Recreation Fees in Washington

From the Columbia River to the 49^th Parallel, and the Pacific Ocean to the Palouse, land ownership and management in Washington state is a patchwork of federal, tribal, state, local (including city, county, and public utilities), and private entities. Nearly 40% of the state (~20 million acres) is managed by nine agencies (six federal and three state). In recent decades, these agencies have instituted various user-based fees to help offset decreases in state and federal allocations while striving to manage trails and other facilities under pressure from increasing participation in outdoor recreation.

Currently, more than 20 unique recreation passes and permits are available in Washington (including state and federal, daily and annual). Although sometimes perceived as such, these passes and permits are not necessarily parking permits. Some passes grant “motor vehicle access,” while others must only be displayed at authorized fee sites or in association with specific activities. Some agencies can charge access or entrance fees, others may not. This process uses the term “passes” or “recreation fees” to refer to the many passes and permits that have very specific meanings to the agency with which the pass or permit is affiliated. The pass(es) that may be required depend on the agency, trailhead, season, activity, mode of access, and whether or not an individual qualifies for a free/reduced fee program. These passes, depending on the agency, come in the form of a review 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, 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, in 2016, the 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 legislation (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.”

To review the 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)