Refuge Outdoor Festival offers a camping and outdoor recreation experience led by the BIPOC community at Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground Aug. 16-18

News

Refuge Outdoor Festival, now in its seventh year and aimed at expanding participation and access to the great outdoors by and for Black, Indigenous, People of Color and their allies, will take place Aug. 16-18 at King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground in Carnation.

This year’s festival will offer more programming than ever, including multiple sessions of biking, healing, birding and stargazing. The festival’s first-ever youth summit will feature a mix of community- and youth-led workshops, activities, and discussions for all festival-goers ages 15 to 19.

“Even before I joined the team that produces Refuge Outdoor Festival, it was an event I looked forward to attending every summer,” said Festival Director Martin Tran. “Whether you're a seasoned backpacker or someone who's unfamiliar with camping, there's something for everyone. More than anything, to be in community with BIPOC and allies is an incredible feeling as we connect with nature, one another, and ourselves. It's a literal breath of fresh air.” 

For those staying overnight, an assortment of onsite camping options are available, ranging from primitive sites to glamping accommodations.

"Tolt-MacDonald Park & Campground is a unique park in our system in that it offers camping opportunities, and we’re thrilled that Refuge Outdoor Festival attendees will be able to experience such a beautiful setting," said King County Parks Director Warren Jimenez.

Event organizers partnered with the Washington Trails Association and Feathered Friends to offer a gear bank so those without personal outdoor supplies can fully participate in the festival. 

Full-access festival passes are priced on a sliding scale with limited scholarship tickets available. Festival information and tickets are available at the event website.

Golden Bricks is an event production company addressing diversity, equity and inclusion by creating special events and festivals that showcase the voices and faces of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in the outdoors. Its mission is to create experiences that meet the needs of a diverse and inclusive audience. It was a recipient of a King County Parks grant called the “Healthy Communities and Parks Fund” last year for their projects that provide community, share skills and resources, and increase representation for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in the outdoors.

King County Parks is one of four divisions at the Department of Natural Resources and Parks.

Resources

• Event website for Refuge Outdoor Festival

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