Saturday is no-pass day for Washington State Parks

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People will be able to visit Washington State Parks without a Discover Pass on Saturday, Sept. 24 in recognition of National Public Lands Day.

Passes will also not be needed for day-use visits to lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources or Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife that day.

National Public Lands Day was established in 1994 and is held annually on the fourth Saturday in September. It is traditionally the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort. It celebrates the connection between people and public lands — inspiring environmental stewardship and encouraging use of state land for education, recreation, and health benefits.  

Washington State Park officials noted three more free days are scheduled this year: Monday, Oct. 10 (World Mental Health Day); Friday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day); Friday, Nov. 25 (Native American Heritage Day).

The free days align with legislation that created the Discover Pass. 

Discover Passes cost $30 for an annual pass or $10 for a one-day permit. The pass is required for vehicle access to state recreation lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Department of Natural Resources, or the  Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Discover Pass legislation indicated the state could designate up to 12 free days when the pass would not be required to visit state recreation lands.