Get in free to national parks, state parks and forest sites on Monday

Hey pennypinchers, spread the word: National parks, Washington state parks and national forest recreation sites are all fee-free this coming Monday.

A snowshoer treks through snow at Paradise on Mount Rainier. (photo by Mike Siegel / Seattle Times files)

That’s right. In honor of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 21, you can breeze right past the gatehouse (in a safe and controlled manner, at no more than 15 mph, of course) at Mount Rainier National Park. Fearlessly park without a Discover Pass at Deception Pass State Park. Or hike any trail you can get to in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest without posting a Northwest Forest Pass on your dashboard.

The same applies to other parks and national forests across the region (but you still need a Sno-Park permit at Sno-Park sites, and a Discover Pass at Fish & Wildlife sites).

It makes it a good day to head for the snow-play area or take a ranger-guided snowshoe walk at Paradise, on Mount Rainier, without paying the usual $15-per-carload fee. More info on winter fun at Rainier here.

It’s nice to have the outdoors really be free once in a while. Take the kids tubing. Teach a nephew to cross-country ski. Love the outdoors? Pass it on.

Comments | More in Northwest, Tips & deals | Topics: Discover Pass, free admission, Martin Luther King Jr. holiday

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About Us

Kristin Jackson, travel editor at The Seattle Times, grew up in Italy, went to university in Britain, and worked as a journalist in London and Vancouver, B.C., before migrating back to Seattle where she’s happy at her desk but way happier on the road.

Brian J. Cantwell, Outdoors editor at The Seattle Times, is a Seattle native who chose not to leave -- except for every chance he gets to go someplace interesting or adventurous. He lives on his sailboat at Shilshole Bay Marina.