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Recreation Passes & Permits
Many recreation activities in the Ottawa National Forest are available at no cost to the recreational user.
Where developed recreation areas are concerned, however, there is a cost to operating these areas that is recouped through the use of day use fees.
To provide an affordable alternative for frequent visitors to the forests, or for folks who make their National Forests a destination for a week's vacation, we offer a variety of recreational passes and permits that help you save money on day use fees.
How to Buy
For your convenience, there are three ways to purchase a recreation pass.
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Order Interagency Passes through the U.S. Geological Survey online or by phone (888) 275-8747.
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Visit any National Forest Office or Visitor Center to purchase a pass. We recommend you call in advance to determine pass availability.
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Interagency Passes can be purchased from other federal agencies. Find one near you.
Sylvania Wilderness, Black River Harbor and Lake Ottawa Recreation Area
Permits are not required for hiking or dispersed camping on the Ottawa National Forest, with the exception of Sylvania Wilderness. The forest is open to the public year-round, except when extreme conditions threaten the forest (i.e. high potential of catastrophic fire, winter snow or extreme bad weather).
Forest Annual Pass
There is a day use fee of $5.00 at Sylvania Wilderness, Black River Harbor and Lake Ottawa Recreation Area. An annual pass is available that covers all three (3) areas.| Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good For? |
|---|---|---|
| Anyone | $30.00 | Jan 1 to Dec 31 |
More Information
This pass is accepted at Forest Service operated: Trailheads, boat/canoe launches, picnic areas and other "day use" recreation sites. This pass does not cover camping fees and is not accepted at Concessionaire operated sites.
Permits are required for entrance into the Sylvania Wilderness year round (see above).
- October 1 to May 14: day permits may be obtained from trailheads and camping permits are available from the kiosk at the Entrance Station.
- May 15 to September 30: all permits must be obtained from the Entrance Station.
For more information on the Sylvania Wilderness visit the recreation site page.
Annual Passes
Good at any Forest Service, National Park, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and US Fish and Wildlife Service sites that charge an entrance or standard amenity fee. Concessionaires may or may not honor any of the Interagency Passes, according to the terms of their current permit.
| Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good for? |
|---|---|---|
| Anyone | $80.00 | 1 year from date of purchase |
For More Information
Visit the National Website for information on what the pass covers, what it doesn't cover and what types of sites it can be used at.
| Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good for? |
|---|---|---|
| Anyone 62 or older | $80.00 | for pass holders lifetime |
| Anyone 62 or older | $20.00 | 1 year from date of purchase |
For More Information
Visit the National Website for information on what the pass covers, what it doesn't cover and what types of sites it can be used at.
| Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good for? |
|---|---|---|
| Active Military and their dependents | $0.00 | 1 year from date of purchase |
| Veterans and Gold Star Families | $0.00 | Indefinetly |
More Information
Visit the National Website for information on what the pass covers, what it doesn't cover and what types of sites it can be used at.
Active Military must show a Common Access Card/Geneva Conventions ID Card. Dependents must show a Uniformed Services ID Card - DD Form 1173.
- Veterans: Provide serial number from ID card on the fee payment envelope
- Gold Star Families: Download and print a voucher from the National Park Service website.
Gold Star Families as defined by DoD are next of kin of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a “qualifying situation,” such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the United States Armed Forces. The paper voucher itself can serve as the pass.
| Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good for? |
|---|---|---|
| 4th Graders/4th Grade Teachers/Home school and free-choice learners 10 years of age | $0.00 | Sept. to Aug. of 4th Grade school year |
More Information
Visit the Ever Kid Outdoors website for information on what the pass covers, what it doesn't cover and what types of sites it can be used at.
Digital versions of the paper pass (such as on smart phones or tablets) will not be accepted.
Lifetime Passes
Available passes that are good for the lifetime of the passholder.
| Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good for? |
|---|---|---|
| Anyone 62 or older | $80.00 | for pass holders lifetime |
| Anyone 62 or older | $20.00 | 1 year from date of purchase |
For More Information
Visit the National Website for information on what the pass covers, what it doesn't cover and what types of sites it can be used at.
| Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good for? |
|---|---|---|
| Anyone with a disability | $10.00 | for pass holders lifetime |
More Information
Visit the National Website for information on what the pass covers, what it doesn't cover and what types of sites it can be used at.
| Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good for? |
|---|---|---|
| Active Military and their dependents | $0.00 | 1 year from date of purchase |
| Veterans and Gold Star Families | $0.00 | Indefinitely |
More Information
Visit the National Website for information on what the pass covers, what it doesn't cover and what types of sites it can be used at.
Active Military must show a Common Access Card/Geneva Conventions ID Card. Dependents must show a Uniformed Services ID Card - DD Form 1173.
- Veterans: Provide serial number from ID card on the fee payment envelope
- Gold Star Families: Download and print a voucher from the National Park Service website.
Gold Star Families as defined by DoD are next of kin of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a “qualifying situation,” such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the United States Armed Forces. The paper voucher itself can serve as the pass.
Must provide documentation of disability from a licensed physician or a Federal Agency such as the VA to receive this pass
