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 Start 2024 with an adventure!
Join us on Jan. 1 for our annual First Day Hikes 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 to view all activities and registration information.?
Note: New Year?s Day marks the first?Discover Pass 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 during the winter (Easton Reload Sno-Park, Fields Spring State Park, Lake Wenatchee State Park and Mount Spokane State Park), a Sno-Park permit is required.
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Check out our new blog posts! |
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 The "10 Essentials" to take on every outdoor adventure
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 at what you should pack in your backpack before heading outside.
Photo by Freya Fennwood
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 What is leave no trace, and why should we all do it
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 to learn more about Leaving No Trace when you are experiencing the great outdoors.
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Shop your last-minute holiday gifts with us
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 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!
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With snow in the forecast, winter recreation is just around the corner! Get ready for the season by purchasing your Sno-Park permit now. Permits are required to visit any of the 120+ Sno-Parks 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!
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 Photo by Freya Fennwood
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.
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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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