How To Get A Free Washington State Discover Pass – The Washington State Discover Pass refers to a permit that is required for vehicle access to state trails, parks and other outdoor recreation centers that are managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Washington Department of National Resources and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. This is a daily or annual pass that helps to fund the operation and maintenance of the areas. There are many ways to get a Washington State Discover pass for free.
In general, anyone who wants to use the state areas for recreation purposes needs to purchase a Discover Pass unless they’re exempted like seniors, or disabled veterans. It is also worth checking with the local libraries or keeping an eye out on community events that can provide opportunities for Washington State Discover Pass for free. In this comprehensive guide, we will help you know how you can obtain a Washington State Discover Pass for free.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaway
- The Washington State Discover Pass grants access to state parks and recreational areas.
- Seniors, disabled veterans, and foster families may qualify for free passes.
- Purchasing options include online, by phone, or in-person.
- Required documents include identification, vehicle details, and proof of eligibility.
- Volunteers can earn a free pass after 24 hours of service.
What Is The Washington State Discover Pass?
The official name for the Washington State Parks Pass is known as Discover Pass. The pass helps in unblocking access to millions of acres of land adventures throughout Washington state including the following:
- 80+ natural areas
- 30+ wildlife areas
- 350+ primitive recreation sites including picnic areas and campgrounds
- 100+developed state parks.
Discover Pass gives you access to approximately 700 water access points and 2000 miles of land and water recreation trails.
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What Is The Cost Of The Washington State Discover Pass?
The full cost of Discover Pass for a year ranges up to $30. If you purchase over the phone at a licensed vendor or online then you have to pay an additional dealer and transaction fee of $5. In other words, the annual Discover Past costs approximately $35 for most users.
You can also avail of a single-day Discover Pass option which is $10 but with transaction and dealer fees you will end up paying nearly $11.50. Those who are planning to visit Washington State Park more than three times a year will find the annual pass an affordable option.
What If I Don’t Purchase A Discover Pass?
People who are caught without Discover Pass on the Washington state recreation lands will be fined an amount of $99. This is more than three times the annual cost of a Discover pass. You have to purchase $59 if you purchase a Discover Pass after being notified of your violation. Those who are eligible for free Discover passes must get them in advance instead of asking for a forgiveness letter.
How To Purchase Discover Pass To Visit A Washington State Recreation Site?
There are many options to purchase Discover Passes to visit Washington state recreation sites such as the following:
- By Phone: You can dial 866-320-9933 toll-free number or visit the online website at discoverpass.wa.gov and follow the Buy Now link on the home page.
- In-person: You can purchase the Discover Pass at more than 80 retail locations and from approximately 600 recreational license vendors that sell fishing and hunting licenses.
- At State Parks: A few parks have automated pay stations from where you can purchase passes directly from the staff of the parks. Fee envelope may be used for one day pass however you cannot purchase annual passes from there.
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How Long Will It Take To Get My Discover Pass In The Mail If I Order Online/ By Phone?
This specific answer to this question may vary depending on the place where you purchased your Discover Pass.
- Online From Washington Department Of Licensing DOL or Washington State Parks Online Reservation System: Your pass will arrive within 7 to 15 business days.
- Online From Washington Department Of Fish And Wildlife Wild System: Your pass will arrive within 7 to 10 business days. You can print a 10-day temporary pass at the time of purchase from the official website or your confirmation e-mail.
- Online from discoverpass.wa.gov: Your pass will arrive within 7 to 15 business days. You may print a temporary 15-day pass at the time of the purchase from the official website or your confirmation mail.
Those purchasing passes from the National Parks Reservation System can request temporary passes by forwarding their purchase confirmation to the Discover Pass customer service disk at [email protected]. You must provide your name, physical mailing address, and e-mail to ask about a temporary pass.
What Are The Documents Required To Get Washington State Discover Pass?
To obtain a Washington State Discover pass you need to have the following documents.
- Identification: You need to provide a valid form of identity like a state ID card, passport or driver’s license.
