Discover Pass

A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). One pass can be transferred between two vehicles. The fees are as follows (add transaction/dealer fees, $5 for the annual Discover Pass and $1.50 for the one-day pass.):

• Annual pass: $30
• One-day pass: $10

Exemptions

Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands. However, you do not need to purchase the pass under the following circumstances:

• If you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, including vacation houses, environmental learning centers, yurts, and cabins, you will not need a Discover Pass for access to the state park where you are staying for the duration of your stay. If you visit other state parks in the area or other state recreation lands managed by WDFW or DNR, a Discover Pass will be required.
• Disabled veterans and other Washington State Parks pass holders registered through Washington State Parks do not need to purchase a Discover Pass for access to Washington state parks. A Permanent Disability Parking Permit, issued by the Washington State Department of Licensing, also entitles you to free day use. You will need to purchase the Discover Pass for access to lands managed by WDFW and DNR. To apply for a State Parks pass, complete and submit the appropriate pass application.
• You will not need a Discover Pass to launch your boat from a state park boat launch if you have the annual Natural Investment Permit. You will need the Discover Pass for boat launches managed by DNR and WDFW.
• Sno-Park permit holders do not need a Discover Pass to use a designated Sno-Park between Nov. 1 and March 31 for winter recreation activities. The Sno-Park permit exemption does not apply to non-winter recreation activities.

For more information and other exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass website.

Discover Pass free days

Following are the 2023 State Park free days

• Jan. 1 — First Day Hikes; New Year’s Day
• Jan. 16 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• March 9 — Billy Frank Junior's Birthday
• March 19 — State Parks’ Birthday
• April 22  — Earth Day
• June 10 — National Get Outdoors Day
• June 11 — Free Fishing Day
• June 19 — Juneteenth
• Sept. 23 — National Public Lands Day
• Oct. 10 — World Mental Health Day
• Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
• Nov. 24 — Autumn Day

You will NOT need a Discover Pass when visiting state park, Washington Department of Natural Resources or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lands on Discover Pass Free Days. Please note, free days apply only to day use (not overnight stays or rented facilities). Sno-Park permits are still required on free days at designated Sno-Parks during the winter season.

Automated pay stations

Several Washington state parks are equipped with automated pay stations for visitors to purchase one-day and annual Discover Passes upon arriving at the park. Following is the list of parks that currently have automated pay stations: