Take advantage of free entrance days in National Parks and Washington State Parks throughout the year. Mark your calendar for these fee-free days. Plan an outing with family or friends at the nearest park. Or, get away to another park around Washington State.
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Short History of Our National Parks
In 1872 in the Territories of Montana and Wyoming, Yellowstone national park was established as a public park for the benefit and enjoyment of all people. Thus began not only a national, but a worldwide park movement. Several key events established the National Park Service:
In 1906, The Antiquities Act signed by President Theodore Roosevelt grew out of a movement to protect the prehistoric cliff dwellings, pueblo ruins and early missions in the Southwest. Nearly a quarter of the units currently in the National Park System originated in whole or part from the Antiquities Act.
By 1916 the Department of Interior oversaw 14 national parks, 21 national monuments, and the Hot Springs and Casa Grande Ruin reservations. However, there was no unified leadership or organization to operate them, leaving them vulnerable to competing interests. Congress passed what is often known as the Organic Act, which established the basis for the mission, philosophy, and policies of the National Park Service.
In 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt through executive orders transferred the War Department’s parks and monuments, the national monuments held by the Forest Service, and the parks in the nation’s capital to the National Park Service, including the responsibility for virtually all monuments created thereafter. The reorganization was one of the most significant events in the evolution of the National Park System, greatly expanding their holdings, establishing a single national system of parklands, and adding responsibility for historic preservation as a primary mission of the Service.
Many other acts have continued to refine and expand national parks, including the 1966 Act required that all historical parks be entered in the National Register of Historic Places, the 1968 National Trails System Act, the 1973 he Endangered Species Act, the 1998 National Park Omnibus Management Act, and many others.
Today, the U.S. National Park System now includes over 400 areas covering more than 84 million acres in 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin Islands. In addition, more than 100 nations contain some 1,200 national parks or preserves.
In the U.S., more than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s national parks and work with communities across the nation to preserve local history and create recreational opportunities. America’s Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better with fee-free days at more than 100 national parks nationwide that usually charge entrance fees*.
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Dungeness Bay in the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge – DepositPhotos.com
2023 National Parks Free Entrance Days
Take advantage of Free Entrance Days in the National Parks (nps.gov) throughout the year. Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2023:
- January 16: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- April 22: First day of National Park Week
- August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- September 23: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day
National Parks in Washington State
The following National Parks in Washington State take part in national free entrance days. The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours. But many national park concessioners join the National Park Service to welcome visitors with their own special offers.
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
- Mount Rainier National Park
- Olympic National Park
Paradise meadows covered with autumn colors at Mount Rainier national park photo by neelsky via iStockphotos by Getty Images
Always free Washington State National parks
There are more than 400 national parks available to everyone, every day across the country. The above free entrance days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite, especially one of the national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. Many others are free all the time, including the following national sites in Washington State:
- Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve
- Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
- Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
- Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
- Manhattan Project National Historical Park
- Minidoka National Historic Site
- Nez Perce National Historical Park
- North Cascades National Park
- Oregon National Historic Trail
- San Juan Island National Historical Park
- Whitman Mission National Historic Site
- Wing Luke Museum Affiliated Area
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In Olympic National Park, Elwha River at Goblins Gate photo by Jeff Taylor is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Washington State Parks Free Entrance Days
In 1872, when Yellowstone was set aside as the world’s first national park, it marked the start of a new attitude toward the American outdoors. Citizens gradually came to see value in saving tracts of open space for everyone to enjoy. By 1900, three more national parks had been added (including Mount Rainier National Park in 1899). A few states had begun to develop public parks of their own. In 1921, when the first National Conference of State Parks was held, 29 states still had not established any state parks at all. However, Washington State already boasted seven even though the Parks Board was only a few years old.
Between 1921-1928, when car ownership increased, Washington State added a dozen more sites. By 1950, the number had increased to 130. These included several marine parks—the first in an extensive system of parks designed just for boaters. Over the next decade, annual attendance at state parks soars from 1.6 million to seven million by 1960.
Washington State Parks free entrance days also occur throughout the year. On these days, the Discover Pass is not required to visit a Washington State Park. Note: A Discover Pass will still be required on free entrance days to access lands managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
About the Washington State Discover Pass
Discover Pass (discoverpass.wa.gov) is required for vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It’s your ticket to unlimited access to millions of state managed lands across Washington state for a year, including state parks, water-access points, heritage sites, wildlife and natural areas, trails and trailheads.
You can buy a Discover Pass online. Several Washington state parks are equipped with automated pay stations for visitors to purchase Discover Passes upon arriving at the park. More info: Where to Buy | Discover Pass, WA – Official Website
2023 Washington State Parks Free Entrance Days
Free days apply only to day use (not overnight stays or rented facilities). Note: Sno-Park permits are still required on free days during the winter season.
- Jan. 1 — First Day Hikes; New Year’s Day
- Jan. 16 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- March 9 — Billy Frank Junior’s Birthday
- March 19 — State Parks’ 110th Birthday
- April 22 — Earth Day
- June 10 — National Get Outdoors Day
- June 11 — Free Fishing Day
- June 19 — Juneteenth
- Sept. 23 — National Public Lands Day
- Oct. 10 — World Mental Health Day
- Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
- Nov. 25 — Autumn Day
On the Washington State Parks website, you can use the search feature to Find a Park by region or by name and plan your next getaway.
2023 Washington State Parks calendar on sale now!
The Washington State Parks wall calendar features brilliant color photos that represent some of the park system’s premier and unique features. Each year’s calendar is filled with amazing photos of some of the best locations from around our state. BONUS: You’ll never forget a free state park day! They are all listed on the calendar. It is a great reminder to plan your outdoor adventures year-round.
Hint: Washington State Parks wall calendar makes a great gift! Calendars sell for $24.00 plus tax. Discounts are given for multiple orders. More info: https://washington.goingtocamp.com/store/ and Calendar (goingtocamp.com)
But wait, there’s more!
- 10 best free outdoor activities year-round
- Most amazing natural wonders in Washington State
- Best summer vacation ideas in Washington State
- 7 affordable winter sports on ice and snow
- Where to watch wildlife in Washington State (free!)
- Guide to Washington State Wine Growing Regions
- Bird Watching in the Puget Sound region
- More Getaways & Day Trips
- And here’s a list of 101+ always free things to do for fun
- More free and cheap things to do every day: Greater Seattle on the Cheap event calendar
- Still more ideas for frugal fun: Greater Seattle on the Cheap home page
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