National Parks In Washington: Free Admission On Public Lands Day

WASHINGTON — If you've been waiting for the perfect opportunity to visit one of Washington's many national parks for free then National Public Lands Day on Saturday is your chance.

Organized by the National Environmental Education Foundation and several federal, state, and nonprofit partners, it’s the largest single-day volunteer event held on U.S. public lands offering free access to Washington's numerous national parks.

During National Public Lands Day, Washington residents can volunteer at a nearby public space or enjoy free admission at all national parks. This includes sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other participating federal agencies.

“During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, our country’s public lands acted as a safe haven for all Americans to gather with their friends and families,” Meri-Margaret Deoudes, president and CEO of the National Environmental Education Foundation, said in a news release. “NPLD gives us an opportunity to return the favor. …We invite the public to join us in giving back to these spaces that have played such an important role in our lives.”

The day provides one of the few opportunities each year to visit national parks for free after fee increases took effect in 2020 at various locations.

The National Park Service lists online all parks requiring entrance fees and the amount of the fees. Entrance fees will be waived at the following Washington parks on National Public Lands Day:

• Mount Rainier National Park, 39000 State Route 706 E, Ashford, WA 98304.
• North Cascades National Park, 810 State Route 20 Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284.
• Olympic National Park, 3002 Mount Angeles Road Port Angeles, WA 98362.

The next fee-free day will be Veterans Day, Nov. 11, according to the National Park Service.

See the full list of national parks in Washington. Many parks are free year-round.

For those hoping to volunteer, there is no shortage of opportunities. More than 500 volunteer events are currently registered on the National Environmental Education Foundation’s website.

Click here to find more events online happening in Washington for National Public Lands Day.

National Public Lands Day was established in 1994 and is held annually on the fourth Saturday in September. The purpose is to “celebrate the connection between people and green space in their community,” according to the National Parks Service.