The planning process for the Nisqually-Mashell St Park has been going on for about 4 years. I emailed Washington State Parks to identify the latest version and haven't heard back. There was a plan to have a boat ramp of some sort at the Nisqually-Ohop Park near Eatonville. The ramp was suppose to be a primitive ramp for rafters/drifters. The issue state parks has been access. They wanted to keep it gated at the Medical Springs road but a ramp would require access. Pack Forest will allow access only for float trips that have education or research elements. The Nisqually-Ohop location is most suitable. If the St Parks decides not to have a ramp, that makes no access on this side of the river until McKenna.
KEY element: The Nisqually Tribe is increasingly getting involved with the planning of this park and I would guess they would oppose a launch. Ask yourself why? The Nisqually Tribe is buying land in the Ohop Valley to stock salmon. They have been stocking salmon and buying land for years. They have recently purchased the Steve Burwash farm. The tribe will have locked all the water from Ohop – Nisqually confluence all the way down to McKenna. I've looked at other rivers in Wash and no other river has less put-ins.
So when that run finally starts working you will only have the McKenna down. That access would provide many additional miles of fishing once the run gets established.
Please contact parks and lobby for a put in. The web site I found is
www.parks.wa.gov/plan/nisqually.