- Vehicle Details: If you’re purchasing an annual Washington State Discover Pass you need to provide the license plate number for the vehicle that will primarily use the pause.
- Proof of Eligibility (If applicable): In case you’re eligible for free pass, exemptions or discounts you need to provide documents to support your eligibility like proof of disability for disabled veterans or age verification documents for senior citizens.
- Payment: You need to prepare yourself to make payment for the pass unless exempted no matter whether it’s for a day pass or an annual pass.
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How To Get A Free Discover Pass?
Discover Pass For The Elderly
Senior citizens who are over 62 years of age can qualify for a special initiative known as Senior Citizen Limited Income Pass. This is a special Washington State Discover Pass program designed for senior citizens who can meet the income criteria of the program.
The best thing about Discover Pass For Seniors is that it is completely free and also lasts for at least five years. To qualify for the Discover Pass senior citizens need to follow the below-mentioned criteria:
- You must be at least 62 years old to qualify for the pass
- You must have an annual household income at or below $40,000 annually
- You must live in Washington state for a minimum of 3 consecutive months.
On qualifying for this special Discover Pass for senior citizens you can receive the following perks and benefits.
- 50% discount on nightly camping
- Free day-use access to state parks
- Free trailer dumps
- 50% off the senior off-season pass and 50% discount on moorage fees
- Free watercraft launching
To apply for the Discover Pass for senior citizens you need to fill out the application form for Senior Citizen Limited Income Pass by printing this PDF or filing it out on DocuSign. You can also mail the application by dialing 360-902-884-440. Senior citizens who have received the free pass must make sure they take good care of it. Even though the pass is free Washington state charges at least $15 every time you need to replace the special Discover pass for the elderly.
Disability Discover Pass
Residents of Washington State who are living with disabilities are eligible to receive access to state parks for free. The Discover Pass for disabled people is completely free and lasts up to five years.
However, to be eligible you need to be legally blind and fulfill the Social Security Administration’s criteria for disabilities or be profoundly deaf. Following is the list of benefits that come along with the Disability Discover Pass:
- 50% discount on nightly camping
- Access to ADA accessible campsites
- Free day-use access to state parks
- Free trailer dumps
- 50% discount on moorage fees
- Free watercraft launching.
To apply for the Disability Discover Pass in Washington you can print the application or complete it on DocuSign. You need not complete the application if you have a disability parking ID card as per the state law along with a disability license plate or disability placard since you are entitled to those benefits automatically. The pass covers state parks only and you need to have a Discover pass if you’re visiting lands operated and administered by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife or Department of Natural Resources.
Foster Family Pass
There is free access to Washington state parks for foster families, guardians, kinship families and other caregivers. The Foster Family Pass for eligible members is not only free but also lasts for two years. To be eligible for this pass you have to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You must have lived in the state of Washington for a minimum of three months
- You must provide out-of-home care to at least one child including foster families, legal guardianship, kinship caregivers, legal guardians or other caregivers.
- Parents and the child must visit Washington Park together.
In case you are eligible for the free pass you will get a free Foster Family Pass that will provide you free day-use parking along with free camping at the Washington State Park. It is important to note that the pass will not work at the Department of Fish and Wildlife or the Department of Natural Resources. You can apply for the pass by Foster Family Pass Application or just completing it on Docusign. You have to attach proof of out-of-home care and residency to complete the application process.
Disabled Veteran Lifetime Pass
Residents of Washington state with documented service-connected disability of a minimum of 30% can qualify for a free Lifetime Discover Pass. This is an amazing deal for disabled veterans’. To be eligible for the Disabled Veteran Lifetime Passes in Washington you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a disabled veteran
- Must have at least a 30% VA disability rating
- Must have lived in Washington state for a minimum of 3 consecutive months.
The Disabled Veteran Lifetime Pass provides the following benefits to eligible disabled veterans.
