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Passes

Many areas on the forests and grassland may be visited for free, but some areas require a day use fee for user recreation. View this helpful list of all fee-collecting day use areas on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grassland. Fees for these areas may be paid onsite using fee envelopes or purchased online ahead of time. Additionally, there are options for local and national day use passes that cover fees for an entire year. These options are outlined in detail below. Some recreation activities may also require state-regulated fees. 

Annual Day-Use Pass - Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests &Thunder Basin National Grassland

The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests offers two options for an Annual Day Use Pass.

Digital Option (valid 365 days)

Digital permit registered to license plate available online. The cost is $30 per year.

  • Pass is valid for one year from purchase date (365 days).
  • This pass is available to anyone.
  • Pass is a valid substitute for day use fees on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests.

Physical Pass (valid 1 calendar year)

Hard copy permit may be purchased at a ranger district office or at the visitor centers, however, please call for hours and pass availability. 

  • The cost is $30 per year.
  • Pass is valid for one calendar year (January 1 to December 31).
  • This pass is available to anyone.
  • Pass is a valid substitute for day use fees on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests.

National interagency recreation passes offer discounts, free entrances, and cover some standard amenity fees at recreation sites with the following federal agencies: U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation. Find out which Interagency Pass is right for you. 

You can buy passes online at the US Geological Service or at one of our offices. Please call the office before arrival to make sure the pass you need is available. The campground discounts are valid in the Medicine Bow-Routt Forests, however, discounts only apply with the Senior and Access passes. 

  • Annual Pass - Anyone over the age of 16 may purchase this pass for access to over 2,000 recreation areas managed by six different Federal agencies.
  • Every Kid Outdoors Grade Interagency Pass - 4th Grade students can get this pass for free to access to over 2,000 recreation areas managed by six different Federal agencies.
  • Senior Annual Pass - Residents 62 years of age or older may purchase for access to over 2,000 recreation areas managed by six different Federal agencies.
  • Senior Lifetime Pass - Residents 62 years of age or older may purchase for access to over 2,000 recreation areas managed by six different Federal agencies.
  • Veteran & Gold Star Lifetime Pass - Veterans and Gold Star Families can get this pass for free for access to over 2,000 recreation areas managed by six different Federal agencies.
  • Military Pass - Current military and dependents can get this pass for free for access to over 2,000 recreation areas managed by six different Federal agencies. 

Last updated June 10th, 2025

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