The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is offering two free days in January, when visitors to state parks will not need a Discover Pass for day-use visits.
The first free day is Monday, Jan. 1, which also coincides with First Day Hikes, a nationwide initiative that aims to get people outdoors on New Year’s Day. More than three dozen Washington state parks are hosting First Day Hikes events. Learn more here: parks.state.wa.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=355.
The second free day is Monday, Jan. 15, in honor of the holiday celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday.
State Parks free days are in keeping with the legislation that created the Discover Pass — a $30 annual or $10 one-day permit required on lands managed by Washington State Parks and the Washington departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and Fish & Wildlife (WDFW). 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 still required to access lands managed by WDFW and DNR on these days.
Washington State Parks will offer 10 more free days in 2018:
Monday, March 19 — State Parks’ 105th Birthday
Saturday, April 14 — Springtime free day
Sunday, April 22 — Earth Day
Saturday, June 2 — National Trails Day
Saturday, June 9 — National Get Outdoors Day
Sunday, June 10 — Free Fishing Day
Saturday, Aug. 25 — National Park Service Birthday
Saturday, Sept. 29 — National Public Lands Day
Sunday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
Friday, Nov. 23 — Autumn free day
Note: The free days do not apply to Sno-Parks during the winter season, December through March.
