Discovering the new Discover Pass

Heading out to Mt. Si, Lake Easton State Park, Tiger Mountain, Iron Horse State Park or other favorite places in the Mountains to Sound Greenway this weekend?

Beginning July 1st, 2011, the Discover Pass will be required for vehicle access to recreation lands and water-access sites managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Washington State Department of Natural Resources. So if you plan to park your car while you're out hiking up a hill or hanging by the river for a day, you better get the Discover Pass to avoid getting a ticket. Not displaying the Pass costs you $99.

“It is essential that we keep our recreation areas open to the public,” said Governor Gregoire. “I applaud the Legislature for coming together with a solution that allows us to help keep our state recreation lands open and accessible during the worst budget crisis in the state’s history.”

Money generated from the Discover Pass will fill budget gaps created by the loss of State General Fund support for parks and recreation on Washington State lands.

The Discover Pass covers recreation sites including trails, campgrounds, boat launches and historic sites on state lands. Federal lands require the Northwest Forest Pass or National Forest Recreation Day Pass.

The pass costs $30 per year or $10 per day. Visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov for sites that require the pass, and to purchase a pass either online or in person.