Eastern Region

Passes & Permits

FEDERAL RECREATION FEES

Under provisions of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (LWCFA) and Emergency Wetlands Resources Act (EWRA), entering or using facilities or services in some national parks, forests, wildlife refuges or outdoor recreation areas requires payment of entrance fees, use fees, special recreation permit fees, or some combination of these.

Entrance fees are those fees charged for entering designated federal LWCFA, EWRA and Recreational Fee Demonstration fee areas. Use fees are those fees charged for using facilities and services such as campgrounds, swimming sites, boat launch facilities, waterfowl blinds, or cave tours in designated federal LWCFA, EWRA and recreational Fee Demonstration fee areas. Special recreation permit fees are those fees charged for specialized uses, such as group activities, recreational activities, and use of motorized recreational vehicles in designated federal LWCFA, EWRA and Recreational Fee Demonstration fee areas.

The money collected is used to provide recreational opportunities. It also helps in conserving some of the best public lands, waters, and biological resources of our nation.

Where this symbol is displayed, a LWCFA fee is being charged.

Fee Demonstration Program

In 1996, the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service 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, user fees, or special recreational 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, 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 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 national wildlife refuges that charge entrance fees.

These passes provide options to paying entrance fees for every visit.

In this pamphlet, a private vehicle is defined as any private, noncommercial 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 recreational purposes.

GOLDEN EAGLE PASSPORT

The Golden Eagle Passport is an entrance pass to most national parks, historic sites, recreation area, 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 area.

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 $50 check or money order - do NOT send cash - to one of the agencies listed in this pamphlet.

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 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the Bureau of Reclamation.

GOLDEN AGE PASSPORT FOR PERSONS 62 for Persons 62 and Older

The Golden Age Passport is a lifetime entrance pass 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. (1) It does not cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners. (2)

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 in this pamphlet. There is a one-time $10 processing charge to obtain the Golden Age Passport. It is available only to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are 62 years or older. You must show proof of age such as a state driver's license, a birth certificate or a similar document.

(1) 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.

(2) 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 for Persons Who are Blind or Permanently Disabled

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.

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 of federal use fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and cave tours. (1) It does not cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires. (2)

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 in this pamphlet. It is available only to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who have been medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled. You may obtain a Golden Access Passport by showing proof of disability or eligibility for receiving benefits under federal law.

(1) 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.

(2) 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 specific park, monument, historic site, wildlife refuge, or recreation 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 with the date 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, 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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unit where it will be honored. The cost of area-specific passes varies by unit. Contact the superintendent or refuge manage of the area for detail. Superintendents' and Refuge Managers' addresses are available from the Headquarters office listed in this pamphlet.

Although it is not replaceable, refundable, or transferrable, the area-specific pass can be purchased as a gift.

Federal Duck Stamp

The Federal Duck Stamp was authorized in 1934 as a federal permit to hunt waterfowl and as a source of revenue to finance the purchase of wetlands. The Federal Duck Stamp now also serves as an annual entrance pass to national wildlife refuges that charge a LWCFA entrance fee.

The Federal Duck Stamp admits the stamp holder and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. Where entry is not by private vehicle, the stamp admits the stamp holder, spouse, children, and parents.

The Federal Duck Stamp does not cover or reduce use fees, such as fees for camping, parking, boat launching, and waterfowl blind rental. It is valid for entrance fees only.

The Federal Duck Stamp is good from July 1 through June 30 of the following year. It permits unlimited entries to all national wildlife refuges that charge a LWCFA entrance fee. It is not valid as an entrance pass outside the national wildlife refuge system.

Those who plan visits to one or more national wildlife refuges that charge a LWCFA entrance fee may save by buying the Federal Duck Stamp rather than paying single-visit entrance fees.

The Federal Duck Stamp can be purchased at post offices and many national wildlife refuges. It may also be purchased for $15.00 plus postage and handling by check, money order - do NOT send cash - Mastercard or VISA from the Federal Duck Stamp Office listed in this brochure; phone 1-888-534-0400, OR the U.S. Postal Service, Philatelic Sales Division, P.O. Box 419636, Kansas City, MO 64179, phone 1-800-782-6724; OR by visiting the sporting goods departments of Wal-Mart, Kmart, or other local sporting good stores.

Although it is not replaceable, refundable, or transferable, the Federal Duck Stamp can be purchased as a gift. To be valid as a refuge pass, the signature of the bearer must be on the face of the stamp.