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Free Washington Discover Pass: What You Should Know

Do you need a Free Washington Discover Pass, especially for Washington’s greatest parks and recreation areas? It’s quite affordable and goes for just $30-$35 per year. Some Washington residents can skip the purchase altogether.

Free Washington Discover Pass

Free Washington Discover Pass

You should know that Disabled Veterans and disabled Washington State residents do not need a Discover Pass to access state parks.

Also, seniors are eligible for discounts on camping and moorage. Foster families do not need a Discover Pass. Hunters and fishers do not need a Discover Pass to access WDFW land.

However, Chelan PUD customers can get a free day-use pass and volunteers can receive a free Discover Pass.

Benefits of the Free Washington Discover Pass

The Discover Pass offers you access to millions of acres of state recreation lands in Washington, including:

1. More than 100 developed state parks

2. More than 350 primitive recreation sites, including campgrounds and picnic areas

3. Nearly 700 water-access points

4. Nearly 2,000 miles of designated water and land recreation trails

5. More than 80 natural areas

6. More than 30 wildlife areas

Above all, note that the Washington State Legislature and Governor created the Discover Pass in 2011 to offset steep reductions in general tax support for parks.

Moreover, it was also made for recreation lands and facilities operated by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

Today, when you buy the Discover Pass, you are helping to keep the state’s wonderful outdoor recreation sites open and accessible to the public.

Types of Free Washington Discover Pass Issued

Free Washington Discover Pass

1. One-Day Pass

Otherwise called the Day-use pass, this pass goes for just $10, and it serves for the date marked on the pass.

At the end of the day, this pass will be voided and cannot be used any other day.

2. Annual Pass

On the other hand, there is another pass tagged ‘Annual Pass’. The annual pass goes for slightly higher than the former at a rate of $30.

It serves for an extended period of one year from the date of purchase.

However, despite its free tags, note that transaction fees may apply though not as lofty as they should be due to state interventions.

3. One Pass, Two Vehicles

This type called the Annual Discover Pass is transferable between two vehicles only.

Once you obtain it, you are to simply write both plate numbers on the pass.

Unless stated otherwise, the pass can only be used on one vehicle at a time, and you are not to duplicate the pass.

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How to Display the Free Washington Discover Pass

Free Washington Discover Pass

The pass must be visible on the front windshield of a motor vehicle licensed for street use.

For maximum visibility, hang the pass from the rearview mirror with the license plate numbers and expiration date facing the windshield.

However, for vehicles without a windshield, the pass must be displayed in a prominent location on the vehicle.

Motorcycle riders, however, may carry the pass with them on lands managed by DNR and WDFW.

Meanwhile, at state parks, they are to use the fee envelope at the self-pay station and write the Discover Pass serial number on the envelope tab.

Furthermore, they are to leave the tab on the motorcycle and place the fee envelope in the self-pay station box.

For a day-use pass for a motorcyclist, insert $10 into the fee envelope deposit it in the pay station, and leave the tab on the motorcycle.

Discover Pass Penalties and Terms for Use

The penalty for not having a Discover Pass is pegged at a fee of $99.

However, the fine may be reduced to $59 if an individual provides proof of purchase of an annual Discover Pass to the court within 15 days after the notice of violation is written.

Note that you do not need the pass to access state recreation lands by boat or by non-motorized means (foot, horse, bicycle, etc.).

However, motor vehicles used to transport recreation equipment, such as vehicles pulling horse or boat trailers, must display the pass.

As an exemption, the trailers being towed that are carrying the equipment do not need a Discover Pass, but boaters will still need to pay for such services as moorage and waste pumping.

If you just want to drive through state recreation lands managed by DNR and WDFW and you do not leave your vehicle, you do not need a pass.

Discover Pass Exemptions and Exceptions

Exemptions and Exceptions

Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands.

However, you do not need to purchase the pass under the following circumstances:

1. If you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, including vacation houses, and cabins, you will not need a Discover Pass for access to the state park where you are staying for the duration of your stay.

2. Disabled veterans and other Washington State Parks pass holders registered through Washington State Parks do not need to purchase a Discover Pass for access to Washington State Parks.

3. You will not need a Discover Pass to launch your boat from a state park boat launch if you have the annual Natural Investment Permit.

You will need the Discover Pass for boat launches managed by DNR and WDFW.

4. Sno-Park permit holders do not need a Discover Pass to use a designated Sno-Park between Nov. 1 and March 31 for winter recreation activities.

The Sno-Park permit exemption does not apply to non-winter recreation activities.

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Washington Discover Pass Free Days

Free Days

Washington State Parks offers several “free days” when a Discover Pass is not required to visit a state park. Following are the 2021 State Parks free days:

  • 1 — First Day Hikes; New Year’s Day
  • 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • March 19 — State Park’s 107th birthday
  • April 11— Spring day
  • April 22 — Earth Day
  • June 6/7 — National Trails Day/Fishing Day respectively
  • June 13 — National Get Outdoors Day
  • 25 — National Park Service 104th Birthday
  • 26 — National Public Lands Day
  • 11 — Veterans Day
  • 27 — Autumn day

Please note that free days apply only to day use (not overnight stays or rented facilities).

A Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by the Washington State Departments of Natural Resources and Fish & Wildlife on these days (unless noted).

Sno-Park permits are still required on free days at designated Sno-Parks during the winter season.

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