Passes
The Coconino National Forest offers many free activities such as hiking, biking, camping, birding, scenic drives and more, but some locations require a fee to help maintain, manage and improve the amenities you enjoy.
Recreation Fees and Freebies
You may need to pay a recreation fee depending on which sites you plan to visit. You will know a site has a fee because it will be listed on each recreation site's webpage.
Does the site you plan to visit charge a fee:
- Check the site's recreation page
- Identify the fees section
- Fees are listed in the "fees" section
Recreation passes cover the fees at day-use sites that have standard amenity fees (day-use fees)
Day-use site examples (fees covered by passes)
- Picnic sites
- Fishing areas
- Recreation complexes
- Trailheads
- Observation areas
Sites not covered by passes
Sites that charge expanded amenity fees such as:
- Campgrounds
- Highly developed boat launches and swimming areas
- Cabin or lookout rentals
- Concessionaire-managed sites
There are several ways to pay the day-use fee to help maintain facilities and resources.
- Pay each time you visit the site (at a drop-box on site)
- Purchase a site-specific pass, like the Red Rock Pass
- Buy an Interagency (aka: America the Beautiful) pass
The Forest Service waives day-use fees at most recreation sites on certain days of the year, which include:
- Jan 18 - 20, 2025: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend
- Feb 15 - 17, 2025: President's Day Weekend
- May 24 - 26, 2025: Memorial Day Weekend
- Jun 14, 2025: National Get Outdoors Day
- Jun 19, 2025: Juneteenth
- Jul 4, 2025: Independence Day
- Aug 4, 2025: Great American Outdoors Day
- Aug 30 - Sep 1, 2025: Labor Day Weekend
- Sep 27, 2025: National Public Lands Day
- Oct 11 - 13, 2025: Columbus Day Weekend
- Nov 11, 2025: Veterans Day
- Nov 27, 2025: Thanksgiving Day
- Dec 25, 2025: Christmas Day
- Jan 1, 2026: New Year's Day
The Best Recreation Pass for You
If you travel often a recreation pass may save you money instead of paying onsite each time. The best pass for you depends on how often you'll visit and other criteria.
The Coconino National Forest accepts two types of recreation passes, which can be purchased at our offices.
Red Rock and Coconino Passes
Both the Red Rock Pass and Coconino Pass cover the fees at many (but not all) of our sites across the forest.
America the Beautiful Interagency Pass
The America the Beautiful Interagency Pass provides access to 2,000 recreation areas managed by federal land management agencies across the country. Free and discounted passes are also available.
Free Passes for Volunteers
Volunteers come together to be part of something greater than themselves. The perform crucial work that will make an impact now and for generations. Volunteers are eligible for a Volunteer Pass accepted by six federal land management agencies (Interagency Pass).
- Volunteer 250 hours at Federal recreation lands nationwide.
- Receive a free Interagency Volunteer Pass.
- This pass is managed by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Why Purchasing a Pass Locally Matters
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) (16 U.S.C. 6801-6814) states that 95% 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. Learn how recreation fees are reinvested into the Coconino National Forest!
Permits
Looking for forest permits?
Permits may be required for firewood, forest product collection (such as rocks, wildings or Christmas trees), commercial photography and filming, large parties and weddings, research, and outfitting and guiding services.