Recreation Passes & Permits
Purchase Recreation Passes
On-line
America the Beautiful Passes can be purchased online through the US Geological Survey website. A $10 processing will be charged and passes will be mailed. https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes.
In Person
Passes are available for purchase at any one of the six ranger districts.
- Bankhead National Forest, 1070 Highway 33, Double Springs, Alabama (205-489-5111)
- Conecuh National Forest, 24481 Alabama Hwy 55, Andalusia, Alabama (334-222-2555)
- Talladaga National Forest
- Oakmulgee District, 9901 Highway 5, Brent, Alabama (205-926-9765)
- Shoal Creek District, 45 Highway 281, Heflin, Alabama (256-463-2272)
- Talladega District, 1001 North Street (Hwy 21 North), Talladega, Alabama (256-362-2909)
- Tuskegee National Forest, 125 National Forest Road 949, Tuskegee, Alabama (334-727-2652)
- Currently, passes are not being sold at our Supervisor's Office.
If you are planning a trip to a national forest and need discounts, the Forest Service offers annual passes for day-use areas that entitle the holder to unlimited use in most day-use fee areas throughout the National Forests in Alabama. Such passes can allow the public to enter some fee areas without additional charge. If you’re going to use the day-use areas regularly, purchasing an annual pass will save money. They are also convenient when traveling to several public land areas that charge an entrance fee and are valid through each calendar year. Other federal discount programs are Interagency Senior and Access Passes that allow a 50 percent discount for camping and day-use fees.
Name | Cost | Type | How to Get One | Coverage Includes | Admits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNUAL PASS |
$80 |
An annual pass valid 12 months from month of purchase. Two people can sign the pass. |
Available at most staffed BLM, FWS, MPS, Reclamation, and USDA-FS recreation fee areas. Order online or 1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747, ext. #1) Online Recreation-fees-passes |
Access to and use of BLM, FWS, NPS, Reclamation and USDA-FS sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees. |
Admits the pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. For areas that charge a per person fee, the pass admits the pass owner and 3 additional adults (16 and older). |
VOLUNTEER PASS |
FREE |
An annual pass for those who volunteer 500 hours or more at Federal recreation sites. Valid 12 months from month of issues. One person can sign the pass. |
Obtain through Volunteer Coordinators at Federal recreation sites. Online Recreation-fees-passes |
Access to and use of BLM, FWS, NPS, Reclamation and USDA-FS sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees. |
Admits the pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. For areas that charge a per person fee, the pass admits the pass owner and 3 additional adults (16 and older). |
ANNUAL SENIOR PASS |
$20 |
An annual pass for citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. age 62 or older. One person can sign the pass. |
Obtain in person at staffed BLM, FWS, NPS, Reclamation, and USDA-FS recreation fee areas. Provide proof of age and residency. Online Recreation-fees-passes |
Access to and use of BLM, FWS, NPS, Reclamation and USDA_FS sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees. Also provides a 50 percent discount for pass owner on some expanded amenity fees such as camping (excluding hook-ups) boat launching, etc. |
Admits the pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. For areas that charge a per person fee, the pass admits the pass owner and 3 additional adults (16 and older). |
LIFETIME SENIOR PASS | $80 | A lifetime pass for citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. age 62 or older. One person can sign the pass. | Obtain in person at staffed BLM, FWS, NPS, Reclamation, and USDA-FS recreation fee areas. Provide proof of age and residency. Online Recreation-fees-passes | Access to and use of BLM, FWS, NPS, Reclamation and USDA_FS sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees. Also provides a 50 percent discount for pass owner on some expanded amenity fees such as camping (excluding hook-ups) boat launching, etc. | Admits the pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. For areas that charge a per person fee, the pass admits the pass owner and 3 additional adults (16 and older). |
ACCESS PASS |
FREE |
A lifetime pass for citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. who have a permanent disability regardless of age. One person can sign the pass. |
Obtain in person at staffed BLM, GWS, NPS, Reclamation, and USDA fee areas. Provide proof of medically determined permanent disability and residency. Online Recreation-fees-passes |
Access to and use of BLM, FWS, NPS, Reclamation and USDA_FS sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees. Also provides a 50 percent discount for pass owner on some expanded amenity fees such as camping (excluding hook-ups) boat launching, etc. |
Admits the pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. For areas that charge a per person fee, the pass admits the pass owner and 3 additional adults (16 and older). |
MILITARY PASS | FREE | An annual pass for active duty military personnel and their dependents with a valid military I.D. | Obtain in person at staffed BLM, FWS, NPS, Reclamation, and USDA-FS recreation fee areas. Provide proof of age and residency. Online Recreation-fees-passes | Access to and use of BLM, FWS, NPS, Reclamation and USDA_FS sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees. Also provides a 50 percent discount for pass owner on some expanded amenity fees such as camping (excluding hook-ups) boat launching, etc. | Admits the pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. For areas that charge a per person fee, the pass admits the pass owner and 3 additional adults (16 and older). |
4TH GRADE PASS | FREE | An annual pass for a 4th grade student with a printed paper pass for the Every Kid in a Park website. | Obtain at any Forest Service Office. Online Recreation-fees-passes | Access to and use of BLM, FWS, NPS, Reclamation and USDA-FS sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees. | Admits the pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. For areas that charge a per person fee, the pass admits the pass owner and 3 additional adults (16 and older). |
Recreation Permits
Permits are issued for recreation uses that serve the public, promote health and safety and protect the environment. Recreation permits may include:
- Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area/Trail
- River
- Wilderness
- Rifle Range**
- Group Activities**
- Recreation Events
**These activities have historically required a “Special Use Permit” which sometimes include a fee and sometimes are free. The Recreation Enhancement Act allows funds from these fees to now remain where collected.
A Special Use Permit grants rights or privileges of occupancy and use to the holder. Examples include reserving a public site for a wedding or holding a bicycle race on public lands. These permits contain specific terms and conditions that the holder must follow.
Before Special Use Permits are issued, the Forest Service must determine that the proposed use complies with all management plans and laws, that there is a demonstrated need for the activity, and that the use is appropriate on national forest system lands. Special Use Permits are a temporary authority.
Alerts & Warnings
- Prescribed Burn Alert for the Oakmulgee Ranger District
- Prescribed Burn Alert for the Bankhead National Forest
- Tuskegee NF- Closure of FSR 908
- Tuskegee National Forest Road and Trail Closures
- Kentuck Trail Closure
- Talladega NF – Shoal Creek District - Closure of FSR 548
- Tuskegee NF-Change in walk-in services offered (Sale or issuance of passes/maps)
- PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING ATVs
- Rules for Forest Visitors
- Law Enforcement Prohibited Acts