Federal Recreation Passport Program

Federal Recreation Fees

Fee Demonstration Program

In 1996, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the National Park Service (NPS), the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the US Forest Service (USFS) were directed by Congress to implement the Recreational Fee Demonstration Program at up to 100 projects per agency.  This program allows for new or increased entrance fees, use fees, or special recreation permit fees to be collected.   The majority of the new revenue will remain in the area where it is collected.  These funds will be used for repair and rehabilitation of visitor facilities and for improved visitor services.  At the end of the demonstration program in 1999-2000, each agency will provide to Congress a report which evaluates the new fees and includes recommendations for further legislation on recreational fees.  Some of the new demonstration fees may not be subject to the terms of the Golden passports. 

Entrance Fee Passes

There are five congressionally authorized entrance fee passes.  The annual Golden Eagle Passport and the two lifetime passes, the Golden Age Passport and the Golden Access Passport, may be used at all Federally operated areas that charge LWCFA entrance fees.  Annual area-specific passes may be used only at the site in which they were purchased.  The annual Federal Duck Stamp may be used only at National Wildlife Refuges that charge entrance fees.  These passes provide options to paying entrance fees for every visit.   For the purposes of the information being given on this website the definition of "private vehicle" is defined as:  any private, non-commercial vehicle, such as: a passenger car, station wagon, pickup camper, or other motor vehicle that is conventionally used for private recreational purposes.  This includes company-owned automobiles and vehicles leased or rented for private recreation purposes.

Golden Eagle Passport

The Golden Eagle Passport is an entrance pass to most national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges that charge an entrance fee.  The Golden Eagle Passport 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 Golden Eagle Passport does NOT cover or reduce use fees, such as fees for camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or cave tours.  It is valid for entrance fees only.

The Golden Eagle Passport is good for a 12-month period starting with the date of purchase and ending the last day of the purchase month one year later.  It permits unlimited entries to all Federal entrance fee areas.  Those who plan several visits to Federal areas that charge entrance fees may save money by buying the Golden Eagle Passport rather than paying single-visit entrance fees.

Golden Eagle Passports may be purchased at any Federal area where an entrance fee is charged or by sending a check or money order (NO CASH PLEASE) for $50.00, to one of the Federal agencies***   listed at the end of this article.  Although it is not replaceable, refundable, or transferable, the Golden Eagle Passport may be purchased as a gift.   It must be validated by the signature of the holder.  ***   Golden Eagle Passports are NOT available from the US Army Corps of Engineers or the Bureau of Reclamation.

Golden Age Passport

The Golden Age Passport is a lifetime entrance pass, for citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are 62 years and older, to most national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges that charge an entrance fee. 

The Golden Age Passport 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, and children.

The Golden Age Passport also provides a 50% discount on Federal use fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and cave tours** .  It does not cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires***.

A Golden Age Passport MUST be obtained IN PERSON at any Federal area where an entrance fee is charged or at one of the agencies listed at the end of this article.  There is a one-time $10.00 processing charge to obtain the Golden Age Passport.  You must show proof of age using a driver's license, a birth certificate or similar document.

** In some cases where use fees are charged, the pass holder only will be given the 50% reduction, for example, cave tours, elevator services, or group camping.

*** The Forest Service requires private concession operators of Federally owned campgrounds on national forest lands to provide a 50% discount in the recreation use fee to Golden Age Passport holders.

Golden Access Passport

The Golden Access Passport is a lifetime entrance pass, to most national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges that charge an entrance fee.  It is available only to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who have been medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled.  

The Golden Access Passport 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, and children.

The Golden Access Passport also provides a 50% discount on Federal use fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and cave tours** .  It does not cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires***.

A Golden Access Passport MUST be obtained IN PERSON at any Federal area where an entrance fee is charged or at one of the agencies listed at the end of this article.  You may obtain a Golden Access Passport by showing proof of medically determined permanent disability or eligibility for receiving benefits under Federal law.

** In some cases where use fees are charged, the pass holder only will be given the 50% reduction, for example, cave tours, elevator services, or group camping.

*** The Forest Service requires private concession operators of Federally owned campgrounds on national forest lands to provide a 50% discount in the recreation use fee to Golden Age Passport holders.

Area-Specific Pass

The area-specific pass is an entrance pass to a specific park, monument, historic site, wildlife refuge, or recreation area in the national park or refuge system that charge an entrance fee.

The area-specific pass admits the permit holder and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle.  Where entry is not by private vehicle, the pass admits the pass holder, spouse, children, and parents.

The area-specific pass is good for a 12-month period starting on the day of purchase and ending the last day of the purchase month one year later.  The area-specific pass does not cover or reduce use fees, such as fees for camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or cave tours.  It is valid for entrance fees only.  It permits unlimited entries only to the specific unit in which it is purchased.

Those who plan visits to other Federal areas that charge an entrance fee may save money by buying the Golden Eagle Passport rather than purchasing an area-specific pass or paying individual entrance fees.

An area-specific pass may be purchased in person from the National Park Service or the  US Fish and Wildlife Service area where it will be honored.  The cost of the area-specific pass varies by area.  Contact the Superintendent or Refuge Manager of the area for details.  Superintendents' and Refuge Managers' addresses are available from the Headquarters Office listed at the end of this article.  Although it is not replaceable, refundable, or transferable, the area-specific pass can be purchased as a gift.