Washington State Parks (WSP) has 12 free days in 2023 where visitors will not be required to have a Discover Pass to park at state parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) lands.
A Discover Pass costs $30 to $35 for a year of access to state lands. A day-use pass costs $10.
“When you buy the Discover Pass, you are helping to keep the state’s wonderful outdoor recreation sites open and accessible to the public,” it says on the WSP website.
Washington State Legislature and Governor Christine Gregoire created Discover Passes in 2011 to offset reductions in general tax support for WSP, DNR and WDFW recreation lands and facilities, according to the WSP website.
Popular state parks in the area include Larrabee, Birch Bay, Peace Arch Historical, Sucia Island, Saddlebag Island, Bay View and Deception Pass along with Rasar and Rockport off North Cascades Highway.
The upcoming Discover Pass free days this year are:
• Monday, January 16 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Thursday, March 9 – Billy Frank Junior’s Birthday
• Sunday, March 19 – State Parks’ 110th Birthday
• Saturday, April 22 – Earth Day
• Saturday, June 10 – National Get Outdoors Day
• Sunday, June 11 – Free Fishing Day
• Monday, June 19 – Juneteenth
• Saturday, September 23 – National Public Lands Day
• Tuesday, October 10 – World Mental Health Day
• Saturday, November 11 – Veterans Day
• Saturday, November 25 – Autumn Day
This article has been updated to correct that a Discover Pass is not required on DNR and WDFW lands during the 12 free days in 2023. We regret the error.
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