March 19th, 2014 is the second “fee free days” in 2014, when visitors are not required to display the Discover Pass to visit a Washington State Park.
In 1913 Washington State legislature creates the Washington State Board of Park Commissioners. The first two were formed from donated land in 1915 : The John R. Jackson House, a pioneer heritage site near Chehalis, and the Chuckanut State Park. In 1947 the State Park Committee was renamed to the Washington State Park and Recreation Commission and given the authority to oversee the state park system, purchase land and collect fees.
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| PARK PRESERVES THE 1845 LOG CABIN OF ONE OF THE VERY EARLIEST PIONEERS TO SETTLE IN WASHINGTON. THIS WAS THE FIRST U.S. DISTRICT COURT IN 1850 AND WAS A STOPPING PLACE ALONG THE OREGON TRAIL |
As of June 2011 there are 117 State Parks covering 138,000 acres which includes uplands, lowlands, aquatic and marine life areas. The Washington Department of Natural Resources owns an additional 3,000,000 acres throughout the Evergreen State.
If you plan on visiting and exploring Washington State-managed land this year outside of the Fee Free Days you will need to have a Discover Pass. Fine for not displaying the pass is $99.
Here is a list of some of my favorite State Parks
North Sound State Parks
Bay View State Park
Western Washington
Seattle Area State Parks
Southern Washington
