From the Washington Department of Natural Resources:

Washington State Parks and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announce changes in requirements to visiting winter recreation areas in Washington state. The changes affect whether a Sno-Park permit or a Discover Pass will be required to access state-managed winter recreation areas and Sno-Parks.

 

Visitors who have a current seasonal Sno-Park permit will not need to purchase a Discover Pass to visit a designated Sno-Park area between November 1 and March 31 for winter recreation activities. The seasonalSno-Park permit is $40. A one-day Sno-Park permit is $20. Some non-motorized Sno-Parks require a Special Groomed Trail sticker

…

Read more »

Here is one way to avoid paying any extra transaction fees when you buy the new state Discover Pass, purchase it at State Parks headquarters in Olympia or at regional offices in Burlington and East Wenatchee.

The pass – providing access to lands managed by State Parks, state Department of Fish and Wildlife and state Department of Natural Resources – takes effect Friday.

The cost when purchasing at State Parks is $30 annual or $10 for a one-day pass. Nno transaction and dealer fees apply.

The headquarters and region offices are selling the passes during normal business hours, 8 a.m.-5 …

Read more »

UPDATE: Thursday at 2:07 p.m.

As expected, the governor signed the bill creating the new Discover Pass.

The pass will be required as of July 1 for vehicle access to recreation lands and water-access sites managed by the State Parks and Recreation Commission, state Department of Fish and Wildlife and State Department of Natural Resources. The pass – available for sale in mid-June – will cost $30 a year per vehicle or $10 for a day-use pass.

___

Washington’s Discover Pass will become reality Thursday afternoon.

Gov. Chris Gregoire is scheduled to the recreation access bill – SSSB …

Read more »

In today’s paper, I wrote a story about the new Discover Pass the state is creating. The pass – $10 per day or $30 a year – would provide the holder access to all the state parks, plus recreation lands and facilities managed by the state departments of Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resources.

Here is the link to the story.

There are some interesting comments at the end of the story, including one from a person who said they won’t be buying a pass.

Also this morning I got a call from a reader calling to confirm that …

Read more »