State parks free days announced for 2017

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission again will offer 12 free days in 2017.

The “free days” for 2017 are in keeping with legislation that created the Discover Pass. The legislation provided that State Parks could designate up to 12 free days each year when the pass would not be required to visit state parks. The Discover Pass is still required to access lands managed by Fish &Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources on these days.

New for next year: State parks will offer an autumn free day on Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, the day after Thanksgiving.

The 2017 State Parks free days:

• Jan. 1, Sunday, First Day Hikes, New Year’s Day.

• Jan. 15 and 16, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

• March 19, state parks system’s birthday.

• April 15, springtime free day.

• April 22, Earth Day.

• June 3, National Trails Day.

• June 10, National Get Outdoors Day.

• Aug. 25, National Park Service birthday.

• Sept. 30, National Public Lands Day

• Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

• Nov. 24, autumn free day.

The last free day for 2016 is Nov. 11, Veterans Day.