National Public Lands Day is one of the 12 days a year when a Discover Pass is not required to park on any land managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks), or the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)

National Public Lands Day is organized annually and led by the National Environmental Education Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service and other federal agencies. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers roll up their sleeves to help restore and preserve public lands of all types and sizes—from iconic national parks and rivers to local urban green spaces and everything in between. National Public Lands Day is special because it provides all lovers of the environment-old and new-an opportunity to show our appreciation for these unique places.

In 2026, the Discover Pass free days are:

Thursday, January 1 - New Year's Day
Monday, January 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, March 9 - Billy Frank Jr.'s Birthday
Thursday, March 19 - Washington State Parks' Birthday
Wednesday, April 22 - Earth Day
Saturday, June 6 - Free Fishing Weekend (day 1)
Sunday, June 7 - Free Fishing Weekend (day 2)
Friday, June 19 - Juneteenth
Sunday, August 9 - Smokey Bear's Birthday
Saturday, September 26 - National Public Lands Day
Saturday, October 10 - World Mental Health Day
Wednesday, November 11 - Veterans Day



State lands free days align with 2011 legislation that created the Discover Pass, which costs $45 annually, or $10 for a one-day visit, depending on point of purchase (fees may apply). The pass is required to be displayed in your window for vehicle access to state recreation lands managed by Washington State Parks, WDFW and DNR. The Discover Pass legislation directed State Parks to designate up to 12 free days when the pass would not be required to visit state parks.