Submitted by Washington State Parks

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will offer its two final free days of 2020 in November. On these free days, day-use visitors will not need a Discover Pass for vehicle access. Learn more about the Discover Pass by visiting https://www.discoverpass.wa.gov/.

The last two free days of 2020 are Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Friday, Nov. 27.

Since the free days were first designated in 2011, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission established Nov. 11, Veterans Day, as one of its free days to honor those who served in the armed forces. In 2017, the agency set aside the Friday after Thanksgiving as a free day — to encourage people to get outside and visit a state park in autumn.

Free days apply only to day-use access by vehicle, not overnight stays or rented facilities.

About State Parks free days

State Parks free days are in keeping with 2011 legislation that created the Discover Pass, which costs $30 annually or $10 for a one-day visit. The pass is required for vehicle access to state recreation lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources. The Discover Pass legislation directed State Parks to designate up to 12 free days when the pass would not be required to visit state parks. The free days apply only at state parks; the Discover Pass is still required on WDFW and DNR lands.

In September, State Parks announced its free days for 2021, for that announcement, see https://parks.state.wa.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=645.