Recreation Passes & Permits

Certain sites within National Forest Service Lands require you to either pay a fee on site or use a recreation pass. Day-use sites and sites with facilities are an example of sites that charge fees. Learn if a recreation site has a fee by visiting the site's recreation page. Whether you need to pay a fee or obtain a pass depends on the sites you plan to visit. The best pass for you depends on how often you'll visit and other criteria.

Examples of day-use sites

people having a picnic at a pavillion at the base of a hill surrounded by yellow flowers, grass and trees
Picnic Sites
couple looking out at a mountain vista
Observation Areas
an accessible metal bridge winding around rock clicks
Recreation Areas
man fishing on shoreline on sunny day
Fishing Sites

 

Visiting National Forests in Arizona and New Mexico?

You may need to pay a fee onsite or purchase a pass for certain recreation sites in Arizona and New Mexico National Forests. This section details the passes you may need.

I plan to visit specific day sites within Arizona National Forests. Do I need a pass?

If the site you wish to visit charges a Standard Amenity Fee*  you can:

  1. Pay onsite per visit.
  2. Purchase daily, weekly, or annual passes for  specific recreation sites. In addition to day-use passes, some forests sell passes that cover other types of the fees on the forest. Carefully review the pass details on each website and contact a ranger district if you have any questions.  
  3. Consider an Interagency Pass if you plan to visit multiple sites throughout Arizona and other states. 

Does the site you plan to visit charge a fee? Check the site's recreation webpage. Links to Arizona National Forests.

I plan to visit specific sites on National Forests and National Grasslands in New Mexico. Do I need a pass?

If the site you wish to visit charges a Standard Amenity Fee, you can:

  1. Pay onsite per visit.
  2. Purchase the New Mexico Enchantment Pass for day-use sites at Carson National Forest, Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands, Gila National Forest, Lincoln National Forest, and Santa Fe National Forest.
  3. Consider an Interagency Pass if you plan to visit multiple sites throughout New Mexico and other states.

Does the site you plan to visit charge a fee? Check the site's recreation webpage. Links to New Mexico National Forests.

 

Visiting Sites in Multiple States or Nationwide?

An Interagency Pass may be a good option for you

Interagency Passes covers Standard Amenity Fees * at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites, and entrance to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service sites.

If you plan to visit multiple sites across multiple federal agencies, an Interagency Pass may be best for you.

You may qualify for a free or discounted recreation pass

Do any of these situations apply to you or a member of your traveling party?

owl flying with full wingspan

If you, or anyone in your party, lives with a permanent disability, the free lifetime Interagency ACCESS pass may be an option for you. The USGS may charge a processing fee for mailed passes.

The Access Pass is available to US citizens with a medical determination and documentation of blindness or permanent disability.  This pass is valid for pass holder's lifetime.

The Interagency Access Pass is a lifetime pass good for entrance and day-use fees on Federal lands.

Order an Access Pass

If this applies to you, thank you for your service.

Current member of the U.S. Military, dependents, veterans, or a Gold Star Family members may qualify for free Interagency passes.

Gold Star Families and U.S. Military Veterans are eligible for a free Interagency Military Lifetime pass. Gold Star Families must have a valid Gold Star Family Voucher and Veterans must have a valid, veteran ID.

If you are active duty military or a dependent you may be eligible for a free Interagency Military Annual pass. This pass is valid for one year and covers entrance and day-use fees on Federal lands.

Covers Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites, and entrance to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service sites.

Gold Star Families and Veterans Active Military and Dependents

Are you 62 years of age or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident?

There are two Senior Passes available to United States citizens or permanent residents 62 years of age: the Lifetime Senior pass or the Annual Senior pass. Age verification is required.

Covers Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites, and entrance to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service sites.

Senior Pass Details

If you, or a member of your family, is a U.S. student in the 4th grade or home-school equivalent, you qualify for a free Interagency 4th Grade pass. This pass provides free access to fourth grade students and their families to most federal lands and waters.  

The pass is valid for the school year and grants free entry for fourth graders and three accompanying adults (or an entire car for drive-in parks) at more than 2,000 federally-managed sites. The pass also includes a free Christmas tree permit! Call ahead for exact details on how the pass applies to your adventures in the Southwestern Region.  

Get the pass

Volunteers on federal lands can earn a free New Mexico Enchantment Pass and a free Interagency Volunteer Pass, both good for one year.

Volunteer Interagency Pass

Interagency Volunteer Pass - 250 volunteer hours. Learn more

Volunteer Enchantment Pass (not an Interagency pass)

Volunteers and families who complete 24 or more hours of service (after October 1, 2023) in any of the give national forests in New Mexico will be eligible for a free annual Enchantment Pass.

One pass may be issued per year to an individual or family, and are valid for one year.

There is no time frame for when you need to complete the 24 hours of service (one week, month, two years).

  1. Carson National Forest
  2. Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands
  3. Gila National Forest
  4. Lincoln National Forest
  5. Santa Fe National Forest

Volunteer hours may be accumulated for any forest-sponsored volunteer activity.

 

Once you qualify for the Volunteer Enchantment Pass, those hours can continue to accrue towards the Volunteer Interagency Pass (250 hours).

 

If you are over the age of 16 and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, this pass may be an option for you. Children under 16 are always admitted free.

Covers Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites, and entrance to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service sites.

Annual Recreation Pass

 

Support Sustainable Recreation

The benefits of purchasing recreation passes locally

The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) (16 U.S.C. 6801-6814) states that 80% of Recreation fee revenues are retained locally by the National Forest unit, where the fee is paid. The fee revenue is used for the repair, maintenance, and facility enhancement directly related to visitor enjoyment, visitor access, and health and safety at recreation fee sites.

How to purchase Interagency Recreation Passes locally

Interagency passes can be purchased at staffed Forest Service offices, as well as online.

Arizona Offices New Mexico Offices

Need More Information?

If you have additional questions or need more information, please contact Ryan Means, ryan.t.means@usda.gov, or a ranger district office.

* Some exclusions apply. Passes that cover Standard Amenity Fees are not valid for Expanded Amenity Fees such as camping, tours, or Special Recreation Permits such as boat launches, or concessionaire fees. 

Expanded Amenity Fee examples: campgrounds, highly developed boat launches and swimming areas, cabin or lookout rentals, and services like hookups, dump stations, special tours, transportation systems and reservation services. (Some Interagency Passes may offer a discount). 

Recreation Special-Use Permit examples: shooting ranges, special events, specialized trail systems.