NorthWest Forest Pass FAQs

Vehicle Use Permit
Frequently Asked Questions

WDFW Vehicle Use Permit

What is the Washington Vehicle Use Permit?
The 1998 Washington State Legislature established a parking permit requirement on certain Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lands. Implementation of this legislation created a use permit that was formerly known as the Access Stewardship Decal. Vehicle Use Permits are required at Wildlife Areas and Water Access Sites managed by WDFW.
 
What does a Washington Vehicle Use Permit Cost?
Hunters, fishers, and trappers get a Vehicle Use Permit without additional cost, as part of their first annual license purchase excluding the annual shellfish license.

Vehicle Use Permits purchased separately cost $10.95 and each additional permit is $5.45. These charges include the transaction fee amounts which are charged to the customer when the permits are issued through the Department of Fish and Wildlife WILD System. The WILD system is WDFW's recreational licensing system located at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov.

Vehicle Use Permits may designate up to two vehicles for use. Permits must be hung from the rear view mirror or placed in full view from outside the vehicle and have the license plate number of the vehicle written in the space provided on the permit itself.
 
What will the Washington Vehicle Use Permit money be spent on?
As use has increased, so has the routine maintenance burden. Access sites are also targets for illegal dumping and vandalism. The law specifies that revenue be spent on addressing all maintenance needs on statewide Department access area sites.

Why is the Vehicle Use Permit needed?
Though Washington is the smallest of the 11 western states, it is the second highest in human population density. This translates into a lot of recreationists wanting increased access to outdoor recreation, especially water access. While Department of Fish and Wildlife sites were developed to support hunting and fishing, new use (jet skiing, picnicking, kayaking, bird watching, hiking, etc.) is increasing. These new users do not financially support access maintenance, yet the maintenance burden increases.

Where are Vehicle Use Permits required?
A Vehicle Use Permit is required on all recreation sites owned by WDFW.

How can I get a Vehicle Use Permit?
Permits may be purchased online at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, telephone (toll free) 1-866-246-9453, and local fishing and hunting license dealers. Permits are no longer available for sale at WDFW offices, please purchase online or through a local license dealer.

What if I want to use Department lands but do not need a hunting or fishing license?
There are two options. If you wish, you may purchase a Vehicle Use Permit as a stand-alone license transaction. Proceeds from the sales of vehicle use permits are dedicated to the maintenance of WDFW access sites. Many recreationalists prefer to make a larger contribution to fish and wildlife stewardship projects. For these individuals, the Watchable Wildlife Decal package would be a better option. Packages cost $28.00 and include a decorative Watchable Wildlife Decal; a Vehicle Use Permit; and a subscription to WDFW's biannual newsletter, Crossing Paths with Wildlife; and the Wetland Wildlife and Their Habitat guide book . Funds from sales of the packages are used to maintain and enhance wildlife areas, and to support the development of sustainable wildlife viewing opportunities across the state. For more information, please contact Mike O'Malley, Watchable Wildlife Program Manager, at omallmfo@dfw.wa.gov.

How will the Vehicle Use Permit requirement be enforced?
The Department will focus on the need to inform as well as enforce the law. Non-compliant customers contacted at access sites will be given a fine.

What is the penalty for not having a Vehicle Use Permit?
The law reduced the penalty from a misdemeanor to an infraction making a violation equivalent to a parking ticket fine. This fine can be reduced by half if the registered vehicle owner provides proof to the court that he or she purchased a Vehicle Use Permit within 15 days after the issuance of the notice of the violation.

What are you doing to tell the public about this license requirement?
Besides this website, red and white regulatory signs are posted at the most popular sites. WDFW staff are also attending boat and sport shows handing out information and answering questions. Information is being published in WDFW regulation pamphlets.

What, exactly, is a Vehicle Use Permit good for?
Parking on or using all access sites owned by the Department, where a Vehicle Use Permit will be required. The Vehicle Use Permit is good for all people traveling in that vehicle. Each vehicle parking at a signed site is required to have a Vehicle Use Permit posted in their vehicle.

Are there any exceptions to the Vehicle Use Permit requirement?
Yes. The law specifies that youth groups may use access sites without having a Vehicle Use Permit "when accompanied by a vehicle use permit holder. Youth Group Leaders are eligible to receive complimentary temporary Vehicle Use Permits when conducting educational activities on Department access sites. Please contact the Wildlife Program at (360) 902-2515 to request a temporary vehicle use permit." The law also exempts the Department's parking facilities at the Columbia Gorge Concert Center. The Department will also occasionally temporarily suspend the requirement for special circumstances (e.g., Free Fishing Weekend, educational events).

Why don't I get a Vehicle Use Permit with a 2-day or shellfish/seaweed license?
The fees for these licenses are less than the $10.95 fee for buying a Vehicle Use Permit alone.

How do I get more information?
Access the Department of Fish and Wildlife Homepage, contact one of the Department's regional offices; look at the Vehicle Use Permit contact page.

NorthWest Forest Pass

Can I use my Vehicle Use Permit at NW Forest Pass sites?
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Vehicle Use Permit s are NOT valid at Northwest Forest Pass sites, and NW Forest Passes are are NOT valid at Vehicle Use Permit sites. You need a Northwest Forest Pass when parking on National Forest lands in Washington and Oregon. Likewise, you need a WDFW Vehicle Use Permit when parked on or using a posted WDFW access site.

I’m going hunting and fishing. Will I need a Northwest Forest Pass?
Yes, you may need a Northwest Forest Pass to park while hunting or fishing in National Forests in Oregon and Washington. Please check with a Forest Service office near your destination for information.

What is the Forest Service NW Forest Pass?
The Northwest Forest Pass helps pay for the recreation sites you use in National Forests. The Northwest Forest Pass is good at participating trailheads, picnic areas, boat launches, rustic campsites, in the National Forests of Oregon and Washington and in the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. This is part of a National Forest Service Recreation Fee Demo program.
 
What does a NW Forest Pass cost?
The Northwest Forest Pass is a per vehicle pass, good for one day ($5) or one year ($30) and is required to park at recreation sites on national forests where this fee is charged:  http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/passespermits/

NW Forest Passes may also be purchased at Forest Service offices, local vendors or by phone at 1-800-270-7504 or on the internet at Nature of the Northwest.

What will the NW Forest Pass money be spent on?
The revenue from Northwest Forest Passes is retained locally by the forests to maintain and improve facilities and trails, provide services and restore impacted sites.