Day-use entrance fees will be waived Saturday at state parks and Olympic National Park in celebration of National Public Lands Day.
Olympic National Park’s regular entrance fee is $25 per car. On fee-free days, other park fees, including wilderness camping and campground fees, will remain in effect. The Olympic National Park annual pass costs $50.
On Saturday, no Discover Pass will be needed to visit state parks, which on the North Olympic Peninsula are Bogachiel near Forks, Dosewallips near Brinnon, Fort Flagler on Marrowstone Island, Fort Townsend and Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Anderson Lake State Park near Chimacum and Sequim Bay near Sequim.
The Discover Pass is a $30 annual or $10 one-day permit required on recreation lands managed by State Parks, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the state Department of Natural Resources.
The free days apply only at state parks; the Discover Pass is still required on Fish and Wildlife and DNR lands.
Free days apply only to day use, not to overnight stays or facilities.
Saturday is also Bike Your Park Day, and four state parks are offering ranger-led two-wheeled tours.
Among them is Fort Worden State Park at 200 Battery Way in Port Townsend.
Ranger Todd Jensen will meet participants at the flagpole at Fort Worden at 10 a.m. for a 9-mile Beach to Bunkers Ride along paved roads and hard-packed trails, which have some exposed roots.
The ride will take participants around the park through the gunline to the top of Artillery Hill and down to the Chinese Gardens.
A post-ride get-together will offer snacks and refreshments.
Learn more at parks.state.wa.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=335.
Future free days for national parks are Nov. 11-12, Veterans Day weekend. The next free days for state parks in 2017 are Nov. 11 and Nov. 24.
