Sept. 28 is next State Parks free day

OLYMPIA – Sept. 9, 2019 – In honor of National Public Lands Day, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to visit a state park for free on Saturday, Sept. 28. No Discover Pass will be required for day-use visits by vehicle.

National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation.

State Parks free days are in keeping with 2011 legislation that created the Discover Pass, which costs $30 annually or $10 for a one-day visit. The pass is required for vehicle access to 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 directed State Parks to designate up to 12 free days when the pass would not be required to visit state parks. The free days apply only at state parks; the Discover Pass is still required on WDFW and DNR lands.

Two more State Parks free days are available in 2019:

• Monday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day

• Friday, Nov. 29— Autumn free day

For more information about NPLD, visit https://www.neefusa.org/npld. The public is encouraged to follow and participate in the environmental stewardship conversation on social media using the hashtag #NPLD.

About the Discover Pass

The Discover Pass offers visitors access to millions of acres of state recreation lands in Washington, including state parks, primitive recreation sites, water-access points such as boat launches, land and water trails, and natural and wildlife areas. Purchase of a Discover Pass helps keep the state’s wonderful outdoor recreation sites open and accessible to the public. For more information, visit: www.discoverpass.wa.gov/31/About-the-Pass