THERE’S A PASS
FOR THAT Christina Maloney, Hood Canal Adventures CEO
Over the past few decades tax-based funding for our national and state lands have dwindled, and our land use agencies have been supplementing this shortfall with user pay passes and permits. Because there are several land use agencies each requiring a different pass, this system can be very confusing and can cause considerable frustration. In this article, we lay out what you need to know while you’re exploring the Hood Canal area. Discover Pass The Discover Pass is needed when visiting Washington State Parks, areas managed by Washington State Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), and state managed tidelands. The Discover Pass is a parking pass for your vehicle and costs $10 for a day, or $30 for an annual pass. Around the Canal Discover Passes may be purchased at Dosewallips State Park and the Brinnon General Store (Brinnon); Eldon Store; Hoodsport Visitor Information Center and Hood Canal Outfitters (Hoodsport); Twanoh State Park (Union); the; and the North Mason County Visitor Information Center (Belfair); They can also be purchased in advance online at discoverpass.wa.gov. Discover Passes are required at following recreation areas: State Parks Belfair State Park (Belfair) Twanoh State Park (Union) Potlatch State Park (Skokomish) Triton Cove State Park (Brinnon) Dosewallips State Park (Brinnon) Pleasant Harbor State Park (Brinnon) Shafer State Park (Matlock) Jarrell Cove State Park (Harstine)
While camping at a state park you do not need to purchase a Discover Pass to use the campground’s facilities, trails, and beaches within the park. The Discovery Pass is a parking pass, therefore walk-ins, cyclists and boat-ins are exempt.
Did you know WA State Parks and state managed recreation areas grant you 15 minutes to use a restroom or stretch your legs without a pass?
Tidelands* Lilliwaup Tidelands (Lilliwaup) Eagle Creek Tidelands (Lilliwaup) Point Whitney Tidelands (Brinnon) Dosewallips Tidelands (Brinnon) Triton Cove Tidelands (Brinnon)
Northwest Forest Pass The Northwest Forest Pass is required at U.S. Forest Service (USFS) trailheads in Washington and Oregon that offer facilities such as restrooms, pit toilets and picnic tables. An annual pass costs $30 and day passes are offered at $5. You may purchase a Northwest Forest Pass at Hood Canal Adventures (Brinnon); the USFS Hood Canal Ranger Station (Quilcene); Eldon Store; Hood Canal Outfitters and the Hoodsport Visitor Information Center (Hoodsport); and the North Mason County Visitor Information Cente r(Belfair). Also available online at fs.usda.gov. The following local trailheads require a Northwest Forest Pass or America The Beautiful Pass. Big Creek 4 Mile Trail (Lake Cushman) Mt. Ellinor, Upper (Lake Cushman) Big Quilcene (Quilcene) Skokomish Lower South Fork Lena Lake / Brothers (Hamma Hamma) Mildred Lakes (Hamma Hamma) Duckabush Trail (Duckabush Rec) Ranger Hole (Duckabush Rec. Olympic
*Shellfish harvesting from state tidelands also requires a Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife shellfish license. Boat Launches Lake Kokonee* (Hoodsport/Cushman) Pleasant Harbor Boat Ramp* (Brinnon) Point Whitney Boat Launch* (Brinnon) Triton Cove Boat Launch** (Brinnon) *Washington State Fish & Wildlife parking passes are issued with some types of hunting and fishing licenses and may be used instead of a Discover Pass at WDFW managed locations. **Additional $7 launch fee
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