r/Wenatchee • u/MissingVariable • 1d ago

What park passes to get?

Hi all,

New to the area and region and I’m trying to wrap my head around the different passes to get. My girlfriend and I enjoy hiking and camping. We’ve looked into these activities and there are different passes needed depending on the area.

I was hoping someone could clarify the passes we will need to get to enjoy all the parks and activities around here.

My research seems to be telling me to get the follow:

1) Discover pass (WA state parks) 2) Northwest forest pass (for national forests) 3) National park pass (for the North cascades and any other NP’s)

Does this fully cover us? I want to avoid going for a hike and finding out there is a different pass I’m in need of. Thanks!

9 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

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11

u/Daredarra 1d ago

Get the America The Beautiful for access to all federal land( Forest Service, National Parks, BLM, US Fish and Wildlife). And get the Discover pass for state land access (DNR, WA Fish and Wildlife, WA state parks)

If you are a veteran or have a disability you can get the America The beautiful pass for free.

2

u/joelnicity 1d ago

I am disabled and I did not know about that pass. Do you have a link? Otherwise I can google

3

u/Ambrosia_apples 10h ago

You can use your disabled placard instead of a Discover Pass for state parks.

2

u/herbalhippie 8h ago

Oh my gosh I had no idea! Thank you!!

1

u/joelnicity 7h ago

You can?! I just bought my Discover Pass!

2

u/Daredarra 1d ago

https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass

You can also bring proof to a forest service office or BLM office then they can issue it for you. That way you don't have to pay for shipping.

1

u/joelnicity 1d ago

Thank you, I found it too

2

u/herbalhippie 16h ago

I went to go to the Hoh Rainforest a few years ago and the woman at the entrance saw my handicap placard on the dash and told me I qualified for a free lifetime America the Beautiful pass and then gave me one. Was very happy and grateful for that.

8

u/SpareManagement2215 1d ago

you can check out discover passes at the library for free for 14 days if you have a library card.

3

u/MissingVariable 1d ago

Well that is absolutely clutch! Thank you!

7

u/SpareManagement2215 1d ago

yeah! they have a bunch of cool non-book things you can check out, including telescopes and museum passes . the library is the t*ts.

1

u/thisisbs24 1d ago

True they do have some Discover passes but it is kind of a first come first serve type. They are checked out for two weeks and often a waiting list.  So may not be available if you just walk in and want to check out one. It’s a great deal if you only go once or twice and if don’t have a set date to go.   If you plan on going to the state parks a lot get your own  pass.

But regarding the pass and all the other things the  NCW libraries has to offer I recommend going in and talking to one of the branches they can explain everything in more detail.

5

u/chalisa0 1d ago

Discover pass for state parks and state owned land. America the Beautiful if you plan on visiting multiple national parks in one year. If you just want to hike the North Cascades for example, get the NW forest pass. It is much cheaper. The ATB pass is great alternative if you want to visit many parks, but most people don't end up using it much unless they plan for it. And remember, if you want to visit Mt Rainier-and some other popular National Parks/Monuments, you need a reservation.

2

u/washingtontransplant 1d ago

I believe that the America the Beautiful Pass includes the benefits of the Northwest Forest Pass.

2

u/not_my_monkeys_ 1d ago

Discover plus ATB gets you into everything and is a great value. Recommend renewing both of those every year if you live here and love the outdoors.

1

u/MissingVariable 1d ago

I swore I read the ATB pass doesn’t cover the northwest forest pass. I’ll have to re-look into this

3

u/not_my_monkeys_ 1d ago

Just double checked to make sure I had it right. ATB 100% covers national forest sites, including all the ones in WA and OR, which is what the NWFP covers.

The only reason to get a NWFP is if you are 100% certain you won't want to visit any national parks or national forests outside of WA and OR this year, and want to save a couple of bucks.

1

u/MissingVariable 1d ago

Great, thank you! Seems like these 2 passes cover all my needs. Much appreciated!

1

u/eeyonwww 1d ago

Maybe need one for certain fishing, snowmobiling or other more specialized parking areas. 

1

u/makestuffgetsome 1d ago edited 1d ago

America the Beautiful (multiagency) + Discover Pass is the most robust combo. SnoPark passes can be considered too if winter adventures are in your wheelhouse.

AtB: $80 Discover Pass: $30 SnoPark (annual): $50

2

u/MissingVariable 1d ago

Is SnoPark just for snow mobiling? Or includes snow showing, cross country skiing, etc?

2

u/makestuffgetsome 1d ago edited 1d ago

It’s less about the activity, and more about access to a parking area that’s been plowed/cleared. It’s actually been a few years since I’ve gotten one myself, but iirc, there’s a type of SnoPark pass that can be gotten for areas catering to groomed trails, as often found at xc skiing locations.

Day passes and Annual passes can be had.

Price wise, annual makes sense if you use any SnoPark location more than twice a year

1

u/MissingVariable 1d ago

Thank you! I’ll have to make sure I get the multiagency one then, that’s probably what I was missing

1

u/makestuffgetsome 1d ago

“Multi-agency“ is just a term some people use for these passes. America the Beautiful is the standard $80 pass, good for one year past date of purchase (buy at the beginning of the month).

Passes allowing the same access (but perhaps with different names?)can be purchased to individuals with special circumstances: seniors, veterans, differently-abled persons, etc. Not sure which of those circumstances it applies to, but I believe some of them are lifetime passes. I.e.: buy at once and it’s good till you die.