The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announces that Sunday, Jan. 18 and Monday, Jan. 19 are the next state parks “free days” when visitors are not required to display the Discover Pass for day visits at state parks. These two dates are to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.
The “free days” are in keeping with legislation that created the Discover Pass—a $30 annual or $10 one-day permit required on state recreation lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The Discover Pass legislation provided that State Parks could designate up to 12 “free days” when the pass would not be required to visit state parks. The free days apply only for day visits at state parks; the Discover Pass is still required to access WDFW and DNR lands. Camping and overnight fees are still required at state parks. In addition, Sno-Park permits are also required on free days.
In 2015, State Parks offers 12 free days, the first of which was on Jan. 1. The other free days for 2015 are:
- March 19 – (Thursday) Washington State Parks’ 102nd birthday
- April 4 – (Saturday) A springtime free Saturday
- April 22 – (Wednesday) Earth Day
- May 10 – (Sunday) A springtime free Sunday
- June 6 – (Saturday) National Trails Day
- June 13 – (Saturday) National Get Outdoors Day
- August 25 – (Tuesday) National Park Service 99th birthday
- September 26 – (Saturday) National Public Lands Day
- November 11 – (Wednesday) Veterans Day
State Parks hopes the free days will encourage people to get out and discover a new park or revisit an old favorite and then consider supporting recreation on state lands by purchasing a Discover Pass. More information about the pass is here:www.discoverpass.wa.gov
