Washington’s state land management agencies have designated 12 Discover Pass free days for 2026, meaning visitors to Washington state parks and other public land will not require payment.
On these free days, a Discover Pass is not required to park at Washington state parks or on lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Sno-Park permits are still required when visiting Sno-Parks.
Each of the Discover Pass free days celebrates an important day of the year with the opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature with friends, family or in a moment of well-deserved solitude, according to a news release from Washington State Parks.
The 2026 dates are:
• Thursday, Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day
• Monday, Jan. 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Monday, March 9 – Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday
• Thursday, March 19 – State Parks’ 113th birthday
• Wednesday, April 22 – Earth Day
• Saturday and Sunday, June 6-7 – Free Fishing Weekend
• Friday, June 19 – Juneteenth
• Sunday, Aug. 9 – Smokey Bear’s birthday
• Saturday, Sept. 26 – National Public Lands Day
• Saturday, Oct. 10 – World Mental Health Day
• Wednesday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day
New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, is the first free day of the year.
“It’s the perfect time to lace up those hiking boots or dust off snowshoes and attend one of State Parks’ annual First Day Hikes,” the news release stated. “As part of a national movement to start the year outside, more than 30 state parks will host family-friendly walks on Jan. 1. Several parks will host First Day Hike opportunities for folks with mobility needs. Visitors can find First Day Hikes by region or by park. Hike listings include meeting place, difficulty level, themes, gear recommendations and whether refreshments like cocoa, cider and snacks are provided.”
Discover Pass free days provide free parking and an opportunity to explore:
• Over 100 state parks
• 350 recreation sites
• 700 water access spots
• More than 90 Natural Areas and Natural Resources Conservation Areas
• 33 wildlife areas
Many state parks also offer additional fun programming on free days, including:
• Educational talks and demonstrations
• Ranger-led nature and history walks
• Junior Ranger activities
After checking out state-managed lands during a free day, visitors might be interested in purchasing an annual Discover Pass.
The annual pass is $45 and provides unlimited day-use parking for everyone in the passholder’s vehicle. The pass is valid for an entire year from the month it is purchased and can be transferred between two vehicles.
The Discover Pass provides funding for State Parks, DNR and WDFW. The funds support recreation and conservation opportunities, keeping bathrooms cleaned and trails maintained, caring for the health of forests and protecting seashores.
Learn more about the Discover Pass at https://discoverpass.wa.gov/.
