The Pacific Southwest Region offers many activities such as hiking, biking, skiing, camping, birding, using cabins, driving for pleasure, harvesting mushrooms, and gathering firewood. Many of the facilities and services associated with these opportunities are free. Some do require fees or permits to help maintain, manage and improve the amenities that you enjoy.

Recreation Fees and Passes

National Passes

There are several pass options to consider. To make the best choice on which pass to purchase, you should think about your recreation plans for the next year. National passes cover entrance fees found a federal recreation areas such as National Parks and wildlife refuges. They also cover the use of facilities and services at many day use sites on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.

If you plan to recreate in many different spots across the nation, an Interagency Annual Pass may be your best value. You may also qualify for one of the Interagency Lifetime Passes (Interagency Senior Pass or Interagency Access Pass).

Interagency Passes are honored at Forest Service sites charging fees for use of many developed day use recreation sites; which may include picnic sites, low developed boat ramps, and trailheads. Interagency Passes may also provide discounts for camping at Forest Service operated campgrounds. For more information, see our "Frequently Asked Questions."

Regional Passes

Adventure Pass

Tree Logo for the 'Adventure Pass' program.

Wherever you live in Southern California, you're just a short drive away from a spectacular wildlands adventure -- recreating in the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, and San Bernardino National Forests! If you plan to visit one or more of the four National Forests in Southern California, you may want to consider an Adventure Pass.

Thank you: Your fees make a difference!

National Forests in California are using recreation fee revenues to improve and enhance recreation opportunities. See how your fees have made a difference!

About Recreation Fees

The Recreation Fee Demonstration program was enacted by Congress in 1996. It provided federal land management agencies with temporary authority to collect and retain recreation fees. In December 2004, President Bush signed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), which replaced the demonstration program and gave federal agencies a long-term, multi-agency recreation fee program.

The Act permits agencies to continue charging fees commensurate with the benefits and services provided at campgrounds, rental cabins, high impact recreation areas, and developed day use sites. These recreation fees provide funding that is critical for providing visitors with a quality recreation experience through enhanced facilities, services and opportunities.

Related Information

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