Washington State Parks announces 12 days in 2025 when Discover Passes won’t be needed

By The Chronicle staff
Posted 1/15/25

The Washington State Discover Pass Program has designated 12 days when a Discover Pass will not be needed to visit state parks and other state lands in 2025. 

On these days, visitors will …

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Washington State Parks announces 12 days in 2025 when Discover Passes won’t be needed

Posted

The Washington State Discover Pass Program has designated 12 days when a Discover Pass will not be needed to visit state parks and other state lands in 2025. 

On these days, visitors will not need a Discover Pass to park a vehicle at a Washington state park or on lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

2025’s Discover Pass free days are:

• Monday, Jan. 20 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Sunday, March 9 — Billy Frank Jr.’s Birthday

• Wednesday, March 19 — State Parks’ 112th Birthday

• Tuesday, April 22 — Earth Day

• Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8 — Free Fishing Weekend

• Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth



• Saturday, Aug. 9 — Smokey Bear’s Birthday

• Saturday, Sept. 27 — National Public Lands Day

• Friday, Oct. 10 — World Mental Health Day

• Monday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day

The Discover Pass costs $30 to $35 annually, or $10 to $11.50 for a one-day visit, depending on the point of purchase. The pass is required to park on state lands managed by State Parks, DNR and WDFW.

Purchasing a Discover Pass helps all three agencies preserve and conserve public lands for future generations, according to Washington State Parks. The Discover Pass legislation directed all three agencies to designate up to 12 free days when the pass would not be required to visit state-managed lands. 

The free days do not apply to Sno-Parks. During the winter season, November through April, visitors to Sno-Parks will need a Sno-Park permit. These permits are available for purchase online or from vendors throughout the state.

For more information about winter recreation permit requirements, visit https://parks.wa.gov/passes-permits/permits/sno-park-permits