Your Safety

 

In case of emergency, call 911.

 

Know Before You Go

The best way to ensure that you enjoy your visit to Whitman Mission is to keep safety in mind. Before your visit, please check to see if there are active alerts or closures and be aware of the weather forecast. Prepare for the weather during your visit:

• Bring a water bottle.
• Protect against strong sun by wearing sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen or protective clothing.
• Wear layered clothing.
• Trails may be icy in the winter. Black ice is common in the winter and is difficult to see.
• Trails may be slick when wet.

Parking Lot Safety

Please keep safety in mind from the start of your visit.

• Do not leave children or pets alone in vehicles.
• Do not leave valuables in your vehicle, especially where they are easily visible.
• Park in designated parking spaces.
• Be aware of your surroundings and watch for pedestrians.
• Do not skate or skateboard in the parking lot.

Wildlife

Even though Whitman Mission is a historical site, it is also a park. Please respect the wildlife you encounter.

• Stay on designated trails.
• Keep your distance.
• Pets are required to be on leash to protect them and the park's wildlife
• Do not feed wildlife. If you picnic, please properly dispose of all waste. Feeding wildlife encourages animals to interact with humans and can increase the chance of being bitten or attacked.
• Please report any concerns about wildlife you encounter to a ranger at the visitor center.

Snakes

• Snakes spotted at Whitman Mission are typically non-venomous, but please keep your distance.

• If a snake is on the trail ahead of you, do not try to move it off of the trail.
• Choose another path or walk around it if there is space for you to do so while keeping your distance

Ticks

• Ticks can be found in the tall grass, on trails, and in trees. They can attach to people and animals if they brush against them.

• Consider using insect repellant to deter ticks. Read instructions before applying repellant.
• Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks more easily.
• Wear long pants and tuck your pants into your socks.
• Stay on the trail and keep pets on a leash. Avoiding tall grass will reduce your chance of coming into contact with a tick.
• Check yourself and your pet after a visit.

• For more information about ticks, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Fires

Fires are allowed in the picnic area.

• Fires must be in a grill or a container that will not damage the table, trees, grass or other park resources.
• Fires and other heat sources must be extinguished and completely cold before any materials are placed in park trash cans.
• Coals or other combustible materials should never be thrown into the vegetation.