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*December 2023*
2024 First Day Hikes
Start 2024 with an adventure!
Join us on Jan. 1 for our annual First Day Hikes [ [link removed] ] events ? an opportunity for everyone to get outside and enjoy a beautiful state park!
Choose a guided hike, snowshoe excursion, bike or trail ride, dog walk or paddle adventure to enjoy on New Year?s Day.?
Hikes will range in difficulty from paved, flat ADA-accessible trails to moderate hill climbs. A few parks will host more than one hike with options tailored to different interests and abilities. Additionally, some hikes will include fun and educational talks with rangers, where you can learn about the history and natural features of the parks. All participants will receive a collectible Washington State Parks 2024 First Day Hikes pin!
Most First Day Hikes require advanced registration, and group sizes may be limited. Visit our website [ [link removed] ] to view all activities and registration information.?
*Note:* New Year?s Day marks the first?Discover Pass [ [link removed] ] free day of 2024. Visitors will not need a Discover Pass to park on state recreation lands. If you plan to participate in a First Day Hike at a park that becomes a Sno-Park [ [link removed] ] during the winter (Easton Reload Sno-Park [ [link removed] ], Fields Spring State Park [ [link removed] ], Lake Wenatchee State Park [ [link removed] ] and Mount Spokane State Park [ [link removed] ]), a Sno-Park permit [ [link removed] ] is required.
*Check out our new blog posts!*
10 Essentials
The "10 Essentials" to take on every outdoor adventure
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You may have heard the term ?Ten Essentials? or ?10Es? in outdoor communities and been left scratching your head. But there?s nothing mysterious about them; they?re basic items to help keep you safe, healthy and comfortable during and after your outdoor adventure.?
Take a look [ [link removed] ] at what you should pack in your backpack before heading outside.
"Photo by Freya Fennwood"
LNT blog
What is leave no trace, and why should we all do it
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We want everyone, at all experience levels, to feel welcome in our outdoors, and we want the land and its inhabitants to stay healthy. We believe these goals are not mutually exclusive, and we have some win-win tips to help us all get there. Leave No Trace (LNT) means leaving things the same or better than you found them, but there?s a little more to it. Check out our latest blog post [ [link removed] ] to learn more about Leaving No Trace when you are experiencing the great outdoors.
Shop your last-minute holiday gifts with us
Holiday ecommerce
We're excited to offer an array of new State Parks branded products available for purchase online-only, just in time for the holiday season. This year, we hope you?ll join us in giving the gift of the great outdoors.
Shop the Washington State Parks online store [ [link removed] ] and choose from a variety of gift ideas for the explorer on your list. We highly recommend placing your order by *December 13 *for on-time delivery. Certain items have limited quantities, so place your order today!
Gear up for the winter season
Mt Spokane snow
With snow in the forecast, winter recreation is just around the corner! Get ready for the season by purchasing your Sno-Park permit [ [link removed] ] now. Permits are required to visit any of the 120+ Sno-Parks [ [link removed] ] across the state, and offer access to recreation sites for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and more.
Before heading out, take a moment to inspect your gear. Ensure you have the proper equipment for your sport and conditions and check the forecast.
Have fun and stay safe this winter!
Fun family photo
Photo by Freya Fennwood
*LEARN MORE & BUY A DISCOVER PASS* [ [link removed] ]
A Discover Pass is not needed to park on lands managed by us, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife on 12 days in 2024.
Mark your calendars for our 2024 Discover Pass free days
Jan. 1 - First Day Hikes & New Year?s Day
Jan. 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
March 9 - Billy Frank Jr.?s Birthday
March 19 - State Parks? 111th Birthday
April 22 - Earth Day
June 8 - National Get Outdoors Day
June 9 - Free Fishing Day
June 19 - Juneteenth
Sept. 28 - National Public Lands Day
Oct. 10 - World Mental Health Day
Nov. 11 - Veterans Day
Nov. 29 - Autumn Day
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[email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 1111 Israel Road S.W. ? Tumwater ? WA 98501-6512 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
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