The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission released a statement on Tuesday inviting visitors to come to state parks for free on June 11, June 12 and June 19. On those days, visitors will not need to have a Discover Pass to access Washington state parks or Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) land.
The free days are being held in honor of National Get Outdoors Day on Saturday, June 11, Free Fishing Day on Sunday, June 12, and Juneteenth on Sunday, June 19.
According to the commission's statement, “Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. It officially became a federal holiday on June 17, 2021, and now marks an annual free day for state lands.”
Annual Discover Passes are $30 and one-day permits are $10. Normally, a Discover Pass is required for vehicle access of Parks and Recreation, DNR and WDFW land. Discover Passes provide access to state parks during the daytime, while overnight visitors in state parks must pay fees for camping and overnight accommodations. Overnight fees include day access.
The remaining 2022 State Park free days include:
• Saturday, Sept. 24 — National Public Lands Day
• Monday, Oct. 10 — World Mental Health Day
• Friday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
• Friday, Nov. 25 — Native American Heritage Day
For more information on Discover Passes, you can visit www.DiscoverPass.wa.gov.
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