Enjoy Washington State Parks Fee-Free Days in 2026
If you’re planning to visit some Washington State Parks in 2026, and you want to save a few bucks, then plan your visit for one of the fee-free days. Normally a Discover Pass is required in order to enter Washington State Parks, but on these 2026 dates you don’t need a pass and you don’t need to pay an entry fee.
- Thursday, Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day and First Day Hikes
- Monday, Jan. 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Monday, March 9 – Billy Frank Jr.’s Birthday
- Thursday, March 19 – State Parks 113th Birthday
- Wednesday, April 22 – Earth Day
- Saturday – Sunday, June 6-7 – Free Fishing Weekend
- Friday, June 19 – Juneteenth
- Sunday, Aug. 9 – Smokey Bear’s Birthday
- Saturday, Sept. 26 – National Public Lands Day
- Saturday, Oct. 10 – World Mental Health Day
- Wednesday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day
Washington has a lot to offer state-park wise, and here are some of our favorites. And we’ve really been impressed with their wheelchair access too.
Columbia River Hikes
https://emerginghorizons.com/wheelchair-accessible-columbia-river-hikes/
Beacon Rock State Park
https://emerginghorizons.com/12713-2/
Olmstead Place State Park
https://emerginghorizons.com/olmstead-place-state-park/
Maryhill State Park
https://emerginghorizons.com/linger-on-in-maryhill-state-park/
Portage Park
https://emerginghorizons.com/visit-wheelchair-accessible-portage-park/
Silver Falls State Park
https://emerginghorizons.com/wheelchair-accessible-tree-climbing-in-silver-falls-state-park/
Washington State Disability Pass
If you’d like to visit a Washington State Park at other times during the year, and you happened to have a disability, then you can get a free Washington State Disability Pass. This pass can be used in place of a Discover Pass. Pass holders get the following benefits at Washington state lands.
- Free parking and entrance to all state parks (no Discover Pass needed)
- 50% discount on all Camping and moorage fees
It’s easy to apply. Just fill out this form.
Disability Pass application (Word 48 KB)
The form is pretty simple to fill out, but you do need to submit a few things with it.
- Proof of Residency
This can be your drivers license or a Washington state ID card, but it must list your Washington address. You must be a Washington resident for at least three consecutive months in order to apply.
- Proof of Disability
A copy of an accessible parking placard (not expired) is acceptable for proof of disability. If you don’t have that, then an eligibility letter for state or federal disability benefits will suffice.
There’s no charge to apply for the pass, and it’s good for either one or five years. So get yours today, and start exploring the accessible Washington national parks.