Passes
The Southwestern Region 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 and service you enjoy.
Whether you need to pay a fee or obtain a pass depends on the type of sites you want to visit. Commonly, an "amenity fee" is required at sites with certain amenities, facilities, cultural resources, or other features that require maintenance.
Do I Need to Pay a Fee?
Whether you need to pay a fee depends on the type of sites you plan to visit. Day-use sites, sites with facilities or other features that require maintenance, often charge a "standard amenity fee" to help maintain the sites.
Does the site you plan to visit charge a fee:
- Fees are listed in the recreation section on each forest's website
- Go the webpage of the recreation site you plan to visit
- Locate the fees section
- Review fee details if any
Day-use site examples (fees covered by passes)
- picnic sites
- fishing areas
- recreation complexes
- trailheads
- observation areas
Sites with expanded amenity fees (not covered by passes)
- campgrounds
- highly developed boat launches and swimming areas
- cabin or lookout rentals
- group day-use sites
- concessionaire fees
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, or, at some sites, by using a "scan and pay" digital pass)
- Purchase daily, weekly, or annual passes for Arizona and New Mexico National Forests
- Buy an Interagency Pass
Examples of Sites with Standard Amenity Fees
Day Use: Picnic Sites
Day Use: Observation Areas
Day Use: Recreation Areas
Day Use: Fishing Sites
Visiting National Forests in Arizona and New Mexico?
When visiting Arizona and New Mexico National Forests and National Grasslands, the best pass for you depends on how often you'll visit and other criteria. This section described the different types of passes for Southwestern Region National Forests and National Grasslands.
Whether you need a pass or not depends on the sites you plan to visit and recreation activity (motorized trail-use, boat launch, shoreline, parking at certain sites). These can be purchased online, in an office, on-site, or from a vendor.
| Arizona National Forest | Pass | Covers | To Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coconino | Red Rock Passport | Day, week, annual passes for access to specific sites | Recreation.gov or from a vendor |
| Coconino | Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River | Reserving Access | Recreation.gov |
| Coconino | Lake Mary | Day-use | On site |
| Coconino | Casner Mountain Motorized Trail #8 | Vehicle permit for vehicles 62" or wider | Red Rock Ranger District 928-203-2900 |
| Coconino | Soldier Pass Road | Motorized trail access | Recreation.gov |
| Coronado | Annual Pass | Day, week, annual passes for access to specific sites | Recreation.gov or contact us |
| Prescott | Prescott Pass | Day, four-months, annual | Contact an office |
| Tonto | Tonto Daily | Day-use | Contact an office or vendor |
| Tonto | Watercraft Passes | Motorized watercraft | Contact an office or vendor |
| Tonto | Discovery Pass | Annual day-use pass and vehicle sticker | Contact an office |
| Tonto | Senior and Access Discovery Passes | Discounted day-use passes for people 62 years or older or living with a permanent disability. | Contact an office |
| Tonto National Forest | Off-Highway Vehicle Permit (OHV) | Motorized trail access in OHV permit zones | Recreation.gov or contact us |
Sites managed by concessionaires may have additional fees not covered by passes.
Purchase the New Mexico Enchantment Pass for day-use sites at Carson National Forest, Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands, Gila National Forest, Lincoln National Forest, and Santa Fe National Forest.
| New Mexico National Forest | Pass | Covers | To Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson | Enchantment Pass | Day-use sites | Contact an office |
| Cibola | Enchantment Pass | Day-use sites | Contact an office |
| Cibola | Digital Day-Use Pass for some sites | Day-use sites | Recreation.gov |
| Gila | Enchantment Pass | Day-use sites | Contact an office |
| Lincoln | Enchantment Pass | Day-use sites | Contact an office |
| Santa Fe | Enchantment Pass | Day-use sites | Contact an office |
Sites managed by concessionaires may have additional fees not covered by passes.
| National Grassland | Pass | Covers | To Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Kettle National Grassland | Digital Day-Use Pass for some sites | Day-use sites | Recreation.gov |
Passes for Federal Lands Nationwide
If you plan to visit multiple National Forests, National Parks and other federal lands an Interagency Pass may save you money. Interagency Passes covers Standard Amenity Fees at 2,000+ sites managed by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites, and entrance to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service sites.
Which pass is right for you?
If this applies to you, thank you for your service.
- Current members of the U.S. Military, dependents, veterans, or a Gold Star Family members may qualify for free Interagency passes.
- Gold Star Families and U.S. Military Veterans are eligible for a free Interagency Military Lifetime pass.
- Gold Star Families must have a valid Gold Star Family Voucher and Veterans must have a valid, veteran ID.
- If you are active-duty military or a dependent you may be eligible for a free Interagency Military Annual pass.
