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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Wash. state parks celebrates 100 years with free entry Saturday

South Sound Area Kayakers Club members Gerry Hodge, left, Holly Henry and Ted Henry paddle together during a trip from Boston Harbor, north of Olympia, to Hope Island State Park in Washington. Seattle Times (Seattle Times / The Spokesman-Review)
South Sound Area Kayakers Club members Gerry Hodge, left, Holly Henry and Ted Henry paddle together during a trip from Boston Harbor, north of Olympia, to Hope Island State Park in Washington. Seattle Times (Seattle Times / The Spokesman-Review)

PARKS -- Washington State Parks were founded 100 years ago this month. In one of many treats and celebrations to come this year, the park system has designated Saturday a "free day:" vechicles will not be required to display the Discover Pass to visit a state park.

The State Parks and Recreation Commission selected most of its 2013 “free days” in conjunction with the National Park Service’s free days. State Parks’ remaining free day schedule for 2013 is as follows:
  • March 30 – in honor of Washington State Parks’ 100th birthday month
  • April 27 and 28 – National Parks Week
  • June 1 – National Trails Day
  • June 8 and 9 – National Get Outdoors Day
  • Aug. 4 – Peak season free day
  • Sept. 28 – National Public Lands Day
  • Nov. 9 -11 – Veterans Day weekend.
The “free days” are in keeping with legislation that created the Discover Pass, a $30 annual or $10 one-day permit required on state-managed recreation lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources.


Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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