State Parks updates roofed accommodation, other fees to support operations

OLYMPIA — March 17, 2026 — The Washington State Parks system is older than the National Parks system and stewards 122,000 acres of land in every corner of the state. Many of the icons that signify place in Washington can be found in a state park – the Deception Pass bridge, the state waterfall at Palouse Falls, orca off the point at Lime Kiln and so much more. 

State parks are beloved by residents and travelers alike. They see the most visitors despite having the fewest acres of any state-managed lands agency – more than 40 million visitors a year. And of those, 2.3 million choose to stay the night in one of more than 100 parks.  

The revenue State Parks earns from roofed accommodations, camping, Discover Pass sales and other fees is a core funding stream that helps keep state parks staffed, operational and open for access to all Washingtonians.  

To continue to meet the needs of its visitors, the agency is increasing a few of its fees in 2026 and early 2027. The fee increases include the Senior Off-Season Pass, non-resident reservation fee and roofed accommodation fees, which apply to cabins, yurts and vacation homes.  

Fee changes 

Effective April 1, 2026, the non-resident reservation fee will change from $5 to $15. Reservations made before April 1, 2026, will not be affected by the fee change.  

The average non-resident reservation is two nights or more, so this fee change adds less than $5 per night to an average stay while shifting a small percentage of the user fee burden away from Washington residents.  

Effective Sept. 1, 2026, the Senior Off-Season Pass will increase from $75 to $100. The additional nightly utility fee will also increase from $10 to $12. Senior Limited Income Pass holders will continue receiving a 50% discount on the Senior Off-Season Pass. 

This is the first time both the Senior Off-Season Pass and the non-resident reservation fee have been adjusted in over a decade. 

Effective Jan. 1, 2027, roofed accommodation fees will increase. Adirondack, teepee and some vacation rental fees will not change. Cabin and yurt pricing will also be standardized to provide customers with more consistency and transparency during the booking process.  

Because visitors are able to book reservations up to nine months in advance of their stay, customers will begin to see updated fees on April 1, 2026, for stays beginning Jan. 1, 2027. 

Discount pass program 

State Parks recognizes rising costs aren’t just impacting the agency – they’re impacting park visitors as well, so any fee adjustments are made under careful consideration. Since 2019, utility costs have increased by more than 37 percent, and cabin construction costs have increased by more than 90 percent.  

In 2025, in response to the state’s budget shortfall, the Legislature reduced State Parks’ general fund appropriations and added new costs to the agency. Approximately 71% of the funding for State Parks must come from earned revenue. 

However, the agency believes in the need to balance rising costs with equitable access to the outdoors and continues to explore opportunities to break down barriers to recreation.  

The agency currently administers five discount pass programs that offer discounted or free camping to eligible residents.  

State Parks also has 12 Discover Pass Free Days in 2026, and programs like Check Out Washington and Everyone Outdoors that provide community members and organizations with the opportunity to visit State Parks with donated Discover Passes.  

Learn about other free ways to visit state lands at discoverpass.wa.gov.