Passes
Many recreation activities in the Ottawa 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 to Buy
For your convenience, there are three ways to purchase a recreation pass.
Through U.S. Geological Survey
Order Interagency Passes through the U.S. Geological Survey online or by phone (888) 275-8747.
From a Local Office
Order any pass by calling any Ottawa National Forest office.
Other Federal Agencies
Interagency Passes can be purchased from other federal agencies. Find one near you.
Day Use and Camping
There is a day use fee of $5.00 at Sylvania Wilderness, Black River Harbor, and Lake Ottawa Recreation Area. An annual pass is available that covers all three (3) areas.
Permits are not required for hiking or dispersed camping on the Ottawa National Forest, with the exception of Sylvania Wilderness. The forest is open to the public year-round, except when extreme conditions threaten the forest (i.e. high potential of catastrophic fire, winter snow or extreme bad weather).
Forest Annual Pass
The annual pass can be purchased by anyone for $30.00 and is good from Jan 1 to Dec 31.
More Information
This pass is 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.
Permits are required for entrance into the Sylvania Wilderness year-round (see above).
- October 1 to May 14: day permits may be obtained from trailheads and camping permits are available from the kiosk at the Entrance Station.
- May 15 to September 30: all permits must be obtained from the Entrance Station.
For more information on the Sylvania Wilderness visit the recreation site page.
Annual 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. Concessionaires may or may not honor any of the Interagency Passes, according to the terms of their current permit.
Available for purchase by anyone for $80.00. Good for 1 year from date of purchase.
More Information
Visit the National Website for information on what the pass covers, what it doesn't cover and what types of sites it can be used at.
Senior Annual Pass
Anyone 62 or older can purchase the Senior Annual Pass for $20.00. Good for the full calendar year (Jan 1 - Dec 31).
More Information
Learn more about Senior Passes on the USGS Site.
Military Annual Pass
Available at no cost for Active Military and their dependents ($10.00 shipping fee). Good for 1 year from date of purchase.
Active Military must show a Common Access Card/Geneva Conventions ID Card. Dependents must show a Uniformed Services ID Card - DD Form 1173.
Available at no cost for 4th Graders/4th Grade Teachers/Homeschool and free-choice learners 10 years of age. Good for the duration of the 4th grade school year through the following summer (Sept- Aug).
Create and Print Voucher Online
More Information
Visit the Ever Kid Outdoors website for information on what the pass covers, what it doesn't cover and what types of sites it can be used at.
Digital versions of the paper pass (such as on smart phones or tablets) will not be accepted. You must have a printed voucher from the Every Kid Outdoors website.
Lifetime Passes
Available passes that are good for the lifetime of the passholder.
Lifetime Senior Pass
Anyone 62 or older can purchase the Senior Annual Pass for $80.00. Good for pass holder's lifetime.
More Information
Learn more about Senior Passes on the USGS Site.
Access Pass
Available at no cost ($10.00 shipping fee) for anyone that has been medically determined to have a permanent disability. Good for the pass holder's lifetime.
More Information
More information on the Access Pass is available on the USGS website.
Military Lifetime Pass
Available at no cost for Veterans and Gold Star Families ($10.00 shipping fee). Good indefinitely.
- Veterans: Provide serial number from ID card on the fee payment envelope.
- Gold Star Families: Download and print a voucher from the National Park Service website.
Gold Star Families as defined by DoD are next of kin of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a “qualifying situation,” such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the United States Armed Forces. The paper voucher itself can serve as the pass.