Plan ahead for free entry at federal, state lands
PUBLIC LANDS -- Federal land managers offer free entry to parks, forests, U.S. Bureau of Land management lands, refuges and other national interest lands where fees are charged on certain holidays scattered through the year.
- Washington State Parks also sets dates for fee-free entry.
The first freebie date of the year links to National Parks Week.
Following is a list of other free-entry dates and participating federal agencies, which vary by holiday:
- Presidents Day weekend, Feb. 15-17 -- National Park Service, National wildlife refuges, national forests.
- National Park Week opening weekend, April 19-20 -- National Park Service.
- National Get Outdoors Day, June 14 -- national forests.
- National Park Service Birthday, Aug. 25 -- National Park Service.
- National Public Lands Day, Sept. 27 -- National Park Service, National wildlife refuges, national forests.
- National Wildlife Refuge Week, first day, Oct 12 -- National wildlife refuges.
- Veterans Day, Nov. 11 -- National Park Service, National wildlife refuges, national forests.
Washington State Parks also offer 11 days in which the Discover Pass is not needed for entry in 2014:
- Jan. 19 and 20 – Martin Luther King holiday.
- March 19 – Washington State Parks birthday.
- April 19 – Spring Saturday Free Day.
- April 22 – Earth Day.
- May 11 – Spring Sunday Free Day.
- June 7 and 8 – National Trails Day and WDFW Free Fishing Weekend.
- June 14 – National Get Outdoors Day.
- Aug. 25 – In honor of National Park Service’s birthday.
- Sept. 27 –National Public Lands Day.
- Nov. 11 – Veterans Day holiday.
Read on for details about year-round free or discounted passes for military, disabled and seniors.
Additionally, active duty military members and their dependents are eligible for a free annual pass that provides entrance to lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the U.S. Forest Service.
The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program also offers a free lifetime pass for people with disabilities, a $10 lifetime senior pass for those age 62 and over, and an $80 annual pass for the general public.
