Recreation Fees in Washington

Currently, more than 20 unique recreation passes and permits are available in Washington (including state and federal, daily, annual, weekly, and seasonal). The pass(es) that may be required depend on the agency, trailhead, season, activity, mode of access, and whether an individual qualifies for a free/reduced fee program. These passes, depending on the agency, come in the form of a rearview mirror “hang tag,” window cling, sticker, or plastic card that may be linked to a specific individual, household, or up to two license plates. Specific activities and/or areas may require additional fees or permits (e.g. backcountry hiking permits, hunting/fishing licenses, off-road vehicle (ORV) tabs, etc.). The myriad of pass permutations results in public land users who are uncertain about what pass is needed where (and when, and why).

To begin addressing these challenges, the 2016 Washington State Legislature directed the WA State Parks and Recreation Commission, in partnership with the WA Department of Natural Resources and the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife, to work with the Ruckelshaus Center to “coordinate a process to develop options and recommendations to improve consistency, equity, and simplicity in recreational access fee systems while accounting for the fiscal health and stability of public land management.” The budget proviso (pdf) also requested exploration of the potential for “federal and state permit fee coordination,” including a “single pass to provide access to state and federal lands” and a “comprehensive and consistent approach to recreational fee discounts and exemptions.”

The Center conducted a situation assessment which informed the scope and composition of a Leadership Team and work groups. These groups met from March-November 2017 and directed research which informed the development of three packages of potential and comprehensive improvements to the existing recreation fee system, one being the preferred package. The state land management agencies, Legislature, and Governor’s Office have taken steps to begin implementing recommendations included in the final report, “Recreation Fees in Washington State: Options & Recommendations.”

With the complexity of the existing system of recreational fees and passes, improvements must contain multiple, interdependent elements. To address this, the Leadership Team developed and discussed many packages of potential solutions. Several were considered, but not recommended (see full final report); three packages are recommended, each containing several interconnected components.

The “Pass-Free Access Package” is the preferred recommendation, based on the voting members of the Leadership Team seeing it as the best fit with the parameters of the proviso. The “Two-Vehicle Pass System – Building on Success Package” and “One-Vehicle Pass System – Reduced Fees Package” are also recommended as potential improvements to the status quo.

To view the situation assessment and its appendices, please click on the links below.

Full Report – Situation Assessment of Recreation Access Fee Systems in Washington State. (.pdf)

• Appendix A – excerpt from the legislative budget proviso – 2ESHB 2376 (.pdf)
• Appendix B – Ruckelshaus Center Overview (.pdf)
• Appendix C – Interviewees
• Appendix D – Interview questions
• Appendix E – Overview of Recommendations (.pdf)

To review the final report and its appendices, please click on the links below.

Executive Summary (.pdf)

Full Report: Recreation Fees in WA: Options and Recommendations (.pdf)

• Appendix A: Legislative Budget Proviso (2ESHB 2376) (.pdf)
• Appendix B: Overview of the William D. Ruckelshaus Center (.pdf)
• Appendix C: Participant List (.pdf)
• Appendix D: Survey Analysis – WA State Outdoor Recreation Survey Report (.pdf)
• Appendix E: Description of Passes in Washington (.pdf)
• Appendix F: Overview of State and Federal Land Management Agencies (.pdf)
• Appendix G: Recreation Fee Systems – State Case Studies (.pdf)
• Appendix H: Holistic Look at Exemptions and Reduced-Fees in US (.pdf)
• Appendix I: Evaluation Criteria/Tool for Exemptions (.pdf)
• Appendix J: 2018 Draft Budget Proviso on Recreational Access (.pdf)

• 2002:
  • An Assessment of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State (pdf)
•  2010:
  • Fish, wildlife, and Washington’s economy (pdf)
•  2013:
  • The Discover Pass and Consistent Recreation Access Policies (pdf)
  • Outdoor Recreation in Washington, The 2013 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan
• 2014:
  • Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation (pdf)
• 2015:
  • Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation at Washington’s State Parks
• 2016:
  • Outdoor Recreation Participation, Topline Report (pdf)
•  2017:
  • Outdoor Recreation Economy Report, Outdoor Industry Association (pdf)

• Discover Pass
• Discount Pass Program, State Parks
• Northwest Forest Pass
• Washington Public Lands Inventory (interactive map)