People visiting state parks over the coming three-day weekend will not need a Discover Pass, the first three of 10 days this year when the parks will be accessible for no fee.
In addition to Jan. 14-16, which includes Martin Luther King Jr. Day, state parks will be free on March 18-19, June 9, Sept. 29 and Nov.10-12.
The Discover Pass is still required on those days on lands managed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and the state Department of Natural Resources.
Whatcom County has three state parks: Peace Arch, Birch Bay and Larrabee. People can find the state parks' winter schedule at parks.wa.gov/parkschedule.
The Discover Pass was instituted by the Legislature in 2011 to generate revenue for state recreation lands. The pass costs $10 for a day, or $30 for a year.
