The state park system since the implementation of the Discover Pass (Dayton: buying, camping)

[mishigas73]

In the past several years, we have visited quite a few state parks all over the state. One thing that has really struck me is how nicely these parks are taken care of.

For those who have a frame of reference for before and after the implementation of the Discover Pass, have you noticed a difference in the condition of the parks since the implementation?

Just curious.

[PS90]

I'm no expert, but I think it's been both good and bad.

I agree that the parks may seem a little better kept-up, but I'm guessing that it's because a lot less people are using them now. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing - depends on your perspective, I guess.

I personally bought a Discover Pass every year until a couple of years ago, when a Park Ranger ticketed me for parking without a Discover Pas, although he knew full well that I actually had a Pass. I had to go to court to sort it out.

So for me, it's just not worth the headache of buying a Pass and then hoping I don't run into an a-hole Ranger, etc.

Although I'm sure that the reasons a many, but park attendance is way down since it's implementation. I can't find any actual data on this, and I have heard that attendance is rebounding lately, but my own anecdotal experience has seen much less people in the state parks since the implementation of the Pass.

[Seacove]

I have not seen any decrease in park attendance in Western Washington (don't know about Eastern). We keep a Discover Pass in both vehicles, just buy them with the license renewal. Something like $35. I'm good with helping maintain the parks. The state has no income tax and I accept that there will be supplemental fees like this.

[mishigas73]

Thanks for the responses.

It makes sense that attendance would be down overall since the implementation of the pass. Between that, the NW Forest pass, various county passes-- the fees would certainly add up. We have a lovely county park near us that we don't go to- 10 bucks a day, or 70 bucks or so a year in addition to the other passes?

My own personal experience at the state parks has primary been in campgrounds, where the pass is included for the time that you are there camping. In fact, we just got back from a couple of days at Lewis and Clark Trail SP in Dayton-- for a campground literally in the middle of wheat fields, it was packed. The day use area? Not so much.

On our way home, we did stop at Palouse SP, which was pretty packed (on a non-holiday Monday), so I guess not all of the parks are losing business.

Again, I was just curious as to other's experiences, as I have no frame of reference.

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by Seacove

I have not seen any decrease in park attendance in Western Washington (don't know about Eastern). We keep a Discover Pass in both vehicles, just buy them with the license renewal. Something like $35. I'm good with helping maintain the parks. The state has no income tax and I accept that there will be supplemental fees like this.

Same here. We bought two Discover Passes to cover three vehicles. Well worth the cost.

I live near a state park but it's hard to gauge whether the fees caused a dropoff in attendance, for two reasons. One is that a lot of locals just park on a street outside the park, then walk in for free. Another is that a development partnership allows people to park on part of the grounds without having the pass, on the hope that those people are patronizing one of the businesses in the partnership.