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 Pearrygin Lake is a stunner in fall. By Jennifer Hambleton
Mark your calendars: No Discover Pass required on these 2026 days
Washington public land agencies have designated the 12 days of 2026 when no Discover Pass is required to park at Washington state parks, or on land managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The 2026 free days are:
- Thursday, Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day and First Day Hikes
- 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 – 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
Each date commemorates a special day of the year, starting with New Year’s Day on Jan. 1, when more than 40 state parks will host annual First Day Hikes events.
Try before you buy a full year of adventure
Discover Pass free days make it easier to check out state parks and state-managed lands. You might have so much fun during your visit, you're ready to say yes to a full year of adventure.
The annual Discover 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.
And Discover Pass funds go a long way for your public lands. They provide critical funding for State Parks, DNR and WDFW. The Discover Pass supports recreation and conservation opportunities, keeps bathrooms cleaned and trails maintained, cares for the health of forests and helps protect our seashores for generations to come.
Learn more about the Discover Pass and purchase yours here.
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 This raccoon at Hope Island reminds us all to keep a clean campsite. By Luke Noble
 A beaver gets busy at Deception Pass. By Becky Snijder van Wissenkerke
 Is this my best side? This handsome mule deer buck in Riverside State Park is looking for mates, as well as food and shelter. By John Ashley
 As a matter of fact, the elk do own the road at Dosewallips when they show up in winter. Drive carefully and steer clear! By Meryl Lassen
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 After the first snow at Mount Spokane, a bear was out and about and left this print for staff to find. By Camryn Harbert
 This porcupine at Yakima Sportsman looks fuzzy, but best to view this critter from afar - and keep your dog away too! By Emily Masseth
 A river otter drinks from a creek at Deception Pass. By Becky Snijder van Wissenkerke
 A flock of pelicans rest on the water off Birch Bay State Park. By Ronan MacKenzie
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Our parks aren't just fun places to camp and recreate – they're where many Washington wildlife call home!
Remember: If you see these or any other wildlife in our parks, please view them from a respectful distance, move slowly and quietly, do not feed them and always keep your dog on a leash.
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 Crab Creek Trestle and shrub steppe landscape on the Palouse to Cascades Trail
Our longest trail has had an eventful year, and we're excited to share what we’ve accomplished and what’s to come.
You're invited to attend a free webinar on Nov. 20 from 2-3:30 p.m. to learn more about some of the projects and activities we've completed on the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail in 2025. The webinar is also an exciting opportunity to get a sneak peek at what’s to come in 2026.
The webinar presentation will include:
- An update on the renovation of the historic Kittitas Depot, located near Ellensburg
- An overview of all the interpretive improvements led by the State Parks Exhibit Program
- A Q&A with State Parks staff
You must register in advance to attend. We can't wait to see you there!
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The inaugural nomination round for the Scenic Bikeways Program closes Nov. 30 – have you submitted your route?
We’re calling on organizations and individuals to submit bike routes they think should become Washington State’s first designated Scenic Bikeways.
The pilot nomination round will advance up to 15 proposed routes for further consideration. Learn more about what makes a good nomination, the selection process and then submit your route here.
Our motorized all-terrain Action Trackchair has a new winter home – Riverside State Park! The chair, awarded to State Parks by the Bronco Wild Fund and Washington State Parks Foundation, was at Lake Sammamish until now.
Here's what you need to know to book the Trackchair during your next visit to Riverside:
- The Trackchair must be booked in advance by calling the park office at (509) 465-5064.
- Timeslots are currently available Mondays/Fridays, 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
- Reservations are open Dec. 1 and beyond.
- The Trackchair will be allowed on two trails, one in the Trautman Conservation Area and one on the Spokane River.
- Trails will be marked for chair use and have two difficulty levels.
- The Trackchair can be used in temperatures above 24*F.
- Borrowers must sign a waiver and bring a friend to help them transition to and from their regular chair, if needed.
- Borrowers must bring a friend or a cell phone to use the Trackchair on the trails.
The Trackchair has allowed scores of visitors to use the Lake Sammamish trails through Outdoors For All Foundation’s Adaptive Cycling Center. It is expected to return there in May.
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If you’ve been to Larrabee State Park recently, you may have noticed construction at the Lost Lake trailhead.
Crews have installed an EV charging station in the parking lot. The new Level 2 EV charger is available for public use (you must display your Discover Pass to park) starting next week. The station can charge two cars at once.
This is the only state park EV station in northwestern Washington. Lake Sammamish near Seattle, Schafer near Elma, Ginkgo Petrified Forest near Vantage and Daroga south of Chelan, also have EV chargers.
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Always check for park alerts and closures before heading out on an adventure!
When you’re putting together your pre-trip checklist, make sure it includes checking the conditions at your intended destination. Here are a few parks with active alerts:
Cape Disappointment camping is closed until summer of 2026 for major renovations
Steptoe Butte is closed until the end of the year for road construction
Dry Falls Visitor Center will close in January 2026 for major renovations
Rainbow Falls camping will close for the winter season from Dec. 1 to March 31
Check the full list of alerts here.
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First Day Hikes are just a few weeks away!
Can you believe 2025 is nearly over? That sure went by fast! The new year is right around the corner and what better way to welcome it than with a First Day Hike in a WA state park?
On Jan. 1, join us for one of 40 guided hikes across the state.
Last year, over 1,800 participants hiked, rode horses, cycled and snowshoed more than 2,750 miles with our State Parks staff to celebrate the start of the new year outdoors.
Each hike is a chance to explore new trails, recharge for the year ahead and connect with community in our beautiful state parks.
Note: Most First Day Hikes require advanced registration, and group sizes may be limited. Visit our website to view all activities and registration information.
All hikes are free and a Discover Pass is NOT needed to park on state managed lands on Jan. 1, our first free day of 2026. However, if you plan to participate in a First Day Hike at a park that becomes a Sno-Park in winter (Fields Spring State Park, Lake Easton State Park, Lake Wenatchee State Park and Mount Spokane State Park), a Sno-Park permit is required.
Start your 2026 with fresh air, good company and a great view!
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