By Michelle McNiel, PR Specialist
Nothing spoils an outdoor adventure quicker than not having the right gear. While you may have loaded your daypack, beach bag or picnic basket with all the essentials, your plans for fun in the sun this spring and summer could still be sunk if you don’t have the parking pass that is required at thousands of state parks and recreation lands in Washington.
Lucky for you, we’ve got you covered!
NCW Libraries has Washington State Discover Passes available for 14-day checkout. The pass allows you to park for the day at developed state parks, primitive recreation areas, water-access points, natural areas, wildlife areas and other state-managed recreation lands. Note: The pass cannot be used to reserve overnight camping at state parks.
The passes are provided to the library through the Check Out Washington program, a collaboration between the Washington State Library and Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
Do you need some ideas for where to go with your Discover Pass in North Central Washington? Here are a few suggestions:
Hit the beach for the day at Lake Wenatchee, Lake Chelan or Lincoln Rock state parks.- Go mountain biking or hiking at Squilchuck State Park.
- Visit the interpretive center and take a nature walk at Fort Okanogan State Park.
- Go fishing at Conconully State Park.
- Take your kids to great playground at Wenatchee Confluence State Park.
- Take a nature walk and view wildlife along a beautiful stretch of the Columbia River at Beebe Springs Natural Area
,featuring about two miles of ADA-accessible trails. - Hike, fish, go birdwatching, explore the Ice-Age flood-carved landscape and have a picnic at Potholes State Park.
- Explore the geologic wonders of Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park while hiking, mountain biking, paddle boarding, swimming or just having a picnic beneath the 400-foot-high, 3.5-mile-wide cliff carved by Ice Age flooding.
- Visit the Ginko Petrified Forest and walk the Trees of Stone Interpretive Trail, which winds past more than 20 petrified Ginko logs in their original settings.
If you’re ready to get started, reserve a Discover Pass with your library card HERE.
If you still need to do a bit of research, we invite you to check out the Washington State Park Guide, which features hundreds of photos and descriptions of state parks and their amenities. You can also visit the Washington Recreation Lands website for lists and maps of recreation lands that require the Discover Pass. Or view these clickable maps of state parks in North Central and South Central Washington.
Have fun exploring the natural areas of our state. We’re happy to help check one essential item off your packing list!
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