Gabrielle Orsi
Many people choose to "opt outside" (#OptOutside) on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and this year you can opt outside at no cost thanks to a free day with Washington State Parks and other lands covered by the Discover Pass.
Already got plans for November 26? Mark your calendar for the other the free days in 2022! Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) have announced they will honor Indigenous people, Black history, and mental health with their new selection of free days.
- Billy Frank Jr., Nisqually elder and Native environmental activist, is honored in March. Learn more about his life and work with Northwest Treaty Tribes.
- Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the US, will be honored in June.
- World Mental Health Day in October is an effort to raise awareness of mental health issues globally and foster support of mental health.
- The Friday after Thanksgiving will be formally recognized as Native American Heritage Day in accordance with the state's recognition in 2021 of November as Native American Heritage Month.
In 2022, the Discover Pass free days will be:
- Saturday, Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day
- Monday, Jan. 17 – Martin Luther King Day
- Wednesday, March 9 - Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday
- Saturday, March 19 – Washington State Parks’ birthday
- Friday, April 22 – Earth Day
- Saturday, June 11 – National Get Outdoors Day
- Sunday, June 12 – Free Fishing Weekend
- Sunday, June 19 - Juneteenth
- Saturday, Sept. 24 – National Public Lands Day
- Monday, Oct. 10 – World Mental Health Day
- Friday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day
- Friday, Nov. 25 – Native American Heritage Day
The Discover Pass is an annual pass that provides access to state parks for day trips. It also provides overnight access to DNR and WDFW lands. For the days where you need one, you can purchase a Discover Pass at our Seattle Bookstore or online.
