Passes
America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes are a suite of annual and lifetime passes that provides U.S. citizens and visitors an affordable and convenient way to access Federal recreational lands. Participating agencies include the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, and US Army Corps of Engineers. Funds from the pass sales help federal agencies maintain visitor facilities and support the visitor experience.
The pass covers parking/standard amenity (day-use) fees on US Forest Service lands with the exception of concessionaire sites.
For information on which pass is best for you and how to purchase, visit: https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes
Passes are available for purchase in person at Ranger District Offices. Please call ahead, as appointments may be required. Passes are not sold at the Supervisors Office in Asheville.
Site specific passes not listed below can be purchased at recreation.gov
Annual Pass
An $80.00 Annual Pass provides access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by five Federal agencies, with up to 100% of the proceeds being used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.
- More information online from USGS Online Store
The $80.00 Lifetime Senior Pass provides admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six Federal agencies, with up to 100% of the proceeds being used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.
- More information online from USGS Online Store
The $20 Annual Senior Pass provides admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six Federal agencies, with up to 100% of the proceeds being used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.
- More information online from USGS Online Store
The Military Pass is free and available to Current U.S. Military, Veterans, Dependents and Gold Star families, and provides admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six Federal agencies.
- More information online from USGS Online Store
The Access Pass is a free, lifetime pass - available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability (does not have to be a 100% disability) - that provides admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies.
- More information online from USGS Online Store
The 4th Grade Pass is free and available to all U.S. 4th Graders (including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age). Educators can also be involved! Learn more at the Every Kid Outdoors website.
The pass is valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year through the following summer (September - August).
- More information online from USGS Online Store
The Volunteer Pass is an Annual Pass awarded to those individuals who volunteer 250 hours at one or more recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies as a way to say "thank you!"
- More information online from USGS Online Store
Site Specific Passes
Vendors for Flintlock Valley Shooting Range and Badin Lake Off-Highway Vehicle Passes
Shooting Range Passes - $60 for Annual, $10 for Daily
OHV Passes - $30 for Annual, $5 for Daily (will be available starting April 1, 2026)
Uwharrie Ranger Station – 789 Biscoe Rd. Troy, NC 27371, Selling both shooting range and OHV passes, cash and card accepted
El Dorado Outpost – 4021 NC Hwy 109 Troy, NC 27371, Selling both shooting range and OHV passes, CASH ONLY as of 1/12/2026
Little Foot’s Trading Post – 2000 NC HWY 109 Troy, NC 27371, Selling both shooting range passes and OHV area passes, accepting cash and card
Discover Uwharrie Welcome Center – 106 W Main St Troy, NC 27371, Selling both shooting range and OHV area passes, CREDIT CARD sales only
Swift Island BP – 4560 NC Hwy 24, Mt Gilead, NC 27306, Selling OHV passes, accepting cash and card
Shooting Range Passes - $30 for Annual, $5 for Daily
Shooting Range Passes Only:
Tagged Out Hunting- 472 East Main St, Sylva NC 28779
828-339-3302
Hop-In/Marathon- Sloan Road, Franklin NC 28734
828-369-7677
Cullasaja Exon- 6241 Highlands Rd, Franklin NC 28734
828-369-5666
Shooting Range passes may also be purchased online at recreation.gov
Shooting Range and Wayehutta ATV/UTV Passes
Shooting range and ATV/ UTV passes can be purchased at the Nantahala Ranger District as well as the Following locations:
Tuckasegee Trading Post- 7987 Highway 107, Cullowhee NC 28723
828-293-1514
Top Cat Grocery- 3275 US 441 South, Sylva NC 28779
828-586-0847
Caney Fork General Store- 6925 Hwy 107 South, Cullowhee NC 28723
Campground/Lodge Reservations:
All campgrounds except for Appletree Group Campground and Winesprings Horse Camp can be found on recreation.gov where reservations can be made. Appletree and Winesprings can be reserved through the Nantahala Ranger District office only. Customers must call the Nantahala Ranger District or visit us in person to make a reservation and make payment.
River Passes:
This pass gives access to the Nantahala River only; all other activities are operated by private vendors
Day Pass: $2
Annual Pass: $10
Vendor Locations: Brookside Campground, Carolina Outfitters, Endless Rivers, Adventures Fast Rivers, Nantahala Outdoor Center
Campgrounds
All campgrounds except for Bristol Fields Horse Camp can be purchased at www.recreation.gov. Bristol Fields Horse Camp pass can be purchased onsite with a fee envelope. Only cash or check is accepted.
Cheoah River
Daily Pass: $2.00. Passes are available at O’Henry’s River Parking and put-in on river release days. 8364 Tapoco Road Robbinsville NC 28771