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National Forests & Grasslands in Texas - Recreation Passes & Permits
When you are ready to recreate on your national forests and grasslands, determine if your plans require a recreation fee and what types of passes are available.
Many recreation sites and activities on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas do not require a fee at all.
No matter where you are going on federal public lands, take advantage of the type of pass that will work best for you.
Reservations may be available in some campgrounds. Reservations can be made online at www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777 (toll free).
Which Pass Do I Need?
To make the best choice on which pass to purchase, you need to know a bit about your recreation plans for the next year. Your best value may be a single-day pass. Or if you’re a frequent visitor to one or more recreation sites, an annual pass that covers the forest may be more cost effective, like the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas Annual Day-Use Pass or the Sam Houston National Forest Annual Multiple-Use Trail Pass or Piney Creek Horse Trail Annual Pass.
An Interagency Annual Pass may be your best value if you plan to visit many different federal lands across the nation that include lands managed by other federal agencies. Currently, the Interagency Annual Pass does not apply at any of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas sites. You may also qualify for the Interagency Senior passes or Interagency Access Pass. The Interagency Access and Interagency Senior Pass does apply and entitles visitors to 50% off boat launch and swim beach areas, as well as 50% off camping fees at National Forests and Grasslands in Texas sites.
Annual Passes – National Forests and Grasslands in Texas
An annual pass is a great value and helps contribute to the great outdoors and sustains recreation opportunities on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas. Annual passes include a forest dayuse pass, OHV pass, and the Piney Creek Horse Trail pass.
Purchase a National Forest Annual Pass at a local district office. The Annual OHV Pass is available at the Sam Houston District Office. The Piney Creek Horse Trail Pass is available at the Davy Crockett District Office.
National Forests and Grassland in Texas Annual Day-Use Pass
If your recreation plans include visits to the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana, or nearby Army Corps of Engineers Sites, then a Forest Annual Day-Use Pass may be the right choice for you. The pass costs $30 and entitles you to unlimited day use in participating fee areas forest-wide for one year from month of issue. Recreation day-use fee areas in the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas (NFGT) include picnic areas, swim beaches, and boat launches.
The National Forest and Grasslands in Texas Annual Day-Use Pass is different from the Interagency Annual Pass and may only be used on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas.
Interagency Senior Pass and Interagency Access Pass holders are eligible for a 50% discount towards ONE of the National Forest and Grasslands in Texas Annual Day-Use Pass.
Check the Annual Day-Use Pass Brochure for the list of areas where the NFGT Annual Day-Use Pass may be used and how to purchase one.
Sam Houston National Forest Annual Multiple-Use Trail Pass
The annual trail pass provides easy admittance to the Sam Houston National Forest Multiple-Use Trail. The $25 annual pass is good for one year from date of purchase and is available at the following location:
Sam Houston Ranger District Office
394 FM 1375 West
New Waverly, Texas 77358
Phone: (936) 344-6205 or Toll free: 1-888-361-6908
Piney Creek Horse Trail Annual Permit
An annual permit for the Piney Creek Horse Trail is $50 per vehicle and is valid from January to December. Pemits are available for purchase at the following location:
Davy Crockett District Office
18551 State Highway 7 East
Kennard, Texas 75847
Phone: (936) 655-2299
Interagency Pass Information
The Interagency Annual Pass is not accepted at National Forest and Grasslands in Texas sites at this time.
However, the passes shown below are eligible for a 50% discount at boat launches and swim beaches, as well as 50% off camping fees at federal recreation areas that honor these passes:
For more pass information, visit our National Recreations Fees and Passes page or the USGS Pass Information page.
~ Click here to purchase passes online ~