Recreation Fees and Passes

If you’re ready to recreate on your national forests and grasslands we can help you determine whether the activity you want to do requires a recreation fee and what types of passes are available.

Where Are You Going?

First, determine whether or not the site you plan to visit requires a fee. You can navigate to the site you plan to visit using the interactive visitor map. The map will help you determine where you want to go and will lead to you the Forest website, which will tell you whether or not the site has a fee. If you are uncertain, you should contact the national forest you plan to visit for more information.

Which Pass Do I Need?

To make the best choice on which pass to purchase, you need to know a bit about your recreation plans for the next year. Your best value may be a single-day pass. Or if you’re a frequent visitor to one or more sites, a multi-day pass or annual pass that covers a forest or region may be the best buy. Forest Service regions offer more ‘localized’ passes and you can find information about those on the respective forest and grassland websites.

An Interagency Annual Pass may be your best value if you plan to visit many different federal lands across the nation that include lands managed by other federal agencies. You may also qualify for one of the Interagency Lifetime Passes (Interagency Senior Pass or Interagency Access Pass). Below is a list of all the available Interagency Passes.

New for the 2015-16 school year is the Every Kid in a Park pass, which gives fourth graders during that year free access to 2,000-plus federal recreation sites. Detailed information about that pass is available on the Every Kid site. (www.everykidinapark.org)

Click on each to learn who qualifies for one and what they cover.

Interagency Annual Pass

Cost	$80 Annually
Who Qualifies	Anyone can purchase an Interagency Annual Pass.
Benefits	Honored nationwide at all Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Fish & Wildlife Service sites charging entrance or standard amenity fees. Valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. Expires the last day of the month punched. Has two signature lines and any two individuals may sign the pass. Both are considered pass holders. Admits pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. At per-person fee sites, admits pass holder and up to 3 persons. Persons 15 and younger are admitted free of charge. Frequent visitors of multiple federal agency lands may save money by buying an Interagency Annual Pass. Receives a 50% discount on some expanded amenity fees like campgrounds (does not include hookups for water/sewer/electricity), highly developed boat launches and swimming sites and for specialized interpretive services.
Validation	The date is validated by the seller at the time of purchase, unless it is being purchased for another as a gift. The pass is not valid for use until at least one person signs the pass.
Display	At staffed sites, show your pass to the booth attendant. At unstaffed sites, use hangtag to display pass from rear-view mirror. Hangtags are available wherever you purchase a pass. At per-person sites, present pass upon request.
Other Important Details	Nontransferable. Once signed, the pass may not be given to or used by anyone whose name is not on the pass. Concessionaires may or may not honor his pass, according to the terms of their current permit. Decals may be issued free for open topped vehicles at unstaffed sites Decals are only valid when the owner has an accompanying valid pass. Does not cover expanded amenity fees or special recreation permits.
How to Obtain a Pass and Hangtag	Online at http://store.usgs.gov or at most national forest or grassland offices.

Every Kid in a Park 4th grade pass

Cost	Free
Who Qualifies	Any 4^th grader (or 10 year-old for those who are in alternative school environments) who completes the education material on the Every Kid in a Park website.
Benefits	Available to U.S. 4^th graders (including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age) who present a valid Every Kid in a Park paper pass. Valid for the duration of the 4^th grade school year through the following summer (September -August). Honored nationwide at Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Fish & Wildlife Service sites charging entrance or standard amenity fees. Admits pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. At per-person fee sites, admits pass holder and up to 3 people who are 16 and older (for a maximum of four people). Anyone 15 and younger is free of charge.
Paper Passes	Paper passes can be obtained by visiting the Every Kid in a Park website. Paper passes should be exchanged for a plastic 4^th Grade Pass; however paper passes are also considered valid passes. Digital versions of the paper pass (such as on smart phones or tablets) will not be accepted to exchange for an Annual 4^th Grade Pass.
Learn More	Educators can also be involved! Learn more at the Every Kid in a Park website.

