Exploring Washington State: Travel Passes To Purchase

If you're planning to travel around Washington state, there are a few different passes and permits you may need to purchase, depending on your mode of transportation and where you plan to go. For example, if you're driving, you'll need to be aware of toll roads and consider getting a Good To Go! pass to save money on tolls. If you're hiking, you'll need a different set of passes and permits, such as the Discover Pass for state parks and recreation lands, or the Northwest Forest Pass for national parks and forests.

Passes for hiking in Washington State

If you're planning on hiking in Washington State, there are a few different passes and permits you may need to purchase. The type of pass you need will depend on where you plan to hike, how often you plan to hike, and what mode of transport you will be using.

National Parks and Forests

To visit national parks such as Mount Rainier and Olympic National Parks, you will need to purchase a pass. These can be bought at national park entrances or online, and the cost is $30 per car, $15 per person for walk-ins or bike-ins, and $25 per motorcycle. This pass is valid for seven days. You can also purchase an annual pass to a single park for $55.

If you plan to visit multiple national parks or forests, you may want to consider the America the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass for $80, which provides year-long access to all national parks, forests, and other federal sites that charge entry fees.

Washington State Parks, Department of Natural Resources Lands, and Department of Fish and Wildlife Trailheads

To access Washington State Parks, you will need to purchase a Discover Pass. This pass is required for campgrounds, parks, wildlife areas, trails, natural areas, wilderness areas, and water access points. The Discover Pass costs $10 per car for a day pass and $30 for an annual pass.

National Forest Trailheads

National Forest trailheads in Washington and Oregon with facilities (such as toilets and picnic tables) require a Northwest Forest Pass. This includes most trailheads in the Cascades and Olympics, including popular trails like Snow Lake. A day pass costs $5 per car, and an annual pass is $30.

Mount St. Helens National Monument

Mount St. Helens National Monument is managed by the US Forest Service and charges a per-person entry fee of $8 for those 16 and older (children enter for free). They accept the Interagency Annual and Senior passes, as well as the Northwest Forest Pass.

Sno-Park Permits

If you plan to hike in the winter, you will need a Sno-Park permit to park at plowed lots with access to groomed and backcountry trails. Day permits cost $25, and seasonal permits are $50. There are also special groomed trail locations that require an additional $70 add-on to the seasonal permit.

Backcountry or Wilderness Permits

In addition to the passes mentioned above, some areas may require a backcountry or wilderness permit to regulate the amount of foot traffic in fragile environments. These permits are typically required for backpacking or overnight camping in popular or delicate areas.

It's important to note that Washington State offers several "free days" throughout the year when a Discover Pass is not required to visit state parks and lands managed by the Washington Departments of Fish & Wildlife and Natural Resources.

For frequent hikers, the best option is likely to be the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass ($80) and the Discover Pass ($30), which will cover you for most hikes across federal and state lands in Washington.

Passes for travelling by ferry

If you are planning to travel by ferry in Washington state, there are a few passes you can buy to save money on fares. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) offers several types of passes for frequent commuters, which can be purchased at terminals or online. These passes are printed on a single ticket, which can be discarded after all rides have been used. Here are some options for passes for travelling by ferry:

Multi-Use Passes

Multi-use passes are available for both passengers and vehicles. These passes offer a certain number of round trips on specific routes and provide a discount on passenger fares if all the rides on the pass are used. The discount during the off-peak season (October 1 to April 30) is between 20% and 25%, while during the peak season (May 1 to September 30), the discount can go up to 35% to 45%. The number of rides included in a multi-use pass depends on the route, with most routes offering 10 round trips. The Port Townsend/Coupeville route includes 20 round trips, while the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route includes five round trips. Multi-use passes are valid for 90 days from the date of purchase.

Monthly Passes

Monthly passes are also available for passengers but not for vehicles. These passes are intended for a single user and are valid for up to 31 round trips during a calendar month. A discount is achieved if a minimum of 13 round trips are used within the month.

ReValue Card

The ReValue Card is another option for frequent commuters. This card can be purchased online and will be mailed to you ready to use. Once the initial set of rides is used up, the card will automatically refill from the credit card on file. The refill can be set up to occur after 90 days or on the first of each month, depending on the type of card chosen. If you will not be travelling as often during a certain period, you can suspend future refills until you are ready to travel again. The ReValue Card is also available for senior citizens and passengers with disabilities, offering tickets at half the regular passenger rate.

ORCA Card

The ORCA card can be used by frequent commuters to purchase and use multi-use and monthly passes. It can also be used to pay for fares, including for vehicles and motorcycles. However, ORCA's regional day or monthly passes are not accepted as payment for Washington State Ferries fares.

