Fees and Permits
The Washington State Parks operating budget is primarily funded by fees and revenues
collected from park visitors. The following fees paid by visitors
(except for the Discover Pass) are used exclusively to support the state parks system.
State sales tax and lodging tax (where applicable) are included in all fees listed below.
Fees are subject to change.
Regular camping and boating fees
While the following regular fees apply throughout the state, facilities and amenities
vary from park to park.
Please note that the following general fee information is not customized for each individual
park, so not all fees will apply to all parks (for example, primitive campsite and dump
station fees listed apply only to parks that have primitive campsites and dump stations).
Discover Pass
Annual pass: $30
One-day pass: $10
(Transaction and dealer fees may apply)
A Discover Pass is required for vehicle access to state parks and recreation lands managed
by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
(WDFW) and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). One pass can be transferred between two vehicles.
Exemptions: Your purchase of the Discover Pass supports recreation on state lands.
However, you do not need to purchase the pass under the following circumstances:
- If you are camping or renting overnight accommodations, including vacation houses,
environmental learning centers, yurts and cabins, you will not need a Discover Pass for access to the state
park where you are staying, for the duration of your stay. If you visit other state parks in the area or
other state recreation lands managed by WDFW or DNR, a Discover Pass will be required.
- Disabled veterans and other State Parks pass holders registered through State Parks do
not need to purchase a Discover Pass for access to Washington state parks. You will need to purchase the
Discover Pass for access to lands managed by WDFW and DNR.
- State Parks boat launch sites. You will not need a Discover Pass to launch your boat
from a State Parks boat launch if you have the annual Natural Investment Permit. You will need the Discover
Pass for boat launches managed by DNR and WDFW.
- Sno-Park seasonal permit holders do not need a Discover Pass to use a designated
Sno-Park between Nov. 1 and March 31 for winter recreation activities. The Sno-Park permit exemption does
not apply to non-winter recreation activities.
For more information and other exemptions, please visit the Discover Pass
website.
2013 Camping fees
Campsite descriptions:
- Primitive and water trail campsites: Campsite does not include a
nearby flush comfort station. Primitive campsites may not have any amenities of a standard
campsite. Sites accessible by motorized/non-motorized vehicles and water trail camping.
- Standard campsite: A designated campsite served by nearby domestic
water, sink waste, garbage disposal and flush comfort station.
- Partial-utility campsite: A standard campsite with the addition of
electricity. May have domestic water and/or sewer.
- Full-utility campsite: A standard campsite with the addition of
electricity, water and sewer.
Please note: Maximum eight people per campsite.
Basic camping fees:
May 15 – Sept. 15 (peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $23 non-premium site, $26 premium site
Partial-utility campsite*: $30 non-premium site, $35 premium site
Full-utility campsite*: $32 non-premium site, $37 premium site
*Please note: Camping fees during the 2013 peak season are $28 for
partial-utility sites and $29 for full-utility sites at Beacon Rock, Brooks Memorial,
Columbia Hills, Conconully, Lewis & Clark and Schafer state parks. These parks are
first come, first served.
Jan. 1 – May 14 and Sept. 16 – Dec. 31 (off-peak season)
Primitive campsite and water trail camping: $12
Standard campsite: $22 for non-premium and premium sites
Partial-utility campsite: $28 for non-premium and premium sites
Full-utility campsite: $29 for non-premium and premium sites
Boating fees
Watercraft launching permit
Launching a boat at a state park requires:
- An annual launch permit (Natural Investment Permit); or
- An annual Discover Pass AND a daily launch permit; or
- A one-day Discover Pass AND a daily launch permit.
- Daily launch permit (included in camping fee): $7 ($5 at Bridgeport,
Larrabee, Columbia Hills, Conconully, Sacajawea and Steamboat Rock state parks).
- Annual launch permit: $80
Daily and annual watercraft launching and trailer dump permit (Natural Investment permit) may
be used at multiple parks. Daily and annual permits are available for purchase
in person at State Parks headquarters at 1111 Israel Road S.W., Olympia, at region offices
and at parks when staff is available. Annual permits also are available
online.
Overnight dock moorage: 60 cents per foot ($12 minimum), beginning March 1, 2012.
Overnight buoy moorage: $12, beginning March 1, 2012.
Annual Watercraft Moorage Permit: If you moor at docks in fee areas multiple
nights each year, an annual Watercraft Moorage Permit may save you money. Valid Jan. 1 through Dec. 31.
Annual Moorage Permit $4 per foot ($60 minimum) Allows moorage at all state park moorage sites.
Winter Recreation fees
The Discover Pass may be required for winter recreation.
Please review the attached chart (200kb PDF),
which summarizes passes needed for the different winter recreation sites.
