The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission has announced that Aug. 25 is a state parks ‘free day.’ Day-use visitors will not need a Discover Pass to visit state parks. Bridle Trails State Park in Kirkland and Saint Edward State Park on the Kirkland and Kenmore boundary are both included.

The ‘free day’ is in honor of the birthday of the National Park Service, which was established on Aug. 25, 1916. State Parks ‘free days’ are in keeping with legislation that created the Discover Pass, a $30 annual or $10 one-day permit required on lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington departments of Natural Resources (DNR) and  Fish & Wildlife (WDFW). The Discover Pass 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 WDFW and DNR on these days.

‘Free days’ apply only to day use, not overnight stays or rented facilities.

Washington State Parks will have two more ‘free days’ in 2014: Sept. 27, in recognition of National Public Lands Day and Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day.