| Lake Sylvia State Park | |
|---|---|
 Lake Sylvia as seen from the dam | |
  Lake Sylvia State Park Location in the state of Washington Show map of Washington (state) Lake Sylvia State Park Lake Sylvia State Park (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Location | Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 46°59′50″N123°35′34″W / 46.9971702°N 123.5928322°W /46.9971702; -123.5928322[1] |
| Area | 233 acres (94 ha) |
| Elevation | 121 ft (37 m)[1] |
| Established | 1936 |
| Administered by | Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission |
| Website | Official website |
Lake Sylvia State Park is a 233-acre (94 ha) state-operated, public recreation area in the northern part ofMontesano inGrays Harbor County, Washington. The park is located in densetemperate rain forest.
The area was originallyhomesteaded in the late 1860s by Michael F. Luark, who built Grays Harbor County's first water-powered sawmill there in 1871.[2]
The present dam was built around 1909; itspenstock (now mostly demolished) provided the power for agenerator house alongside the creek, down below. The generator and lake provided power and water for Montesano into the early 1930s, when the powerhouse was dismantled. Elsie Wilder was almost certainly the only woman in the United States to operate a power plant in the 1920s.[3]
In 1931, theCity of Montesano purchased the surrounding watershed for $12,000 (equivalent to $248,114 in 2024) to safeguard its primary water source.[4] The property wasdeeded to Washington State Parks in 1936.[5][3]
TheLegacy Pavilion, an open-sidedpavilion with large stone fireplace, picnic tables and benches, was completed in 2020. The structure was designed by Will Foster and cost $1.1 million (equivalent to $1,336,492 in 2024) to construct.[4][6]
The municipalwatershed of Montesano lies above the head of the lake, at the eastern end of Lake Sylvia, and is accessible by foot through the park. The city watershed is managed very similarly to anational forest and serves as a corridor for wildlife to enter and leave the park and the northern parts of the town.
The park is home to a mixed flock ofmallard ducks andCanada geese. A family ofospreys, as well as occasionalbald eagles, also occupy the lake area. There is also a small group of beavers living along Sylvia Creek, which flows from the lake.
Sylvia State park offers swimming, hiking, camping, fishing, and non-motored boating.
The park also features an outdoor kitchen, picnic tables,ADA-accessibleplayground, and an event venue which can host up to 60 guests.
Overnightcamping is also available, with restrooms and showers facilities (some ADA-accessible).[2][7]