- No reservation fees
- Free camping
- Free day-use access to state parks
- Free trailer dumps
- Free moorage
- Free watercraft launching
- Free boat launching
Once you are eligible for the pass you can apply by printing the Disabled Veteran Pass application or by completing the form on DocuSign. Besides filing the application form you also have to submit a VA disability award that shows that you are rated at least 30% disabled. This pass however does not include the Department of Fish and Wildlife or the Department of Natural Resources.
The reservation fees are generally charged when you book a campsite through the park website however disabled veteran pass holders don’t have to pay any fees. You can apply for the pass at the park at the regional offices by downloading and mailing the application or by contacting 360-902-8844 or 800-833-6388.
Volunteer
There is no need to have a Discover pass for volunteers who are volunteering at the state parks or Washington. After 24 hours of volunteering, they can get a free Discover pass. Spouses of the volunteers can combine volunteer hours to add up to 24 hours. To find eligible volunteer projects near you in Washington you can visit the WA state parks website.
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Additional Options To Consider For Free Pass
Discover Past Senior Discounts
Senior citizens who fail to qualify for a free Discover pass in Washington can get amazing discounts on passes from various programs that can help them to get discounts on fulfilling the eligibility criteria. Senior Washington state residents can buy an off-season senior citizen pass that provides free nightly camping on moorage between 1st October and 31st March (and Sunday through Thursday in April).
However, the pass is unfortunately not free and costs $75 or $37.50 for elderly people with limited income. You can purchase the pass at various Washington state parks or state parks headquarters after the end of April every year. To apply for the Discover Pass senior discount you need to fill out this application form here.
Chelan PUD Customers
Chelan PUD Customers need not pay for a Discover pass if they are visiting one of the three state parks that are covered by the Public Power Benefit Day Use Pass. The pass enables children of PUD customers to avail of free day-use parking passes which are valid at Lincoln rock, Wenatchee Confluence and Daroga State Parks.
Every family can receive only one pass that will be issued between January and September of every year. The pass can be valid for one calendar year only starting from January 1. You can apply for the pass online or dial 509-661-4551. It generally takes three to five days to receive the pass once you apply; however, make sure to apply at least a week before your trip.
Discover Pass Free Days
Washington state sets aside several free Discover Passes every year. Washington state parks along with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resources provide free days when Discover Pass will not be required to visit the lands.
Everyone can visit the state parks on these respective dates without worrying about whether or not to have a pass. Even though the exact dates of the free day set by the state may vary every year they happen on the following holidays:
- New Years Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Billy Frank Jr.’s Birthday
- WA State Park’s Birthday
- Earth Day
- National Get Outdoors Day
- Free Fishing Day
- Juneteenth
- National Public Lands Day
- World Mental Health Day
- Veterans Day
- Autumn Day (the day after Thanksgiving)
To know the exact date for this year’s free days you can check the official website of the state.
Hunting And Fishing Licenses
On purchasing a hunting or fishing license you will get a vehicle access pass that will allow you access to land purchased by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. You need not have a Discover Pass if you are fishing or hunting to access land managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. However, you need to have a Discover Pass to access the state parks or DNR lands.
Don’t Bring A Vehicle
Discover Pass is available for motor vehicles only. In case you’re visiting state recreation land by other means like by foot, bicycle, or horse you need not have a pass. You don’t need a Discover Pass if you visit by boat as well. As per Washington state, you can skip the pass if you are driving through but not leaving your vehicle. In case you get out of the vehicle you will need a pass.
Conclusion
To sum up, Washington State Discover Pass is an initiative that allows visitors access to the state parks and recreation lands. It helps in funding the maintenance and operation of the parks and recreation lands. In this guide, we have helped you cover how you can be eligible for a free Discover Pass. Washington state Discover Passes for veterans, seniors, foster families and disabled veterans are available for free-cost rates. It is important to note that each has its eligibility criteria so you need to review the options carefully before determining which one will be the right fit for you. We have reviewed all the avenues through which you can obtain a free Discover pass including the disabled veterans’ Lifetime Pass and free Discover Pass for seniors. If you’re living in Washington and want to save money then don’t forget to check out our list of Washington assistance programs.
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