Passes
Not sure what pass you need? Read below or click on one of the links for more information on the types of passes available on the Mark Twain.
Interagency or Forest Pass?
- Forest Passes - Only good on the Mark Twain National Forest
- 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
- Day Use Passes - Some USDA Forest Service operated sites charge a day use fee. This fee can be paid on-site using the provided fee tubes.
- 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.
- Fees vary by site, but are usually only $2 or $3.
Annual Passes Available
Forest and Interagency passes are good for one (1) year.
Lifetime Passes
Available passes that are good for the lifetime of the passholder.
Motorcycle, ATV, UTV, and Mountain Bike Permits
Permit information for Suttons Bluff and Chadwick Trails
Where Can I Buy A Pass?
To buy a Mark Twain pass you will need to call or visit a Mark Twain office.
Interagency passes can be purchased online or from any nearby federal land management office.
Buy Online
Order Interagency Passes through the U.S. Geological Survey online or by phone (888) 275-8747.
Buy In Person
Order any pass by calling or visiting any Mark Twain National Forest office.
Find a Location
Interagency Passes can be purchased from other federal agencies. Find one near you.
Digital Payment Option Available!
Starting November 20, 2025, you’ll be able to purchase a Digital Annual Pass through Recreation.gov. This modernization is part of the federal government’s Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act to simplify and enhance public access to federal lands. https://www.recreation.gov/pass
We are working hard to make navigating these changes as smooth as possible for our visitors as we transition to accepting the Digital Annual Pass. We appreciate your patience as we lay the groundwork for a more connected, visitor-friendly future. We look forward to seeing you on the Mark Twain National Forest in the future!
With the Recreation.gov mobile app, you can scan QR codes at recreation sites and pay on the spot for first-come, first-serve camping or parking at trailheads and day use sites that require a fee. Visitors must download the app before leaving areas with cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity. Once you have the recreation.gov app loaded on your phone the scan-and-pay application will work offline as well.
Be prepared! Download the app to your cell phone, create your recreation.gov account and you’re ready to go!
Why Do I Need a Pass?
Many recreation activities in the Mark Twain 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 and permits that help you save money on day use fees.
How Are Fees Used?
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.