No Discover Pass needed to visit parks on designated days
OLYMPIA – Oct. 7, 2015 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announces Friday, Jan. 1 is the first of 12 “free days” in 2016 when visitors are not required to display the Discover Pass to visit a state park.
The “free days” are in keeping with legislation that created the Discover Pass. The pass costs for an $30 annual pass or $10 for a one-day permit and is required for vehicle access to state recreation lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources. 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 at state parks; the Discover Pass is still required on WDFW and DNR lands.
“We are happy to offer the free days to give folks a chance to check out some of the parks,” said State Parks Director Don Hoch. “We hope that the free days give people a taste of the parks that are out there to enjoy and that they will consider buying a pass to support the park system. We appreciate our pass holders and really depend on revenue from the Discover Pass program to keep operating parks.”
The 2016 State Parks free days are as follows:
- January 1 – (Thursday) New Year’s Day and State Parks’ First Day Hikes Day
- January 17 and 18 – (Sunday and Monday) Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- March 19 – (Saturday) Washington State Parks’ 103rd birthday
- March 26 – (Saturday) A springtime free Saturday
- April 22 – (Friday) Earth Day
- May 8 – (Sunday) A springtime free Sunday
- June 4 – (Saturday) National Trails Day
- June 11 – (Saturday) National Get Outdoors Day
- Aug. 25 – (Thursday) National Park Service 100th birthday
- Sept. 24 – (Saturday) National Public Lands Day
- Nov. 11 – (Friday) Veterans Day
More information about the Discover Pass is at www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
Follow Washington State Parks:
Share your favorite state park adventure on the State Parks’ blog site at www.AdventureAwaits.com.
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Media contacts:
Toni Droscher (360) 902-8604
Virginia Painter (360) 902-8562
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
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