WA State Parks Revenue Checkpoints

Update:

I was contacted by Park Ranger Brett Bayne on July 25th. We had a good talk. He took time to address all of my concerns in this area.

I am satisfied with the information he provided.

Please visit beautiful Washington State.

Experience the beauty of hot air balloons lifting off near scenic wineries.

Plan your reunion here. Plan your convention here. Travel to spend your money here. Tell your nationwide RV club- this is the perfect destination.

Please- don’t forget to stop and see historic downtown Oak Harbor.

Purchase your daytime parking passes in advance. Pull up to the park & get screwed with.

Please tell your friends.

Fort Ebey State Park:

Afternoon visit 7/8/16

Midday visit 7/16/16

Entrance coned off to one lane.

Vehicles with Discover Pass & vehicles already checked in- forced to wait behind vehicles registering for camping.

Sort of like checking into a hotel- going out to dinner- then, after dinner- no access to room unless you wait at the desk behind others just arriving to check in.

One reason to purchase a Discover Pass off-site, is to be able to get started on an outing with no hassle.

More here: Taking the fun out of WA State Parks

Original intent-

WA State Parks web page:

“Having your annual Discover Pass on board allows you to drive straight to your recreation destination and start enjoying your day right away, with no delays!”

Old policy-

People who need to register to camp must stop at the guard shack to sign in & pay.

People who are in the middle of their camping stay & people who have already purchased a valid daytime parking pass use the lane provided to bypass the cars waiting in line to register.

Why did this change? To try and grab more money from anyone who rolls up.

Manchester State Park on Yelp:

“We have been camping here for many years now. It was always such a nice local place to camp at.
It has now become a greedy money making joke. My Dad came to bring me and the kids some more firewood on Friday. They tried hard to charge him $10 to drive to our camp site!
He kindly refused. We had already paid $54 dollars for a non hook up site- 2 nights.”

Discover Pass News:

Taxpayers out $45,000 after unlawful arrest and ranger’s excessive use of force.

Possibly related-

State auditor: Fort Flagler sewer project ‘wastes millions’

My parent’s generation introduced me to Washington State Parks in the 1970s. Since then- the parks have taken on an authoritarian tone. The feeling is that visitors are treated as guilty until proven innocent. If people are taking axes to trees, or setting picnic tables ablaze- find them & deal with them as individuals. When we rent a slab for the weekend- maybe just leave us alone to come & go as we please. Extra supervision is unwanted.

Welcome Visitors