Interagency Annual Military Pass

Cost	Free
Who Qualifies	Active military personnel and their dependents.
Benefits	Honored nationwide at all Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Fish & Wildlife Service sites charging entrance or standard amenity fees. Valid for 12 months from the month of issue. Expires the last day of the month punched. Has two signature lines and can be signed by another active military member or dependent at any time. Both are considered pass holders. Admits pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. At per-person fee sites, admits pass holder and up to 3 people. Persons 15 and younger are admitted free of charge.
Validation	The date is validated when you purchase the pass. The pass is not valid for use until at least one person signs the pass.
Display	At staffed sites, show your pass to the booth attendant. At unstaffed sites, use a hangtag to display pass from rear-view mirror. Hangtags are available wherever you purchase a pass. At per-person sites, present pass upon request.
Eligibility Requirements	1. If you are active duty military, you must provide your Department of Defense Common Access Card - Geneva Conventions Identification Card. 2. If you are the dependent of an active duty military member, you must provide a Department of Defense Uniformed Services Identification Card - DD Form 1173.
Other Important Details	Nontransferable. Once signed, the pass may not be given to or used by anyone whose name is not on the pass. Belongs to the signer(s) only and s/he must be present for the pass to be used. Photo identification may be requested to verify pass ownership. Concessionaires may or may not honor the Interagency Annual Military Pass, according to the terms of their current permit. Decals may be issued free for open topped vehicles at unstaffed sites Decals are only valid when the owner has an accompanying valid pass. Does not cover expanded amenity fees or special recreation permits.
How to Obtain a Pass and Hangtag	Available at most national forest or grassland offices.

Interagency Senior Pass

Cost	$10 Lifetime
Who Qualifies	Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. Must be 62 years of age or older. Must obtain in person. Must show proof of age, which may be a state driver's license showing birth date, a birth certificate, or similar document.
Benefits	Honored nationwide at all Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Fish & Wildlife Service sites charging entrance or standard amenity fees. Valid for pass holder's lifetime. Admits pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. At per-person fee areas, admits pass holder and up to 3 persons. Persons 15 and younger are admitted free of charge. Receives a 50% discount on some expanded amenity fees like campgrounds (does not include hookups for water/sewer/electricity), highly developed boat launches and swimming sites and for specialized interpretive services. Generally applies to: Single family campsites Highly developed boat launches or swimming sites Guided tours, movies and seminars (pass holder only) Does not apply to: Additional campsites not occupied by pass holder Flat fee for a group campsite Separate fee for utility hookups
Display	At staffed sites, show your pass to the booth attendant. At unstaffed sites, use hangtag to display pass from rear-view mirror. Hangtags are available wherever you purchase a pass. At per-person sites, present pass upon request.
Other Important Details	Nontransferable. Belongs to the signer only and s/he must be present for the pass to be used. Photo identification may be requested to verify pass ownership. Concessionaires may or may not honor this pass, according to the terms of their current permit. Pass holders receive a 50% discount on some expanded amenity fees. Decals may be issued free for open topped vehicles at unstaffed sites. Decals are only valid when the owner has an accompanying valid pass. Are not valid for any special recreation permits.
How to Obtain a Pass and Hangtag	Available online at http://store.usgs.gov or at most national forest or grassland offices. Passes purchased through USGS have an extra $10 processing fee.