- This pass is valid for one year and covers entrance and day-use fees on Federal lands.
Covers Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites, and entrance to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service sites.
Gold Star Families and Veterans Active Military and Dependents
- If you are over the age of 16 and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, this pass may be an option for you.
- Children under 16 are always admitted free.
Covers Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites, and entrance to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service sites.
Volunteers on federal lands can earn a free New Mexico Enchantment Pass and a free Interagency Volunteer Pass, both good for one year.
Volunteer Interagency Pass
Interagency Volunteer Pass - 250 volunteer hours. Learn more
Volunteer Enchantment Pass (not an Interagency pass)
Volunteers and families who complete 24 or more hours of service in any of the give national forests in New Mexico will be eligible for a free annual Enchantment Pass.
One pass may be issued per year to an individual or family and are valid for one year.
There is no time frame for when you need to complete the 24 hours of service (one week, month, two years).
- Carson National Forest
- Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands
- Gila National Forest
- Lincoln National Forest
- Santa Fe National Forest
Volunteer hours may be accumulated for any forest-sponsored volunteer activity.
Once you qualify for the Volunteer Enchantment Pass, those hours can continue to accrue towards the Volunteer Interagency Pass (250 hours).
Are you 62 years of age or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident?
There are two Senior Passes available to United States citizens or permanent residents 62 years of age:
- Lifetime Senior pass
- Annual Senior pass.
Age verification is required.
Covers Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites, and entrance to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service sites.
This pass also grants a 50% at "expanded amenity fee" sites, such as campgrounds.
If you, or anyone in your party, lives with a permanent disability, the free lifetime Interagency ACCESS pass may be an option for you. The USGS may charge a processing fee for mailed passes.
- The Access Pass is available to US citizens with a medical determination and documentation of blindness or permanent disability.
- This pass is valid for pass holder's lifetime.
The Interagency Access Pass is a lifetime pass good for entrance and day-use fees on Federal lands.
This pass also grants a 50% at "expanded amenity fee" sites, such as campgrounds.
If you, or a member of your family, is a U.S. student in the 4th grade or home-school equivalent, you qualify for a free Interagency 4th Grade pass.
- This pass provides free access to fourth grade students and their families to most federal lands and waters.
- The pass is valid for the school year (September 1 - August 31) and grants free entry for fourth graders and three accompanying adults (or an entire car for drive-in parks) at more than 2,000 federally-managed sites.
- The pass also includes a free Christmas tree permit!
- Call ahead for exact details on how the pass applies to your adventures in the Southwestern Region.
Fee-Free Days and Free Passes for Kids and Volunteers
The Forest Service waives day-use fees at most recreation sites on certain days of the year. We encourage you to use this opportunity to explore new sites on federal lands nationwide. Some forest's may also offer additional fee-free days. Please visit the forest website for more information.
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 the New Mexico Enchantment Pass and a Volunteer Pass accepted by six federal land management agencies (Interagency Pass).
Volunteer 24 hours
- Volunteer 24 or more hours in New Mexico National Forests.
- Receive a free Enchantment Volunteer Pass.
- This pass is managed by the USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region.
- Volunteer 250 hours at Federal recreation lands nationwide.
- Receive a free Interagency Volunteer Pass.
- This pass is managed by the U.S. Geological Survey.
If you, or a member of your family, is a U.S. student in the 4th grade or home-school equivalent, you qualify for a free Interagency 4th Grade pass. This pass provides free access to fourth grade students and their families to most federal lands and waters.
The pass is valid for the school year and grants free entry for fourth graders and three accompanying adults (or an entire car for drive-in parks) at more than 2,000 federally-managed sites. The pass also includes a free Christmas tree permit! Call ahead for exact details on how the pass applies to your adventures in the Southwestern Region.
Support Sustainable Recreation
The benefits of purchasing recreation passes locally
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) (16 U.S.C. 6801-6814) states that 80% 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.
How to purchase Interagency Recreation Passes locally
Interagency passes can be purchased at staffed Forest Service offices, as well as online.
For More Information
If you have additional questions or need more information, please contact Ryan Means, ryan.t.means@usda.gov, or a ranger district office.
* Some exclusions apply. Passes that cover Standard Amenity Fees are not valid for Expanded Amenity Fees such as camping, tours, or Special Recreation Permits such as boat launches, or concessionaire fees.
Expanded Amenity Fee examples: campgrounds, highly developed boat launches and swimming areas, cabin or lookout rentals, and services like hookups, dump stations, special tours, transportation systems and reservation services. (Some Interagency Passes may offer a discount).
Recreation Special-Use Permit examples: shooting ranges, special events, specialized trail systems.