improvements made to the property to keep the establishment up to date. In the future, Columbus Park management hopes to add canoe rentals, and they are currently in the process of laying fresh docks in the hopes of keeping the lake entrances safe.
5700 Black Lake Blvd SW Olympia WA United States
Olympia, Washington 98512
United States
Campground
