State lands free day Saturday, Sept. 25

State lands free day Saturday, Sept. 25

Free entrance to state lands will be permitted Saturday in recognition of National and Washington Public Lands Day.

According to a news release, Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will offer free entrance to state lands without a Discover Pass. This applies to all DNR and WDFW lands and in day-use areas at state parks.

In 1994, National Public Lands Day was established as the fourth Saturday in September, with the National Environmental Education Foundation coordinating the day. In 2019, the Legislature passed a bill proclaiming the fourth Saturday in September as Washington Public Lands Day.

Visitors can celebrate public lands by being prepared and having a backup plan if their destination of choice is crowded or closed, packing out what they pack in, respecting the land, volunteering and being good stewards of public land, creating a welcoming environment for all who share outdoor public spaces and respecting burn bans to reduce wildfire risk.

Thursday, Nov. 11 and Friday, Nov. 26 are the other two state land free days in 2021.