Passes

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 fees

There are several ways to pay the day-use fee to help maintain facilities and resources:

1. Pay each time you visit the site. Check your site's recreation page to see if there's a fee station nearby.
2. Buy a day-use pass at a ranger district office en route. Check for hours of operations.
3. Purchase a site-specific pass, such as the Tonto Discovery Pass.
4. Buy an Interagency Pass.
5. Purchase a day-use pass at a retail vendor site en route. 

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. 

For the current list visit Fee-Free Days.

Tonto Daily Passes are $8 each.

Tonto Daily Passes are available at Tonto National Forest offices and retail vendors across the Valley (please call retailers for availability).

Tonto Daily Passes cover use of the picnic sites, shorelines, and boat launches ONLY with Watercraft Use Sticker.

Tonto Daily Passes are hangtags, designed to be self-validating. Visitors scratch off the date and time of their visit upon reaching their forest destination. This design allows Tonto Daily Passes to be conveniently obtained in advance of forest visits. Passes expire 24 hours from time of validation.

Watercraft Use Stickers are $4 each. 

Watercraft Use Stickers are available at Tonto National Forest offices and retail vendors across the Valley (please call retailers for availability).

One sticker must be permanently affixed to a Tonto Daily Pass for each motorized watercraft that the vehicle tows or otherwise carries to the lake. "Motorized watercraft' means any watercraft that is propelled by machinery whether or not the machinery is the principal source of propulsion.

Tonto Discovery and Senior Discovery Passes include watercraft access and do NOT require a Watercraft Use Sticker.

 Tonto Discovery Passes are $80 each. 

Sold at Tonto National Forest offices only.  Tonto Discovery Passes are NOT available online.

Tonto Discovery Passes cover use of the picnic sites, shorelines, and boat launches.

The Tonto Discovery Pass is an annual pass valid for one year (expires at the end of the month and year punched on the card) from the time of purchase.  The Tonto Discovery Pass is valid for the pass holder (person(s) who signed the back of the pass) and the occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle.

Tonto Discovery Vehicle Sticker: Free
(With purchase of Tonto Discovery Pass)

This pass is meant for OPEN TOP vehicles only where the regular Discovery Pass hangtag cannot be used or can be easily stolen. It is meant to be placed on your front windshield and used as a Tonto Discovery Pass. It is valid for a year from the day you purchase it. Only one sticker will come at request with the purchase of a Tonto Discovery Pass.

Proof of current registration/ownership of your open top vehicle/motorcycle is required at time of issuance to validate and receive the vehicle sticker.  Customer must carry their Tonto Pass Hangtag with them when driving a vehicle with a vehicle sticker.

Tonto Senior and Access Discovery Passes are $60 each.

Sold at Tonto National Forest offices only.  Tonto Senior Discovery Passes are not available online.

Tonto Senior and Access Discovery Passes cover use of the picnic sites, shorelines, and boat launches.

Persons ages 62 or older, or persons who have been medically determined to have a permanent disability are eligible for the Tonto Discovery Senior/Access pass. The Tonto Senior and Access Discovery Passes are valid for the pass holder (or person who signed the back of the pass) and the occupants of a single, private, non-commercial vehicle.

America the Beautiful Interagency Passes are available by visiting Tonto National Forest offices in person or purchasing online at USGS.gov.

America the Beautiful Interagency Passes cover use of the picnic sites only.

The government has established the America the Beautiful -- the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Program (national interagency pass) that allows the public to access some fee areas without additional charge. This is very convenient and cost effective when traveling to several sites that charge an entrance fee. 

• The America the Beautiful Annual Pass for $80. Valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. Expires the last day of the month punched.
• The America the Beautiful Senior Lifetime Pass for $80.
• The America the Beautiful Senior Annual Pass for $20.
• The America the Beautiful Lifetime Access Pass is available free of charge to persons with a permanent disability.
• The America the Beautiful Annual Military pass is available to current Active Duty, Reserve, and Guard personnel.
• The America the Beautiful Lifetime Military pass is available to former U.S. military members.
• The America the Beautiful Every Kid Outdoors Pass (EKO) is available to current 4th grade students.

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Boat Launches

Shorelines

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Picnic Sites