Discover Pass price increase takes effect Oct. 1
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, October 1, 2025
As of today, the cost of an annual Discover Pass is $45, up from $30. The price increase was done to provide critical revenue to keep state parks open and operational.
It is the first price hike in 14 years.
The Discover Pass is a parking pass that provides one year of unlimited entry to all Washington state lands managed by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington Department of Natural Resources.
The pass allows everyone in the passholder’s vehicle access to more than 100 state parks; 350 recreation sites; 700 water access spots; more than 90 Natural Areas and Natural Resource Conservation Areas; and 33 wildlife areas.
The annual pass is valid for one year from the date of purchase and can be transferred between two different vehicles.
The increase in price was passed by the Legislature in April and signed by the governor in May.
The Legislature’s bill made additional changes to the Lifetime Disabled Veterans Pass. Previously, the LDV only provided access to State Parks-managed lands. LDV passholders will continue to enjoy free camping, moorage, day-use parking, boat launch and trailer dump at all state parks but now their passes will also provide: access to 3.3 million acres of DNR-managed land, 80 campgrounds and several moorage and water access sites; and more than one million acres of WDFW-managed recreation land at 33 wildlife areas across the state, and hundreds of water access areas.
Additionally, beginning Oct. 1, State Parks will begin collecting camping reservation transaction and change fees on the LDV as part of these legislative changes.
According to a press release, approximately 71% of State Parks’ operating budget comes from Discover Pass sales and earned revenue. All of the revenue State Parks earns from Discover Pass sales stays with the agency. These funds are critical to supporting recreation and conservation opportunities, the press release stated, keeping bathrooms cleaned and trails maintained, caring for the health of forests and protecting seashores.
