The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission would like to remind the public that three dates in June are state parks ‘free days.’ The following days are free for day-use visits to state parks; visitors are not required to display a Discover Pass:

• June 7 — National Trails Day

• June 7-8 — Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Free Fishing Weekend

• June 14 — National Get Outdoors Day

Free days are in keeping with legislation that created the Discover Pass, a $30 annual or $10 one-day permit required on recreation lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Discover Pass legislation provided that State Parks could designate up to 12 ‘free days’ each year when the pass would not be required to visit state parks. The Discover Pass is required to access lands managed by WDFW and DNR on these days.

The free days apply only to day use at state parks, not for overnight stays or rented facilities. The Discover Pass provides daytime access to parks. Overnight visitors are charged fees for camping and other overnight accommodations, and day access is included in the overnight fee.

For more information about state parks ‘free days’ for 2014 visit: www.parks.wa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=22

For more information about WDFW’s Free Fishing Weekend, visit: http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/free/