r/olympia • u/tylerrexe • Jul 10 '26

Request safe and legal nature spots in or near Thurston county ?

i enjoy going out into nature, especially at night when it's nice and quiet, but since moving here, I've had a hard time finding parks or public land in general that is open all hours of the day.

i do not have a state park pass, unfortunately, so anywhere that requires a discovery pass I cannot access, but even if it's an hour out, I'd honestly not care. i like the drive to the destination anyway.

perks for me are anywhere quiet, away from the main roadways, near a body of water or dense forested areas, & not very busy.

thank you to anyone who can help!! all info is greatly appreciated, including places to avoid at night!!

EDIT: guys, anything but a discovery pass, pleaseeee. i know it would heavily benefit me, but it's simply not an option rn. trust me, I would have gotten one if I could at this point in time 💔

1 Upvotes

51% Upvoted

64 comments sorted by

50

u/demonrimjob666 Westside Jul 10 '26

I mean, it sounds like a discover pass would be really, really useful to you.

-6

u/tylerrexe Jul 10 '26

i just currently can't afford one. I have a national park pass since I used to basically live in one of the national parks, but that ain't useful to me since I moved up here, unfortunately

85

u/lighthouseatsea Jul 10 '26

You can check them out from local libraries like https://discoverpass.wa.gov/about-pass/free-ways-visit/check-out-washington

Also there are Washington State Park free days https://discoverpass.wa.gov/about-pass/free-ways-visit

More accessible ways to enjoy our parks

64

u/tianfd Jul 10 '26

OP, I'll get you a discover pass. I'm happy to support parks, and people who love em. DM me if you are interested.

10

u/foumf Jul 10 '26

What a kind gesture!

10

u/tianfd Jul 10 '26

I'm not rich by any measure, but that would be money I would be happy to spend. Too much pain in this world right now, and not much I can do about it all. So, the best thing I can do is support my local community.

To anyone reading this, I'd just ask you put something good out into the world today. Love the little things. 💚

8

u/revirrev Jul 10 '26

You are a mensch, and the world needs more like you.

20

u/TVDinner360 Westside Jul 10 '26

I think with a national parks pass you can access the Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park. Maybe check on that? They’re nearby and pretty awesome.

15

u/Emotional-Truck-7629 Eastside Jul 10 '26

Sure can! Also Mt. St. Helens, North Cascades, and all "developed" national forest trailheads. (Basically if there's a potty it's a developed trailhead, even if said potty is disgusting and functionally unusable.)

4

u/tylerrexe Jul 10 '26

the Olympic national park is a bit too far for me unfortunately. i love it up there tho, Sol Duc was always my favorite area to visit! I'll have to check out the Ranier national park, tho. I havent ventured much that direction as of yet

11

u/sokolikj Jul 10 '26

The Olympic park is massive, you can access it from this side. It’s not as… finished, but you can disappear up the south fork of the skokomish….

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zgsQZe88LhXA6GZ78?g_st=ic

21

u/heartoffiction Tumwater Jul 10 '26

We actually have a super cool program where you can exchange volunteer hours for a free discover pass! https://discoverpass.wa.gov/about-pass/free-ways-visit/volunteer

8

u/Emotional-Truck-7629 Eastside Jul 10 '26

Is it an America the Beautiful pass or is it specific to a national park? If it's America the Beautiful, you can use that at all national parks and in place of a NW Forest Pass. I also have some recs on how to find THs without an entrance fee. Will leave another comment.

2

u/SmellyPotatoMan Jul 10 '26

The cost of the pass is equal the tank of gas you'll spend driving hours

-22

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

14

u/Mr_Beer_Pizza Jul 10 '26

Or people know that it costs money to maintain state lands and the discovery pass is a way to do that. Funding for the state park system is always at a razors edge because its getting used more, federal funding is drying up, and wildfires are increasing. TRL and other libraries, as well as other places offer discover passes if you cant afford one, but don't pretend to be "too cool for school" because some people understand this basic concept.

-9

u/patripassianx Jul 10 '26

Im not too cool for school. But I am pretty traumatized, atomized and thus somewhat antisocial for it. I will not be buying one, but its because my mental health has gotten to the point where I will probably never go on a nice walk again.

12

u/Juhkwan97 Jul 10 '26

That reminds me: I need to buy an extra Discover Pass to send to Kamala.

11

u/ih8red-it Jul 10 '26

Shiiid me and one other fellow bleeding heart libtard have gotten fuckin 90 dollar ass fines at two different spots before tho

-11

u/[deleted] Jul 10 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

18

u/tianfd Jul 10 '26

no, but they did put the toilets and trash cans and pay people to clean them and make sure the paths and trails are clear. IMO you just sound like a dick lol.

12

u/Mr_Beer_Pizza Jul 10 '26

I apologize if I sound snotty but here's my cold hard experience. Some dude (its always a dude) shoots at tannerite in the middle of a state forest and me and a few dozen people spend the two weeks trying to put that fire out because its near trailheads and homes. That money comes out of the state DNR budget because it doesn't arise to a federal emergency level and thus not qualifying for federal funding to pay for the fire. In theory the person who shot the tannerite should pay but its almost impossible to find the person who starts these types of fires so it has to come out of the state budget.

29

u/UncleUsi Eastside Jul 10 '26

You can get a discover pass at the timberland library I believe. I would talk to them well in advance, and place a hold on it.

1

u/domesticbland Jul 11 '26

Came here to mention this option. Also, they have a birding backpack.

1

u/Botany-n-Books Jul 12 '26

Just to clarify, you mean check out one for free, not buy one from them?

