Juneteenth Added As 4th Free State Parks Day In June

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington State Parks has added another free day to its calendar, waiving vehicle access fees for all visitors on Juneteenth.

The holiday originates from June 19, 1865, when the Emancipation Proclamation was delivered to Texas, announcing the abolition of slavery two-and-a-half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the executive order. By 1865, historians estimate there were still 250,000 enslaved people in Texas.

Earlier this year, Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation to make Juneteenth a paid state holiday, beginning in 2022. The free parks day takes effect this year, and officials said the designation is part of state agencies' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as core values.

On free park days, drivers will not need to purchase a $10 day-use permit or a $30 annual Discovery Pass to access state parks and recreational lands managed by the Department of Natual Resources and Department of Fish and Wildlife.

June boasts the most free days in a single month, with three other opportunities for free access leading up to Juneteenth:

• Saturday, June 5, in recognition of National Trails Day.
• Saturday, June 12, in honor of National Get Outdoors Day.
• Sunday, June 13, for Free Fishing Weekend. (WDFW has designated both June 12 and 13 as Free Fishing Weekend.)

After June, four other free days remain:

• Wednesday, Aug. 25 — National Park Service Birthday
• Saturday, Sept. 25 — National Public Lands Day
• Thursday, Nov. 11 — Veterans Day
• Friday, Nov. 26 – Autumn Day

The free days are valid only for lands managed by the state and do not apply for National Parks, which have their own free admission schedule. Visitors planning overnight trips will still need to pay associated camping fees.

Plan a trip to one of Washington's more than 140 state parks and learn more about the free days in 2021 online.