By Kacee Saturay, WNPF Donor Stewardship and Social Media Manager
September 28, 2024 is National Public Lands Day! With several government agencies managing recreational lands, it can be confusing and overwhelming, yet exciting to figure out where you want to recreate across Washington.
By the nature of my job duties, I get the honor of scrolling through the beautiful images and videos our followers tag us in. However, I couldn’t help but notice some confusion on whether their content is taken in our out of the national park boundaries. So, in honor of National Public Lands Day, I wanted to provide a general breakdown of the land managed by the National Park Service and other federal agencies, which hopefully can help you decide where your next adventure will be.
As we continue to use the term “public lands,” we want to acknowledge and celebrate the native people who have been the first stewards of these lands, particularly in Washington, for centuries. We encourage park visitors and supporters alike to learn about the Tribes that call the land home, which the three parks encompass by visiting the dedicated webpages on Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Park’s websites. The National Park Service, along with WNPF, stands behind the statement that these parks are for everyone.
For this blog, we’ll focus mostly on National Parks and Forests. But as a general guide, here are the different types of public lands you might find in Washington:
Under the Department of Interior, the federal government manages public lands across a variety of bureaus mentioned above: National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and US Fish & Wildlife Service. Additionally, the US Forest Service falls under the Department of Agriculture.
National Park Service (NPS): This is where we, Washington’s National Park Fund, focus our work. The NPS works to preserve the cultural and natural resources that these lands provide. Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks are just three of 431 units that the NPS manages. Units consist of national recreation areas, historic sites, preserves, monuments, and the “National Parks” that are popular among the general public. Aside from the three “National Parks” that WNPF is partnered with, there are several other NPS units in Washington state (e.g. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park or Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve).
The North Cascades is a unique “complex” made up of the National Park boundary, Ross Lake, and Lake Chelan Recreation Areas. An easy indicator that you are in a national park unit is if you see the orange NPS arrowhead symbol when you enter.
US Forest Service (USFS): This agency manages national forests and grasslands. The USFS works to sustain the productivity of forests to meet the needs of present users and future generations. You can expect to find a variety of outdoor recreation, logging, and so much more. Additionally, you will find that your adventure dog can join you on the designated trails in national forests (in contrast to national parks, where they’re only allowed in some developed areas).
Some examples in Washington that get confused with national park lands are Olympic National Forest, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. An indicator that you’re in a national forest is the brown entrance signs with the iconic trapezoid shape.
Now that you have an idea of where you want to go, let’s talk about accessing these wonderful public lands. I’ll cut to the chase: If you’re sticking to federally managed lands and plan to visit at least 3-4 times a year, your best bet is to purchase the America the Beautiful Pass. For $80, this pass covers entrance or day-use fees for the federal agencies mentioned earlier (NPS, USFS, BLM, and USFWS).
This pass is also available at a discounted or free rate as a Senior Pass, Military Pass, Access Pass, and 4th Grade Pass. The 4th Grade Pass is a personal favorite that I love to promote; Through the government’s Every Kid Outdoors program, 4th graders and their families get a free pass for the school year (September-August) in the hopes that it can build better stewards for the future, have a unique educational experience, and experience what public lands have to offer. Check this blog for everything you need to know about the 4th Grade Pass!
Note that the America the Beautiful Pass grants you entrance; this does not cover campground fees. Depending on where you stay, Recreation.gov is your friend for campground fees in federally managed lands.
If you’ll only find yourself in a national park or national forest once or twice a year, paying the day-use or short-term fee (ranging from $5-$40 depending on where you are) will be your best choice. This can be purchased at the entrance booths or trailheads in certain locations.
For land managed by state or local governments, refer to those agencies for details on what passes you might need. For example, Washington State Parks require a day-use fee or an annual Discover Pass.
Within the National Park Service, 108 park units collect entrance fees. According to NPS.gov, “at least 80 percent of the [the fees] stays in the park where it is collected, and the other 20 percent is used to benefit parks that do not collect fees.” This revenue enhances the visitor experience (i.e. facility maintenance, roadside repairs, emergency services, and much more).
So, the next time you buy a park pass, visit for a day, or spend the night at an established campground, know that the park benefits financially and that everyone’s safety and experience are improved immensely; a win-win situation!
Uniquely, of the three parks that WNPF supports, I love sharing with visitors that North Cascades National Park Complex is among the few parks that do not charge an entrance fee. A major highway (SR 20) meanders through the park, which means the road can be used by recreationists like you and me, commercial vehicles, and everyone in between. Most importantly, free entry is a great way to make the park more accessible to everyone!
National Public Lands Day is also a dedicated day of volunteering across the nation and a fee-free day for the parks. Check out the National Environmental Education Foundation’s volunteer map for an event near you and find more fee-free days throughout the year here.
Washington’s national parks are also offering volunteer opportunities during or around NPLD. Check these opportunities below:
Can’t make it that day? You can support the parks’ volunteer programs by giving a gift that can fund tools, gear, and training essential to getting their work done.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mount Rainier National Park (@mountrainiernps)
A post shared by Mount Rainier National Park (@mountrainiernps)
Have any more burning questions? We highly encourage you to practice your own research and engage with the rangers! Before I head outdoors, if I have a specific question I scan the park’s or forest’s website, then if I can’t find my answer I give the ranger station a call. There’s always a friend on the line who can assist you on your next adventure.
Always remember to practice Leave No Trace and #RecreateResponsibly.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on September of 2022 and updated annually ahead of National Public Lands Day.