🌤 Weather at Matilda N. Jackson State Park Heritage Site by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35–69 °F | 48–81 °F | 38–74 °F | 33–49 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Mayfield Pwr Plt, 2 mi away, elevation 280 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🏆 Pioneer Woman — Heritage site honoring Matilda N. Jackson — the first American woman to settle permanently north of the Columbia River in Washington Territory
Matilda N. Jackson State Park Heritage Site honors the remarkable Matilda Jackson — the first American woman to settle permanently north of the Columbia River in what became Washington Territory. Matilda and her husband John R. Jackson (whose cabin is preserved at the nearby Jackson House) arrived in 1845, when the Oregon Territory was still jointly occupied by the US and Britain. Matilda survived the hardships of frontier life — isolation, disease, and conflict — while helping to establish the first institutions of American governance in the Pacific Northwest.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Lewis County, WA |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Pioneer | FIRST American woman north of Columbia! |
| Year | 1845! |
About Matilda N. Jackson
Matilda N. Jackson State Park Heritage Site in Lewis County honors the legacy of early African American settlers in Washington Territory. The site preserves the homestead of Matilda Jackson, a formerly enslaved woman who traveled the Oregon Trail and established a successful farm in the 1850s — a remarkable story of resilience and determination.
Things to Do
Visiting the interpretive panels telling the Jackson family’s extraordinary story, reflecting on African American pioneer history in the Pacific Northwest, and picnicking on the heritage site grounds.
Insider Tips
Pioneer woman: Matilda Jackson was one of the first American women to settle in Washington Territory — arriving via the Oregon Trail in the 1840s. Pro tip: Pioneer women like Jackson were essential to settlement — they established schools, churches, and social institutions that transformed wilderness into communities. Women’s suffrage: Washington granted women the right to vote in 1910 — a full decade before the 19th Amendment.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Best for visiting historical sites. Spring: Pioneer history context with green landscapes. Year-round: Historical marker and grounds. Fall: Comfortable exploring weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Washington lead on women’s suffrage?
Washington was the 5th state to grant women full voting rights (1910) — part of the western suffrage movement. Western states led the nation — Wyoming (1869), Utah (1870), Colorado (1893), and Idaho (1896) preceded Washington. The western frontier’s egalitarian culture and women’s essential roles in settlement drove these early victories.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Jackson House State Park Heritage Site (a short drive away) and Ike Kinswa State Park (a short drive away).
👩🌾 Visit Matilda N. Jackson SHP
First American woman north of the Columbia — pioneer of 1845!
Wildlife & Nature
Matilda N. Jackson State Park Heritage Site — a small heritage site in Mason County — preserves the homestead of Matilda N. Jackson, a pioneering African American woman who settled in Washington Territory in the 1860s. The site documents the contributions of Black settlers in the Pacific Northwest — a history often overlooked. The surrounding rural landscape supports black-tailed deer, red-tailed hawks, and western red cedar forest.
Nearby Attractions
Shelton is the nearest town with services. Mason County offers oyster farms and Hood Canal access. Olympia — 30 miles east — is the state capital. Belfair State Park and Potlatch State Park are within 20 miles on Hood Canal.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Matilda N. Jackson State Park Heritage Site
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in most Washington state parks but must be under physical control on a leash at all times.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- 8 ft maximum leash required; pets must be under physical control
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted on designated swim beaches
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed inside vacation houses but are permitted in designated pet-friendly cabins and yurts (e.g. Grayland Beach, Seaquest, Ike Kinswa — Cape Disappointment does NOT allow pets in its yurts), typically up to two pets, with a pet fee
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use pet fee; $15 per night pet fee in pet-friendly cabins/yurts
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Director-designated off-leash areas are exempt from the leash rule and are conspicuously posted
Are dogs allowed at Matilda N. Jackson State Park Heritage Site?
Pets are allowed in most Washington state parks but must be under physical control on a leash at all times. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via parks.wa.gov. More: Washington state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Matilda N. Jackson State Park Heritage Site
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