Snowmobile registration
- Non-vintage snowmobile: $30
- Vintage snowmobile (sleds at least 30 years old): $12
Valid Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, includes seasonal snowmobile Sno-Park permit for towing vehicle
parked at designated snowmobile Sno-Parks. Snowmobiles are registered through the Department
of Licensing and registered agents.
Winter Sports Sno-Park Permits
Permits cost an additional dollar if purchased from a retail vendor (vendor service charge)
instead of directly from State Parks.
One-day permit $20 ($21 from retail vendor)
Allows one-day parking at all winter sports Sno-Parks, including special groomed trails areas.
Seasonal permit $40 ($41 from retail vendor)
Allows parking at all winter sports Sno-Parks. A seasonal permit is non-transferable between vehicles.
Some Sno-Parks require only a seasonal permit for season parking. Others require both the seasonal permit
and the special groomed trails permit (sticker) in order to use the designated Sno-Park.
Special Groomed Trails permit $40 ($41 from retail vendor)
Required, in conjunction with seasonal permit above, for parking at designated special groomed trails
Sno-Parks with higher trail maintenance costs.
For more information on Sno-Park permits, including a list of vendors, visit our
Winter Recreation page.
Unique overnight and day-use facilities
State parks all across Washington offer unique overnight and day-use accommodations.
Many parks offer seasonal discounts and special offers.
Vacation houses: Fall asleep in the lap of history, with a vacation
or retreat staged at an overnight heritage place/vacation house. Eight parks offer
year-round accommodations, with discounted rates during the off-peak season. For more
information and rates, visit the vacation house web page.
Cabins, yurts, rustic structures: Experience the natural beauty of Washington
state parks year round by spending the night in a comfortable and affordable yurt, cabin or
rustic shelter. These accommodations are a perfect alternative to camping and a great way to
enjoy the beauty of nature without "roughing it." For more information and rates, visit the
cabins and yurts web page.
Environmental learning and retreat centers:
Spacious and comfortable, these lodges with clustered cabins and other rustic facilities offer
youth groups, families and businesses the opportunity to get away from it all in an outdoor,
natural environment. For more information or rates, visit the
environmental learning and retreat center web page.
Wedding, reception, day-use facilities:
Landmark buildings in Washington state parks are available to rent year round for a variety
of occasions. Weddings, receptions, family reunions, company picnics, business meetings and
more are common reasons to rent one of these facilities. They are attractive, comfortable
structures that have been refurbished for public use and equipped with modern amenities.
For more information and rates, visit the
weddings, reception and day-use web page.
Reservation fees
Nonresident reservation fee: An additional $5 non-refundable reservation fee will be charged
to non-residents when making a reservation for campsites, cabins, yurt, marina slips and other reserved services.
This fee is in addition to the regular reservation fee.
Central Reservation System – non-refundable reservation fee:
- $6.50 for reservations made online.
- $8.50 for reservations made by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
The reservation fee does not cover changes to or canceling a reservation. Group facilities
and vacation houses on the central reservation system may only be reserved by calling (888)
CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
Central Reservation System change and cancelation fee:
- $8.50 for changes/cancelations made online.
- $10.50 for changes/cancelations made by calling (888) CAMPOUT or (888) 226-7688.
You may change or cancel
a reservation online, even if you made the reservation via telephone. Exception: Vacation house, group camp
and group day use facility reservations may only be changed or canceled by calling (888) CAMPOUT or
(888) 226-7688. Higher fees may apply if reservation is changed or canceled near arrival date. Please review
details in our reservation policies.
Group reservations
Group camp: Advanced reservation through a park not on central reservation system
$25 non-refundable reservation fee. Facility fees vary, depending upon amenities, market demand and a
charge based on the capacity of the facility, at $2.39 per person per night. Contact the park for
availability and details.
Group day use: Facility fees vary, depending upon amenities, market demand and a
charge based on the capacity of the facility, at $1.23 per person per day. Contact the park for
availability and details.
Other fees
Trailer dump permit: $5 per use (included in camping fee)
Daily and annual watercraft launching and trailer dump permit (Natural Investment permit) may be
used at multiple parks. Permits are available for purchase in person at State Parks headquarters at
1111 Israel Road S.W., Olympia, at the region offices and at parks when staff is available. Annual
permits also are available online.
Extra overnight vehicle fee: $10
Campsite fees include parking for one vehicle at the site. Extra vehicles may be parked at the
campsite if approved in advance by a ranger. There is a $10 per night fee to park a second vehicle
at the campsite (unless it is towed by an RV). Extra vehicles must be registered at check-in and
be parked in designated campsites or extra vehicle parking spaces.
Unattended vehicle overnight parking: $10 per night in designated areas for watercraft launch sites.
Shower fee: 50 cents for a three-minute shower.