Discover Pass

Yes, you need a Discover Pass to park at Millersylvania State Park for the day. It costs $10 for one day or $45 for a year, and the park sells both at automated pay stations at the entrance and at the ranger station. Campers staying in the park, people who walk or bike in, and visitors on a state free day don't need one.

What the Discover Pass Is

The Discover Pass is Washington's parking pass for state recreation lands: the state parks, plus lands run by the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. One pass covers everyone in your vehicle.

• One-day pass: $10.
• Annual pass: $45, valid for one year from the date you buy it.
• The annual pass moves between two vehicles, but it's good for one vehicle at a time.

Hang it from the rearview mirror facing out, or lay it face up on the dashboard.

Where to Buy One for Millersylvania

• At the park: automated pay stations at the entrance and at the ranger station and gift shop sell one-day and annual passes. No transaction fee.
• Online: discoverpass.wa.gov, or WDFW's WILD licensing system. You can print a temporary pass to use right away.
• By phone: (866) 320-9933.
• In person: at about 600 fishing and hunting license vendors around the state.
• With your car tabs: add an annual pass when you renew your vehicle registration.

Online, phone and vendor purchases may add transaction and dealer fees.

Try it for a day first: if you buy a $10 day pass and like it, you can upgrade to an annual pass for $35 more at any state park or State Parks headquarters. This doesn't work for a day pass bought by fee envelope.

When You Don't Need One

• You walk, bike or ride a horse in. It's a parking pass.
• You're camping at Millersylvania. Your camping fee includes day-use parking here. Display your camping registration. You'll need a pass at other parks.
• You rent the Lakeside Cottage or the retreat center. Those rentals include parking too.
• Free days. No pass needed for day-use parking.
• Discount passes. Washington residents with a State Parks discount pass (disabled veterans, foster parents, limited-income seniors, people on disability benefits) can park in state parks. Washington residents with a permanent disability parking placard park free too.
• Natural Investment Permit holders don't need a Discover Pass in state parks.

A WDFW Vehicle Access Pass, which comes with annual fishing and hunting licenses, works on WDFW lands only, not in state parks.

2026 Free Days

• January 1, New Year's Day and First Day Hikes
• January 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• March 9, Billy Frank Jr.'s birthday
• March 19, State Parks' birthday
• April 22, Earth Day
• June 6 and 7, Free Fishing Weekend
• June 19, Juneteenth
• August 9, Smokey Bear's birthday
• September 26, National Public Lands Day
• October 10, World Mental Health Day
• November 11, Veterans Day

Free days cover day-use parking only. Camping and rentals cost the usual rate.

The Fine

Parking without a pass can get you a $99 citation. The fine may be reduced if you show proof, within 15 days, that you bought an annual Discover Pass.

Is the Annual Pass Worth It?

At $45 a year against $10 a day, the Discover Pass program says the annual pass pays for itself in less than five visits. It also covers Tolmie and the other state parks near Olympia. See state parks near Olympia.