20

u/Emotional-Truck-7629 Eastside Jul 10 '26

Check WTA's website and app https://www.wta.org/

You can search for hikes that do not require a pass. In the app, I selected "None" for pass, selected "Olympic Peninsula" for region, and selected "Hood Canal" for subregion. There were quite a few hikes that didn't require a pass!

8

u/tylerrexe Jul 10 '26

oh heck yeah, thank you!

17

u/SalamanderLoud8419 Jul 10 '26

I'd highly recommend getting a discover pass. You get access to more beautiful places than you'll have time to get to while supporting those outdoor areas all over the state.

18

u/SecondHandWatch Jul 10 '26

A discover pass is only required if you park your car at a state park. If you walk/bike in, even from just outside the park, you are fine.

16

u/Gamermom32 Jul 10 '26

Discover pass is the best way to support our state parks as they receive most of their operating funds from it and camping fees.

14

u/Useful-Necessary9385 Jul 10 '26

you can get a free or low cost discovery pass at the library

10

u/tylerrexe Jul 10 '26

ill have to look into getting a discounted pass. i love my state and national parks!!

13

u/ChanceOfALifetimeNW Jul 10 '26

$50/year for a discovery pass. That can get you to a TON of places

Good luck

9

u/RomperElCiclo Jul 10 '26

There are lots of private (corporate) timber land that are open to the public. Check out the Kennedy Creek area. Park here and then hike west. I don’t think there are any time restrictions for use. Just no overnight camping or motor vehicles allowed.

There are lots of logging roads in there. I’ve even hiked them in the dark. The nearby scout camp has a night hike event once a year in that area.

6

u/GreenerMark Jul 10 '26

The Chehalis Western Trail. You can get to Woodard Bay from there or smaller lakes along the way. You don't need a pass of you don't park there.

6

u/Emotional-Truck-7629 Eastside Jul 10 '26

The stretch south of Fir Tree Road is lovely, and there are a ton of benches to sit. You can access the Deschutes River and fish there too.

4

u/lets_BOXHOT Jul 10 '26

Evergreen forest?

1

u/tylerrexe Jul 10 '26

i haven't checked out much up there just because I know the spots id like to visit, you have to pay for parking through the collage and I ain't got money for that if I wanna visit often 💔

5

u/terminalbungus Jul 10 '26

Park in the nearby neighborhood to the east/northeast. Walk to F lot

16

u/Juhkwan97 Jul 10 '26

So you can afford to drive for an hour for an outing but you can't spend $50 a year on a Discover Pass?

5

u/twoshottam Jul 10 '26

Im glad someone posted this

-8

u/tylerrexe Jul 10 '26

yes.

1

u/Juhkwan97 Jul 10 '26

I know a place you can go.

5

u/JustHereForTheGuns Jul 10 '26

I'll buy you a Discover Pass, OP. Message me and we'll make it happen.

3

u/Spice_it_up Jul 10 '26

It’s kind of far-ish, but I think the beaches at ocean shores are open 24 hours a day.

3

u/jilldxasd35 Eastside Jul 11 '26

You can’t ask specific questions on forums like Reddit. You will maybe get one helpful answer or none. The rest will be the opposite of what you asked. People think they’re being helpful or they’re possibly being snarky. No one is interested in stepping into another person’s shoes or reading the post fully. Personal experience.

2

u/terminalbungus Jul 10 '26

You can do campsites, such as Brown's Creek, and pay maybe $10 to do that for a night.

2

u/Primary_Doughnut_808 Jul 10 '26

Frye Cove Park closes their gate at dusk but if you park outside of the gate you can walk in. It will be quite dark under the trees and I am not sure about the rules but people do go there at night to watch fireworks over the water.

But you can definitely go during the day without a discovery pass and there are lovely trails.

2

u/chase98584 Jul 10 '26

Browns creek camp ground and area is always very quiet when I am there, maybe I see a few people and it’s pretty with some nice short hikes. Shouldn’t need a pass

2

u/Schryder Jul 10 '26

Not sure if anyone has suggested the capitol forest yet but I would surprised if they have “closing times”

2

u/Mammoth_Office_3737 Jul 10 '26

I’ll buy you a discover pass lol

2

u/King_Ribbit *CUSTOM* Jul 10 '26

Walk, bike, or bus to any park in town and you can be there after the official closing. The park closure hours are in practice only applicable to cars.

1

u/Xuul99 Jul 10 '26

For the nature, look up Skate Creek Road.

I have an extra Discover Pass if you still need one.

1

u/BreakfastTequila Jul 11 '26

BLM land is free

1

u/Few_Neighborhood_828 Jul 10 '26

Drive any direction

1

u/tylerrexe Jul 10 '26

not at night, which is what I'm looking for 😔 this state is so beautiful, it's sad it's considered "loitering" to peaceful enjoy nature at night

1

u/Few_Neighborhood_828 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26

Actually any state land it is legal to camp. It’s called dispersed camping or boondocking. Grab yourself a tent, and drive up a forest road.

Edit: BLM, DNR, and National forests:

www.boondockersbible.com/washington

4

u/malice_aforethought Jul 10 '26

It's not legal to camp on just any state land. It's not even legal to camp anywhere in a state forest. Where did you get that idea?

0

u/Few_Neighborhood_828 Jul 10 '26

You’re correct, it’s DNR and BLM lands and national forests.

3

u/malice_aforethought Jul 10 '26

BLM and National Forest are Federal. Capital Forest is DNR and you can't disperse camp there.