Guess what’s coming up? It’s a FREE day at our state parks (No Discover WA pass needed). If you love the outdoors as much as we do here at Sounds Fun Mom, you’ll want to be sure to put these dates on your calendar! Here are the dates and info you need to know about fee free days at Washington state parks and national parks in 2017! We also have recommendations for our favorite state parks below!
Discover Pass Free Days
If you want vehicle access to state parks or recreation lands managed by the Washington State Parks, you will need a Discover Pass. It will cost you $30 annually, or $10 for a one day pass. But, the following are Discover Pass Free Days:
Discover Pass Free Days
Washington State Parks offers several “free days” when a Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park. Following are the 2017 State Parks free days:
Jan. 1 — First Day Hikes; New Year’s Day
Jan. 15-16 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
March 19 — State Park’s 104th birthday
April 15 — Spring day
April 22 — Earth Day
June 3 — National Trails Day
June 10 — National Get Outdoors Day
Aug. 25 — National Park Service 101st Birthday
Sept. 30 — National Public Lands Day
Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
Nov. 24 — Autumn day
The nature trail at Dash Point State Park
The free days only apply to day use and not overnight stays or rented facilities, or those lands managed by the Washington State Departments of Natural Resources and Fish & Wildlife.
If you decide you want to purchase a Discover Pass, you can buy them online, from over 600 licensed vendors, from the Department of Licensing when you renew your license, at state parks where representatives are present, and at over 80 retail locations.
Two of our favorite South Sound Washington State Parks are Saltwater State Park in Des Moines and Dash Point State Park in Federal Way. Tolmie near Olympia and Kopachuck near Gig Harbor are also great. We’d love to hear about your favorites, too. Leave a comment and spill!
There are also some days when you can get free entry to national parks!
Fee Free Days at National Parks
Hiking at Olympic National Park
2017 Free Days at National Parks
January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 20: Presidents’ Day
April 15-16 and 22-23: Weekends of National Park Week
August 25: National Park Service Birthday
September 30: National Public Lands Day
November 11-12: Veterans Day Weekend
If you are heading toward Mt. Rainier, you might find these posts helpful:
Ten Great Hikes For Kids Near Mt. Rainier
A Kid Friendly Guide To Mt.Rainier
4th Graders FREE to National Parks
In case you haven’t heard, the Every Kid in a Park Initiative allows all 2016-2017 4th graders and their families free access to national parks. Get more info at our post about Every Kid in a Park! PS You can use your free pass for everyone in the car, and it’s good all the way through August! An amazing deal!
5th Grade Ski Passport
If you’ve got a 5th grader and are planning to travel to Eastern Washington or Northern Idaho, your child can get a FREE ski passport to ride or ski at participating slopes. Get all the info at the 5th Grade Ski Passport site.
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What are some of your favorite state or national parks to enjoy with your kiddos?