Washington state parks to no longer offer free admission on Black Friday

Black Friday is a chance to work off all you've stuffed yourself with, whether you’re dashing down aisles hunting discounts or gathering family and friends for a hike through nature.

But this year, you may want to double-check before you go on a nature hike, as admissions to Washington's more than 140 state parks will no longer be free on Black Friday.

Parkgoers will have to pay for a regular day-use Discover Pass when visiting a state park, which runs $10. Annual Discover Passes are available for $45 as well (You can also check out Discover Passes with your library card).

Autumn Day, which began in 2017, is not making a return, Parks spokesperson Meryl Lassen said. State land agencies are only allowed to designate up to 12 free days each year. Parks swapped Autumn Day for Smokey Bear’s Birthday on Aug. 9.

This switcheroo gives visitors “more opportunities to enjoy recreation during the summer,” Lassen said, while also giving the agency “more opportunities to educate about wildfire safety.”

Because, you know, “Only you can prevent wildfires.”

Oregon state parks will also no longer offer free admissions on Black Friday, The Oregonian reported, as they face a budget shortfall.

The next three pass-free days at Washington state parks will be New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 19 and on tribal leader and activist Billy Frank Jr.’s birthday on March 9. There will be nine more free days throughout 2026.

Fishers will get a little Black Friday discount this year, however, courtesy of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The agency is stocking nearly 65,000 jumbo rainbow trout in 25 lakes across the state before the holiday weekend to be ready for Black Friday fishing. The fish will weigh up to 3 pounds and measure up to 17 inches. You will need a current Washington freshwater fishing license to participate.

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