Passes for travelling by train

When travelling by train in Washington state, there are a few passes you can buy to make your journey more convenient and cost-effective. Here are some options:

The Discover Pass

The Discover Pass is an annual pass that provides unlimited access to millions of acres of state-managed lands, including state parks, water access points, heritage sites, wildlife and natural areas, trails and trailheads. The pass costs $30, or $35 with transaction and dealer fees if purchased from a license vendor, by phone or online. It can be purchased from recreational license vendors, by phone, at State Parks headquarters and region offices, at certain retail locations, and at automated pay stations in some state parks. The Discover Pass is valid for state-managed lands, so if you plan to hike mainly on federal lands, this may not be the best option for you.

The Interagency Pass

The Interagency Pass, also known as the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass, grants access to national parks and national forests across the country. This pass costs $80 and is valid for all federal lands in Washington state. If you plan to hike mostly on I-90, this pass might not be sufficient as this route includes lands managed by both state and federal agencies.

The Northwest Forest Pass

The Northwest Forest Pass allows you to park at trailheads on federal lands, specifically US Forest Service lands, in Washington state. It costs $30 and is valid for national parks and national forests. However, it does not cover state-managed lands, so if your travels include a mix of federal and state lands, you may need to purchase an additional pass.

The Senior Pass

If you are 62 or older, you are eligible for the Interagency Senior Pass, previously known as the Golden Eagle Pass. This pass costs $20 per year and grants access to all federal sites that charge entrance fees nationwide. This pass is an excellent option for seniors who plan to hike mostly on federal lands.

Day Passes

If you only plan to hike once or twice, consider purchasing a day pass. A day pass for hiking on national forest lands costs $5, while a day pass for state lands costs $10. These passes can sometimes be purchased at the trailhead, but it's not guaranteed, so it's best to plan ahead.

When travelling by train in Washington state, consider your hiking plans and the types of lands you will be visiting. Purchasing the correct pass will grant you access to the trails you want to explore and help you avoid unnecessary fees.

Passes for travelling by road

If you're planning to travel by road in Washington state, there are a few different passes and permits you may need to purchase, depending on where you plan to go and what you plan to do. Here is some information about the different passes available:

Discover Pass

The Discover Pass is a permit that provides access to Washington state parks and recreation lands. It costs $30, or $35 with transaction and dealer fees if purchased from a license vendor, by phone, or online. The Discover Pass allows you to access millions of acres of state-managed lands, including state parks, water access points, heritage sites, wildlife and natural areas, trails, and trailheads. The pass can be purchased in person from recreational license vendors, by phone, when renewing your vehicle license, at state parks headquarters and region offices, at certain retail locations, and at automated pay stations within some state parks.

Northwest Forest Pass

The Northwest Forest Pass is required for parking at trailheads on federal lands, such as national parks or forests. It costs $30 and can be purchased online or at the trailhead, although it's recommended to purchase it in advance as it may not always be available at the trailhead.

Interagency Pass

The Interagency Pass, also known as the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass, provides access to national parks and national forests across the country. It costs $80 and is valid for all federal lands in Washington state. This pass is especially useful if you plan to visit Mount St. Helens National Monument, as it allows entry for the pass holder and up to three adults.

Day Passes

If you only plan to go hiking once or twice, you can purchase a day pass for national forest lands for $5 or state lands for $10. Day passes can be purchased online or at the trailhead, although availability at the trailhead is not guaranteed.

It's important to note that some trails and activities within Washington state parks may require additional permits or reservations, so be sure to check the requirements for your specific destination before your trip. Additionally, there are several free days throughout the year when a Discover Pass is not required to visit state parks and lands managed by the Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resources.

Passes for travelling by air

When travelling by air, Washington State is served by a number of airports. Most travellers will arrive at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which is served by most major international and domestic carriers. Connections are available to other major cities throughout the state, including Spokane and Bellingham. Spokane International Airport (GEG) is the second-largest airport in the state and serves Spokane. It is located near the border with Idaho and is served by nine domestic carriers, including Alaska, Delta, Southwest, and United.

There are also a variety of other airports within the state that provide service to different destinations across the country. When travelling by air, it is important to remember to follow airport security procedures and have your picture ID, boarding pass, and ticket with you at all times.

• Only bring one carry-on and one personal item on the plane. Check all other luggage.
• Remove your coat or jacket and put it through the X-ray machine, along with any metal objects.
• Do not bring half-eaten natural fruit through security unless it is wrapped.
• If you are between the ages of 13 and 17 and travelling without an adult, you must have written permission from your parent or guardian.
• Do not bring any banned items, such as pocket knives, scissors, razors, or corkscrew wine openers. If in doubt, leave the item at home or put it in your checked luggage.

Frequently asked questions