In honor of the National Park Service centennial, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is offering free entrance to state parks on Thursday, Aug. 25 — the anniversary of the federal agency, which was established Aug. 25, 1916. Day-use visitors will not need a Discover Pass to visit state parks.

Nearby state parks include Dash Point State Park (5700 SW Dash Point Rd., Federal Way) and Saltwater State Park (25205 8th Pl. S., Des Moines).

“This is a very special year for the National Park System, as it celebrates its 100th anniversary,” said Don Hoch, the director of Washington State Parks. “We want to acknowledge and honor this milestone. Washington State Parks and the National Park Service share common goals — to preserve and protect natural and cultural resources and to provide public access to these special lands for generations to come.”

State Parks “free days” are in keeping with legislation that created the Discover Pass, a $30 annual or $10 one-day permit required on lands managed by Washington State Parks, the Washington departments of Natural Resources and Fish & Wildlife. The Discover Pass legislation provided that State Parks could designate up to 12 “free days” each year when the pass would not be required to visit state parks.

Free days apply only to day-use visits with vehicles, not overnight stays or rented facilities.

Washington State Parks is offering two more “free days” in 2017: Sept. 24, recognizing National Public Lands Day, and Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day.