Washington State Parks turns 103 years old on Saturday, March 19, and visitors are invited to help celebrate by enjoying a state park for free that day.

This is the third of 12 state parks “free days” in 2016, when visitors are not required to display the Discover Pass for day use visits to a park.

“Parks provide gathering places for families and social groups—individuals of all ages, cultures and economic status,” said Commission Chair Steve Milner of Chelan. “While we encourage everyone to invest in their state parks, free days present a special opportunity to those who have yet to experience the natural aesthetic and cultural heritage we preserve and to connect them with the generations of family and friends who preceded them.”

The 2016 State Parks free days coming up include: Saturday, March 26; Friday, April 22 – Earth Day; Sunday, May 8; Saturday, June 4 – National Trails Day; Saturday, June 11 – National Get Outdoors Day; Thursday, Aug. 25 – National Park Service 100th birthday; Saturday, Sept. 24 – National Public Lands Day; and Friday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day.

The Discover Pass costs $30 annually, $10 for a one-day permit and is required for vehicle access to state recreation lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources. The free days apply only at state parks; the Discover Pass is still required on WDFW and DNR lands.

The Discover Pass provides daytime access to parks. Overnight visitors in state parks are charged fees for camping and other overnight accommodations; day access is included in the overnight fee. For information about Discover Pass, visit www.DiscoverPass.wa.gov.