Free National and State Park Days
From lush temperate rainforests and rugged coastlines to alpine meadows and glacier-capped peaks, the Pacific Northwest is home to an abundance of diverse state and national parks. During select holidays throughout the year, entrance to some parks are free. These fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite.
Note: Free days apply only to day-use fees, not overnight stays or rented facilities and typically do not include Sno-Parks.
Free and Discounted Passes
Some groups—such as veterans, older adults, and foster families—are also eligible to receive free or discounted passes to national and state parks. See the bottom of this page for more details.
First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. On New Year’s Day, hundreds of free, guided hikes are organized in all 50 states. First Day Hikes are led by knowledgeable state park staff and volunteers. The distance and rigor vary from park to park, but all hikes aim to create a fun experience for the whole family. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a tireless advocate for racial equality, working classes, and the oppressed around the world. Commonly called Martin Luther King, Jr. Day or MLK Day, the third Monday of January is a federal holiday to honor his life and legacy. Billy Frank Jr. (1931-2014) was an environmental activist and former chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. His lifelong dedication to protecting endangered salmon and restoring justice for the Nisqually Tribe helped shape Washington’s environmental laws and expand treaty rights for Native Americans nationwide. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission was established in 1913, and oversees 124 state parks across the Evergreen State. To celebrate the Commission’s birthday, entrance to Washington State Parks is free on March 19. National Park Week is an annual celebration of US national parks. This celebration invites us to reflect on what parks mean to us and what they provide for our communities, as well as commit to protecting these cherished places. In spring 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to force pollution onto the national agenda. Twenty million Americans demonstrated in different US cities, and it worked! In December 1970, Congress authorized the creation of a new federal agency to tackle environmental issues, the US Environmental Protection Agency. Juneteenth has been celebrated in Black communities since June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas learned they were free. The news reached them two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth became an official federal holiday in 2021. The Great American Outdoors Act is a historic investment in the protection and sustainment of our public lands and Bureau of Indian Education-funded schools. The Act established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund to address overdue maintenance needs and permanently authorized funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund—a separate fund aimed at safeguarding our natural areas and cultural heritage. National Public Lands Day was established in 1994 and is held annually on the fourth Saturday in September. It celebrates the connection between people and green space in their community, inspires environmental stewardship, and encourages use of open space for education, recreation, and health benefits. World Mental Health Day aims to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilize efforts in support of mental health. It was designated as a free parks day to acknowledge the power of nature to restore mental health. Studies show time spent in nature lowers blood pressure and cortisol levels, helping our bodies combat stress. Veterans Day honors the service of US veterans. Native American Heritage Day is an opportunity for all Americans to learn about the historical status of Native American tribal governments; the present day conditions of Native American people; their traditions and languages; and their rich cultural legacy. Green Friday encourages people to go outside rather than go shopping. A free annual pass is available for current US military members and their dependents. The pass provides free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. On Veterans Day 2022, the National Park Service unveiled a lifetime pass providing free entrance to national parks for Veterans and Gold Star Families. The pass provides free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. US citizens and permanent residents with permanent disability may receive a free, lifetime pass to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six Federal agencies. Every Kid Outdoors was created so fourth graders and their families could discover our national treasures for free. Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours can receive a 12-month pass to national parks. If you plan to visit more than two national parks in a year that charge an entrance fee, it may be worth it to purchase an $80 annual pass. US citizens or permanent residents 62 years or older are eligible for a Lifetime Senior Pass. The Senior Lifetime Pass is valid for your lifetime and costs $80. The pass provides free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. US citizens or permanent residents 62 years or older are eligible for an Annual Senior Pass. The pass is valid for one year and costs $20. The pass provides free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. The Pacific Northwest Region of the US Forest Service contains 17 national forests, two national scenic areas, a national grassland, and two national volcanic monuments, all within the states of Oregon and Washington. This pass provides free entry for fourth graders and their families at 54 amazing state parks throughout the state. California public library-card holders can check out state parks pass via their local public