Washington has 124 state parks, and each year, a whopping 40 million people visit them. Many of those people call the Evergreen State home, while some visit from other parts of the country. But they can all appreciate the diverse landscapes and endless natural beauty our state parks offer. If you're very familiar with Pacific Northwest history, you may already have heard of a very famous teacher from Japan. The Ranald MacDonald grave sits up near the Canadian border within our state's smallest state park—and it's definitely worth a visit. Yes, we know, this may sound a bit strange but trust us, the story is all going to come together!

Ranald MacDonald's Grave is a Washington State Park Heritage Site.

It's located up near the Canadian border, near the town of Curlew in the northeastern part of the state.

The gravesite is about 20 miles north of the beautiful Curlew Lake State Park, a popular summer destination.

Curlew Lake State Park is a bit of a hidden gem for those who don't live in this part of Eastern Washington.

Ranald MacDonald's Grave State Park Heritage Site is a 100 square foot park, making it Washington's smallest, by far.

There isn't much to this area, but if you can appreciate our local history, it's definitely worth paying a visit.

Ranald MacDonald was best known for being the first English teacher in Japan.

He served as an early ambassador during a time when Japan was closed off to the outside world.

Ranald MacDonald was born in 1824 in Fort George, which later became Astoria, Oregon. His parents were fur trader Archibald McDonald and Princess Raven, daughter of Chief Comcomly of the Chinook Confederacy.

When he was sailing near Japan, he convinced his captain to set him adrift so he could go ashore and connect to the Japanese. While the Japanese were skeptical, MacDonald convinced them that his intentions were good. Luckily, they believed him, and he was soon put to work teaching the locals English. Later, he helped negotiate a trade agreement between Japan’s government and Admiral Perry, which helped open Japan to the West.

Eventually, MacDonald returned to Washington, although his sailing career wasn't over. During his time on land, he made a written declaration to the US Congress and spoke highly of the Japanese.

Until his death at the age of 70, he explored the world whenever he could. He passed away in 1894 while visiting his niece.

History aside, this tiny, picturesque park is a fantastic place to visit from late spring until mid-autumn, before the real snowfall begins.

Come check out this little-known piece of local history.

Before today, had you ever heard of the MacDonald grave? Have you ever been to this beautiful park? If so, what was your favorite part? Did you know that this was the smallest state park in Washington? What are some of your favorite Washington state parks? We'd love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!

Would you like a suggestion for another interesting state park adventure? Then be sure to read Hike Through A Hidden Cave, Then Picnic At A Covered Shelter All At This Underrated Washington State Park.

Thinking about taking a vacay soon? Then consider booking your flight via the Dollar Flight Club

If you’re still in the mood for more Washington State adventures, take a look at this video about beautiful Dog Mountain: