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The original item was published from 8/8/2018 1:04:42 PM to 8/8/2018 1:05:31 PM.

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Posted on: August 8, 2018

[ARCHIVED] 18-050 Next State Parks ‘free day’ is Aug. 25


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Toni Droscher, (360) 902-8604


Special day celebrates the National Park System’s 102nd birthday

OLYMPIA – Aug. 8, 2018 – To celebrate the National Park System’s 102nd birthday, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is offering free entrance to state parks on Saturday, Aug. 25. Day-use visitors will not need a Discover Pass to visit state parks by vehicle.

“The National Park Service is celebrating its birthday this year as ‘something new for 102,’” said Don Hoch, Director of Washington State Parks. “We think that’s a great idea, and we encourage visitors to take advantage of the free day by visiting a park they’ve never been to before or by trying a new activity at a favorite park.”

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.

While Washington State Parks and the National Park Service are different entities, the two agencies share a rich tradition of stewarding the lands they manage. Many state parks are located within an hour’s drive of  Washington’s national parks:


Washington state park
National parkTravel time by car
Battle Ground Lake State Park
Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
35 minutes
Fort Townsend Historical State Park
Olympic National Park
1 hour
Bogachiel State Park
Olympic National Park
43 minutes
Lime Kiln Point State Park
San Juan Island National Historical Park
16 minutes
Rockport State Park
North Cascades National Park
32 minutes
Rasar State Park
North Cascades National Park
40 minutes
Fort Ebey State Park
Fort Casey Historical State Park
Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve
10 minutes
Federation Forest State Park
Mount Rainier National Park
40 minutes
Nisqually State ParkMount Rainier National Park36 minutes
Nolte State Park
Mount Rainier National Park
1 hour


In addition, many Washington state parks are within the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail:

  • Beacon Rock State Park
  • Columbia Hills State Park
  • Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
  • Lyons Ferry State Park
  • Palouse Falls State Park
  • Steamboat Rock State Park
  • Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park
  • Yakima Sportsman State Park


To find a Washington state park, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/281/Parks 

Three more State Parks free days are available in 2018:

  • Saturday, Sept. 22 — National Public Lands Day
  • Sunday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
  • Friday, Nov. 23 — Autumn free day

The Discover Pass provides daytime access to parks. Overnight visitors in state parks are charged fees for camping and other overnight accommodations; day access is included in the overnight fee. For information about Discover Pass, visit 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 http://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


Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W.
P.O. Box 42650
Olympia, WA 98504-2650

Washington Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388

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