Schafer State Park is nearing the culmination of a two-year renovation project designed to expand and enhance its facilities in preparation for its 100th anniversary. The Washington State Parks Department recently announced the addition of a new campground.
Located near Elma on the Satsop River, the state park now boasts 30 new campsites, complementing the existing 38. The expansion is part of a broader effort to improve visitor experiences as the park prepares for its centennial celebrations.
The renovation includes several significant infrastructure improvements, in addition to increasing the number of campsites. A new restroom building and a welcome center have been constructed, alongside a new reservoir to support the park’s potable water system. The park’s entry road has also been upgraded, improving accessibility and traffic flow throughout the area.
Schafer State Park holds a special place in the region’s history. Officially designated a state park in 1924, it was donated by a logging company and has since been a destination for nature enthusiasts.
According to its website, the park provides a serene escape with a variety of activities and amenities. It also offers anglers the chance to catch steelhead, cutthroat trout, and salmon in its vibrant freshwater river. Visitors can also enjoy a range of other activities including biking, bird watching, boating, and camping.
As reported by The Olympian on May 3, Angela Galli, a ranger at Schafer Park, emphasized the park’s historical importance. “There is a lot of history at this park. There are multi-generational families and folks who have been coming to Schafer since they were 3 years old. It’s a place you can come to with your family, to relax, enjoy the river, camp, float, and fish,” Galli said.
As part of the centennial celebration, Schafer State Park is organizing a public event on July 20. The event will feature a variety of activities.
RV owners and campground operators can derive valuable lessons from Schafer State Park’s strategic approach to enhancing customer experience ahead of its centennial celebration.
By investing in significant infrastructure improvements, including the addition of new campsites and facilities such as a restroom building and a welcoming center, Schafer State Park has demonstrated the importance of updating and expanding amenities to meet the evolving needs of visitors.
This focus on enhancing physical infrastructure not only improves the functional aspects of the park but also boosts its attractiveness as a destination, a strategy that can be mirrored by private campground owners to increase visitor satisfaction and retention.