I am military and the government just passed a thing stating that military with ID now get into all state parks and national forests for free. Do I still need to buy a discover pass?
The feds can't get past DISCOVER PASS requirement(ELBE,TAHUYA,ROCK CANDY).They CAN get you (I.D. holders) out of the USDA/USFS pass required at EVANS CREEK or any 4x4 place that is FEDERAL LAND -So if the truck pulling you over says DNR,XXXXX COUNTY SHERIFF or FISH&GAME you really need a DISCOVER PASS .If it is Forest Service,Forest Ranger or has GSA plates you need USDA/USFS pass or if the ID thing is true a MIL I.D. I buy them both a year at a time and leave them on rear view mirror.
I think this only pertains to National Parks like Yosemite. Also, if you go to the home page and read the NOTE: NOTE: Recreation Fees vary widely across the thousands of Federal Recreation sites. Please contact specific sites directly for information on what is or is not covered by the passes.
Covers Federal stuff just fine. Not the state stuff. To wheel everywhere is Washington that allows wheelin',you'd need 4 different passes. 2 are Federal, 2 are not.
i.e. Washington Discover Pass. No federal tie. ORV Pass, no federal tie.
Tahuya, Discover Pass
Evans Creek Forest Pass federal tie. Off Road Vehical Pass no federal tie. But, reciprocal ORV with state of Oregon. (We have the Or. one $10.50 for 2 years).
Federal lands are a plentiful in the wheeling world. And you can get exempt from them. ORV stuff, the state wants their money too and will get it as well. Find the trail listed that you want to wheel and see what is required. Don't be surprised if 2 are needed and only 1 is federal.
I researched this and it seems military are not exempt. You will need a Discover pass to use State Parks. I dont think your exempt from National Forest either. And if retired, you have to be really disabled. Washington State Discover Pass exemptions
here is an idea - wait to get stopped by the authorities ,then tell 'em how you read on the internet that you don't need no stinkin' pass and he is stupid for not knowing this stuff and you will gladly set him straight ! DON'T TAZE ME BRO!!
Ok guy. Way to get hostile on " the Internet" like u just told me. I put the info out there so others can read it and see what they make of it. I am just trying to find out more info.
Nobody is getting hostile Brother. We just don't want you going out with wet powder. Some of the forest rangers have no problem taking your money, as ignorance is no excuse applies. I recommend you call the agency over the area you want to wheel in and see what they say. And let's go wheelin' already.
ok just called the forest service. The pass for the military covers national forests as well. So as far as EVANS CREEK, Active Military would be free. It is covered under the "America The Beautiful program. You would just have to get the YEARLY pass. which under my link I posted above you can see where you can get one. Now as far as the other spots like elbe or tahuya I have not looked into yet.
Youre the one asking the question. I go to National Forest every week and witness people getting citations, for parking and not having passes. I think its a $100.00 fine. And I see people using Discover Pass in National Forest. Uh, No! But youre on the right track and its good to be alert for these things. I have both passes, Discover and National Forest Annual Passes and I'm Retired. If I were to go to Mount Rainier National Part, I would not have a clue if my passes would work or discount for Military. But I do know how to research this issue. Theres alot of info out there such as Forest Service, State Park, and County Sites. I like to hike and Bike and site see, so all these sites are really useful. Something else to keep and eye for is Road Closures. Weather and Dangerous conditions. Trees do fall, so you better be prepared.
Just so you know, if you are retired and collecting better than 30% disability you can get the Washington Disabled Veterans Lifetime Pass, then the Discovery Pass requirement is exempted for State Parks and Forests by that, but on DNR and DFW lands you still need one...although with enough disability those two are exempted by a State handicapped placard or plate. Additionally, you can also get the Access Pass which is good for all National Parks and Forests, with the same amount of disability. As far as your comment of: "Nothing is Free" you are correct, it only took 20 years of my life, two knees, an ankle, hearing loss, a shoulder, nerve damage in all my extremities, and a few messed up dreams...so the term 'free' is used loosely in my house.
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