Passes
Many recreation activities in the Huron-Manistee National Forest are available at no cost to the recreational user.
Where developed recreation areas are concerned, however, there is a cost to operating these areas that is recouped through the use of day use fees.
To provide an affordable alternative for frequent visitors to the forests, or for folks who make their National Forests a destination for a week's vacation, we offer a variety of recreational passes that help you save money on day use fees.
Forest Passes - Only good on the Huron-Manistee National Forests
Some USDA Forest Service operated sites charge a day use fee. This fee can be paid on-site using the provided fee tubes, envelopes for fees are located on the bulletin boards. Fees must be paid using cash or check, no credit card machines are available at any sites. Annual and Lifetime passes can be purchased to cover day use fees at USDA Forest Service operated sites.
Annual Passes
| Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good for? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anyone | $30.00 | 12 months from the month of issuance, expiring the last day of that month | one annual pass; used per vehicle per year |
| Anyone | $45.00 | 12 months from the month of issuance, expiring the last day of that month | two annual passes sold together. Only sold at Forest Service Offices |
Weekly Pass
| Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good for? |
|---|---|---|
| Anyone | $15.00 | One, seven day period |
Day Pass
| Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good for? |
|---|---|---|
| Anyone | $5.00 | One day |
These passes are accepted at Forest Service operated trailheads, boat/canoe launches, picnic areas and other "day use" recreation sites. This pass does not cover camping fees and is not accepted at concessionaire operated sites.
For your convenience, daily and weekly passes can be purchased through Recreation.gov.
Passes can be purchased online through Recreation.gov
Call Recreation.gov to make a reservation at (888) 275-8747
Order any pass by calling any Huron-Manistee National Forest office.
Interagency Passes
Good at any Forest Service, National Park, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and US Fish and Wildlife Service sites that charge an entrance or standard amenity fee. Not valid for concessionaire operated standard amenity fees (day-use).
| Pass | Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good for? | Can be used for: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citizen Annual | US citizens | $80.00 | 12 months from the month of issuance, expiring the last day of that month | Standard amenity fees (day-use) |
| Non-Citizen Annual | Anyone | $250.00 | 12 months from the month of issuance, expiring the last day of that month | Standard amenity fees (day-use) |
| Senior Annual | US citizens or permanent residents ages 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship. | $20.00 | 12 months from the month of issuance, expiring the last day of that month | Standard amenity fees (day-use) Discounted expanded amenity fees (camping) |
| Senior Lifetime | US citizens or permanent residents ages 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship. | $80.00 | Lifetime | Standard amenity fees (day-use) Discounted expanded amenity fees (camping) |
| Military Annual | Current military and dependents | Free | 12 months from the month of issuance, expiring the last day of that month | Standard amenity fees (day-use) |
| Military Lifetime | Gold Star Families with a valid Gold Star Family Voucher and US military veterans with a valid, veteran ID. | Free | Lifetime | Standard amenity fees (day-use) |
| Access | US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship. | Free | Lifetime | Standard amenity fees (day-use) Discounted expanded amenity fees (camping) |
| 4th Grade Pass | US 4th graders, including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age, with a valid Every Kid Outdoors paper voucher | Free | 4th grader's school year though the following summer (September-August) | Standard amenity fees (day-use) |
| Volunteer | Volunteers with 250 service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program. | Free | 12 months from the month of issuance, expiring the last day of that month | Standard amenity fees (day-use) |
Recreation Enhancement Act (REA) benefits visitors to federal public lands by
Ninety-five percent of fees paid through the Recreation Enhancement Act stay local to help the Forest maintain high quality recreation facilities and trails and:
- increased field patrols by wilderness rangers/portage crews; wilderness maintenance for trails, portages, campsites; increased visitor contact by interpreters and other education projects;
- area-specific maps, brochures, travel planners, etc.; specific campsite cleanup and human waste removal; special field projects like boardwalks, weed removal, campsite restoration;
- volunteers supporting the wilderness program;
- administration of outfitter guides and cooperators;
- wilderness character monitoring and possible mitigation actions;
- safety advisories & training (blow down events, fires, etc.);
- maintenance of entry point facilities (kiosks) and access to entry points (ramps);
- permit reservation system support;
- support of emergency medical and rescue services; and special orders, like fire, or other emergency closures.
Huron-Manistee National Forests
| Pass | Who Can Buy | Price | How Long is it Good For? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camping Permit | Anyone | $10.00/per night | $9.00 transaction fee for each reservation made |
- Permits for Au Sable River Primitive Camping are required from April 15 to November 31. For more information on the sites visit the Au Sable River Primitive Camping section.
- Reservations may be made up to six (6) months prior to a visit, but must be made at least three (3) days of your expected arrival date.
- Camping Permits are required prior to occupying the campsite.
- For additional information call Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center.