Public Lands.  The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the State Parks and Recreation Commission (SPRC) are charged with managing the public lands of the state.  DFW owns or manages nearly 1 million acres of public land and 500 water access areas for fish and wildlife, habitat conservation, and wildlife-related recreation.  DNR protects and manages 5.6 million acres of state-owned land.  The state parks system includes 124 developed parks covering approximately 138,000 acres.

Discover Pass Program.  In 2011, the Legislature established the Discover Pass Program.  The Discover Pass establishes a user fee for motor vehicle access to recreational areas managed by SPRC, DNR, and DFW.  A Discover Pass costs $35 per year, while a day-use permit costs $11.50 per day.  The annual Discover Pass is transferrable between two vehicles.  The penalty for failure to display the required recreation access pass or permit is $99.  The penalty is reduced to $59 if an individual provides proof of a Discover Pass purchase to the court within 15 days of being notified of a violation.

Exemptions.  A Discover Pass or day-use permit is not required for the following circumstances:  

• when camping at a state park;
• when parked in a designated 30-minute short-term parking area;
• for holders of certain hunting and fishing licenses on the DFW recreation lands and water-access sites; for those individuals, a vehicle access pass is required for vehicle access to the DFW lands and boat launches;
• portions of DNR land considered to not be for recreational purposes; and
• persons or entities who use, possess, or enter lands owned or managed by DFW, DNR, and SPRC for purposes consistent with a written authorization from the respected agency, including but not limited to leases, contracts, and easements.

In consultation with DFW and DNR, SPRC must designate up to 12 days per calendar year where entry to a recreation site or lands is free.