Colville National Forest

Passes & Permits - Northwest Forest Pass/Passports

NORTHWEST FOREST PASS/PASSPORT   RECREATION FEES Expect to need a Northwest Forest Pass where there are facilities, trails, or services that the Forest Serviceprovides to enhance your experience. It is good at participating trailheads, picnic areas, boat launches, rustic campsites, visitor centers, and interpretive sites in the national forests of Oregon and Washington, and in the North Cascades National Park Complex.   Free Days You do not need a Northwest Forest Pass on the following region-wide free days: • Earth Day, April 22 • Mother's Day, May 14 • Free Fishing Day, June 10 • Smokey Bear's Birthday, August 9   The pass is an opportunity for you to help care for your land-your natural legacy. 80% of the proceeds go directly towards restoring ecosystems, improving services, and maintaining recreation facilities. Watch for the "Northwest Forest Pass at Work" decal.   Most national forest system lands are open, free of charge for your use and enjoyment. Entrance and user fees may be charged at some areas. ENTRANCE FEES can be paid each time you visit a forest or grassland, or you can purchase a special pass, including the Golden Access Pass, Golden Age Pass, and Golden Eagle Pass. If you plan to use a facility (camping, parking, boat launch, ramps, etc.) in the forest, you may have to pay an additional USER FEE.

Pass Information

• Golden Access Passport
• Golden Age Passport
• Golden Eagle Passport

GOLDEN ACCESS PASSPORT

What Is It?

The Golden Access Passport is a free lifetime entrance pass to those federally-operated parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas and national wildlife refuges administered by the federal government which charges entrances fees. It is issued to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who have been medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled and as a result, are eligible to receive benefits under federal law. A permanent disability is a permanent physical, mental, or sensory impairment that substantially limits one or more of the person's major life activities. It also provides a 50 percent discount on most federal use fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, boat launching, parking, and so on.

Note:

- The Golden Access Passport does not cover fees for use of privately owned and operated facilities, and special recreation permits. In some cases where use fees are charged, only the permit holder will be given the 50 percent reduction, for example, cave tours, or elevator services.

-The Golden Access Passport admits the permit holder and any accompanying passengers in a single party, private, noncommercial vehicle. Where entry is not by private car, the passport admits the permit holder, spouse and children. A private, noncommercial vehicle is defined as any passenger car, station wagon, pickup/camper truck, recreation vehicle, or other motor vehicle used for private recreation purposes. This definition EXCLUDES a snowmobile, motorcycle, motor scooter, moped, or bicycle.

How Do I Get One?

A Golden Access Passport must be obtained in person. They are not available by mail. You must show proof of being medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled and therefore eligible for receiving benefits under federal law. Applicants for Golden Access Passports will be required to show documentation of medically determined permanent disability (EX. Document/ statement of permanent disability from a licensed physician; Veteran's Administration; or State vocational rehabilitation agency).

The Golden Access Passport is available at most federally operated recreation areas where it may be used. Thus, it is not necessary to obtain a passport before beginning a vacation trip.

GOLDEN AGE PASSPORT

What Is It?

The Golden Age Passport is a lifetime entrance pass to those national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas and national wildlife refuges administered by the federal government which charge entrance fees. It is issued to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are 62 or older. It also provides a 50 percent discount on most federal use fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, boat launching, parking, and so on.

Note:

- The Golden Age Passport does not cover fees for use of privately owned and operated facilities, and special recreation permits. In some cases where use fees are charged, only the permit holder will be given the 50 percent reduction, for example, cave tours, or elevator services.

- The Golden Age Passport admits the permit holder and any accompanying passengers in a single party, private, noncommercial vehicle. Where entry is not by private car, the passport admits the permit holder, spouse and children. A private, noncommercial vehicle is defined as any passenger car, station wagon, pickup/camper truck, recreation vehicle, or other motor vehicle used for private recreation purposes. This definition EXCLUDES a snowmobile, motorcycle, motor scooter, moped, or bicycle.

How Do I Get One?

A Golden Age Passport must be obtained in person. They are not available by mail. You must show proof of age in order to get a Golden Age Passport. This may be a state driver's license showing your birth date, a birth certificate, or similar document. There is a $10.00 fee for the card and if it is lost or stolen, another can be purchased for $10.00.

The Golden Age Passport is available at most federally operated recreation areas where it may be used. Thus, it is not necessary to obtain a passport before beginning a vacation trip.

The Golden Age Passport may be obtained in person at:

• Most Forest Service ranger station offices and supervisor's offices
• All National Park System areas where entrance fees are charged
• Bureau of Land Management state and district offices
• Tennessee Valley Authority - Land Between the Lakes and all recreation areas that charge fees
• All Fish and Wildlife Service regional offices and national wildlife refuges where entrance fees are charged
• Bureau of Reclamation - Hoover Dam
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Project Offices)

GOLDEN EAGLE PASSPORT

What Is It?

The Golden Eagle Passport is an annual entrance pass to federal lands including national parks, refuges, recreation areas, historic sites, and monuments that charge entrance fees. Its cost is $65. These areas are managed by the Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service. Golden Eagle Passes are accepted at these federally managed areas. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has no entrance fees on lands under its management. The Golden Eagle admits the pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. Where entry is not by private vehicle, the passport admits the pass holder, spouse, children, and parents. The Passport is valid for a 12-month period starting with the date of purchase and ending the last day of the purchase month one year later. The Golden Eagle Passport does not cover or reduce use fees, such as fees for camping, hiking, swimming, parking, boat launching, or cave tours. It is valid for entrance fees only.

How Do I Get One?

Purchase in person: Golden Eagle Passports are available at National Forest and National Park Offices.

Purchase by mail: send a $65 check or money order (do not send cash) to either:

Recreation Solutions, USDA - Forest Service
Customer Care Center
PO Box 587
Camino, CA 95709

National Park Service
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Room 138
Washington, DC 20242
Attention: Golden Eagle Passport

Purchase by phone: with a credit card may be made by calling (530) 647-5390 (California)

USDA Forest Service - Colville National Forest
Last Modified: Friday, 07 December 2007 at 11:03:24 EST