Interagency Access Pass

Cost	Free, lifetime
Who Qualifies	Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. Must have a medical determination and documentation of blindness or permanent disability.
Benefits	Honored nationwide at all Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Fish & Wildlife Service sites charging entrance or standard amenity fees. Valid for pass holder's lifetime. Admits pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. At per-person fee sites, admits pass holder and up to 3 persons. Persons 15 and younger are admitted free of charge. Receives a 50% discount on some expanded amenity fees like campgrounds (does not include hookups for water/sewer/electricity), highly developed boat launches and swimming sites and for specialized interpretive services. Generally applies to: Single family campsites Highly developed boat launches or swimming sites Guided tours, movies and seminars (pass holder only) Does not apply to: Additional campsites not occupied by pass holder Flat fee for a group campsite Separate fee for utility hookups On some expanded amenity fees like campgrounds (does not include hookups for water/sewer/electricity), highly developed boat launches and swimming sites and for specialized interpretive services.
Display	At staffed sites, show your pass to the booth attendant. At unstaffed sites, use hangtag to display pass from rear-view mirror. Hangtags are available wherever you purchase a pass. At per-person sites, present pass upon request.
Documentation Required	Must submit one of the following documents in person: 1. A statement signed by a licensed physician attesting that the applicant has a permanent physical, mental, or sensory impairment that severely limits one or more major life activity. 2. A document issued by a federal agency, such as the Veteran's Administration, which attests that the applicant has been medically determined to be eligible to receive federal benefits as a result of disability. Other acceptable federal agency documents include proof of receipt of Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to disability. 3. A document issued by a state agency, such as the vocational rehabilitation agency, which attests that the applicant has been medically determined to be eligible to receive that agencies benefits or services as a result of medically determined permanent disability. Showing a state motor vehicle department disability sticker, license plate, or hang tag is not acceptable documentation.
Other Important Details	Nontransferable. Belongs to the signer only and s/he must be present for the pass to be used. Photo identification may be requested to verify pass ownership. Concessionaires may or may not honor this pass, according to the terms of their current permit. Holders receive a 50% discount on some expanded amenity fees. Decals may be issued free for open topped vehicles at unstaffed sites. Decals are only valid when the owner has an accompanying valid pass. Are not valid for any special recreation permits.
How to Obtain a Pass and Hangtag	Available online at http://store.usgs.gov or at most national forest or grassland offices. Passes issued through USGS have a $10 processing fee.

Interagency Volunteer Pass

Cost	Free
Who Qualifies	U.S. citizens or permanent residents who individually accrue 250 volunteer hours.
Benefits	Honored nationwide at all Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Fish & Wildlife Service sites charging entrance or standard amenity fees. Valid for 12 months from the month of issue. Expires the last day of the month punched. Admits pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. At per-person fee sites, admits pass holder and up to 3 persons. Persons 15 and younger are admitted free of charge.
Validation	The date is validated by the issuer at the time of issue. The pass is not valid for use until volunteer signs the pass.
Display	At staffed sites, show your pass to the booth attendant. At unstaffed sites, use hangtag to display pass from rear-view mirror. Hangtags are available wherever you purchase a pass. At per-person sites, present pass upon request.
Eligibility Requirements	The pass is available through agency volunteer program coordinators. Work with your local forest volunteer coordinator to ensure your volunteer hours are tracked and recorded. A volunteer may begin to accrue hours on or after January 1, 2007. There is no specific time frame in which the volunteer hours must be accrued. Only one pass may be issued per year to an individual. Once a pass is awarded, volunteer hours are set back to zero. Volunteer hours may be accrued for any agency-sponsored volunteer activity. Individual volunteers may also accumulate hours while working with a group.
Other Important Details	Non-transferable and non-replaceable if lost or stolen. Belongs to the signer only and s/he must be present for the pass to be used. Photo identification may be requested to verify pass ownership. Decals may be issued free for open topped vehicles at unstaffed sites Decals are only valid when the owner has an accompanying valid pass. Does not cover expanded amenity fees or special recreation permits.
How to Obtain a Pass and Hangtag	Available at most national forest or grassland offices.
Volunteer Opportunities	https://www.volunteer.gov/

Where Are You Going?

Which Pass Do I Need?

Chief Financial Officer

Office of the Chief

Business Operations

National Forest System

Research and Development

State and Private Forestry