library. This free pass entitles honorably discharged veterans who have California residency and meet certain criteria to free vehicle day use, family camping and boat use at over 100 California state parks. Residents of California with a qualifying income can apply for a free pass to state parks. A lifetime pass for individuals with permanent disabilities, entitling the passholder to a 50% discount on vehicle day-use, family camping, and boat-use fees at state parks. This $20 pass entitles those age 62 and over free vehicle day-use access at over 200 California State Parks-operated units. Limited Use Golden Bear passes are not valid for use during the peak season. Idaho veterans with a service-connected disability, rated at 100% permanent and total, receive free day-use access and one free campsite per stay within Idaho state parks. The Youth Explorer Passes will waive the entry fee for one vehicle for one day to any Idaho state park. The passes may be used for summer reading programs in a variety of ways: Distribute when children sign up for summer reading; give out as prizes for summer reading; take to outreach events. The $10 annual sticker is available for purchase at the time you register your motorhome or passenger vehicle and offers unlimited day-use access to every Idaho state park. Idaho residents showing proof of limited income (Medicaid card) or who sign a limited income form will receive a discount of $4 on camping within Idaho state parks. Those 62 or older will receive 50% off camping fees within select Idaho state parks. The discount is valid Monday – Thursday and excludes holidays. This pass provides free camping and day-use parking to Oregon foster parents, guardians, and parents who have adopted Oregon foster children. The foster children must be present during the park visit. This pass provides free camping and free parking at day-use fee parks to active duty military or veterans with service-connected disabilities. The pass covers entry or day-use fees at dozens of federal fee sites and Oregon state park sites along Highway 101 and the Siuslaw National Forest. Buy an annual vehicle passport for $35 or a 5-day vehicle passport for $10. This program allows users to check out a special Discover Pass at their local library. Library card holders can reserve a limited-edition Discover Pass for a week at a time and can experience day visits at Washington state parks or lands owned by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Natural Resources free of charge. Offered to Washington state residents who are legally blind, profoundly deaf, or who meet the disability definition used by the Social Security Administration. This pass provides free parking, watercraft launch, and trailer dump use at state parks and a 50% discount on nightly camping or moorage fees. Offered to veterans who are Washington state residents with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. Free day-use parking, boat launch, trailer dump, camping, and moorage in state state parks. Community and volunteer groups, youth and outdoor recreational programs, nonprofit, veteran, and other organizations facing barriers to outdoor access can request free Discover Passes. The passes must be used to provide direct access to the outdoors by the applicant and cannot be used for indirect purposes, such as fundraising. Offered to Washington state residents who provide out-of-home care to children as foster parents, caregivers, or kinship families. Free camping (1 site per night) and free day-use parking at Washington state parks. Offered to Washington state residents who are 62 years or older with a household annual income of $40,000 or less. The pass includes free day-use parking, watercraft launch, and trailer dump in Washington state parks and a 50% discount on nightly camping and moorage fees. Offered annually to Washington state residents who are 62 years of age or older. The pass provides one site per night of free camping or moorage. It is valid every day of the week from October 1 to March 31 and Sunday through Thursday in April. Did we miss any key fee-free days or pass discounts in the Pacific Northwest? Please let us know. January
January 1: FIRST DAY HIKES
January 20: MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
March
March 9: BILLY FRANK JUNIOR’S BIRTHDAY
March 19: Washington State Parks’ Birthday
April
April 19: FIRST DAY OF NATIONAL PARK WEEK
April 22: EARTH DAY
June
June 19: JUNETEENTH
August
August 4: GREAT AMERICAN OUTDOORS Day
September
September 27: NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY
October
October 10: WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
November
November 11: VETERANS DAY
November 29: NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY and GREEN FRIDAY
National Parks Discounts
Free Passes
ANNUAL MILITARY PASS
LIFETIME MILITARY PASS
ACCESS PASS
4TH GRADE PASS
VOLUNTEER PASS
Discounted Passes
ANNUAL PASS
SENIOR LIFETIME PASS
SENIOR ANNUAL PASS
NORTHWEST FOREST PASS
California State Parks Discounts
Free Passes
ADVENTURE PASS
CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY PARKS PASS
DISTINGUISHED VETERAN PASS
GOLDEN BEAR PASS
Discounted Passes
DISABLED DISCOUNT PASS
LIMITED USE GOLDEN BEAR PASS
Idaho State Parks Discounts
Free Passes
IDAHO DISABLED VETERANS
YOUTH EXPLORER PASSES
Discounted Passes
IDAHO STATE PARKS PASSPORT
LIMITED INCOME
SENIOR DISCOUNT
Oregon State Parks Discounts
Free Passes
SPECIAL ACCESS PASS FOR FOSTER, GUARDIAN & ADOPTIVE FOSTER PARENTS OF OREGON FOSTER CHILDREN
SPECIAL ACCESS PASS FOR VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES
Discounted Passes
OREGON PACIFIC COAST PASSPORT
Washington State Parks Discounts
Free Passes
CHECK OUT WASHINGTON
DISABILITY PASS
LIFETIME DISABLED VETERAN PASS
EVERYONE OUTDOORS PROGRAM
FOSTER FAMILY PASS
SENIOR CITIZEN LIMITED INCOME PASS
Discounted Passes
SENIOR CITIZEN OFF-SEASON PASS
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