Passes
Certain activities in the national forest require a pass or permit. You will need a pass or permit if you are:
- Riding an off-highway vehicle on motorized trails.
- Gathering firewood in permitted areas.
- Collecting certain forest products.
- Collecting American ginseng.
- Hosting an event in the national forest.
- Using national forest system land for commercial and business purposes.
- Requiring the use or occupancy of National Forest System land for access or service purposes.
- Guiding or outfitting visitors.
The sections below detail the permits needed for these activities and how to acquire one. If you have a question, contact us.
Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Passes
Trail passes are required for visitors to ride an off-highway vehicle on motorized trails. All drivers and passengers aged 16 and older are required to have this trail pass. Passes must be displayed while the vehicle is in operation on the trails. See our Rules and Regulations for OHV Riding page for more information.
Hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding do not require a trail pass.
The national forest has nearly 150 miles of motorized trails open to off-highway vehicles that are no more than 50 inches wide.
Types of Passes Available
Two types of passes are offered:
Seasonal Pass: $35.00
The seasonal pass is good for riding throughout the entire trail season. The trail season generally runs from April through December.
3-day Pass: $20.00
The 3-day pass is good for a three-day ride. A three-day period is defined as from midnight (12:01 a.m.) of the first day punched to midnight of the third day (11:59 p.m.).
How to Get a Pass
Passes can be obtained in one of three ways:
- Purchase a pass from your local ranger station.
- Purchase a pass online through Pay.gov
- Purchase a pass from an authorized local vendor.
Passes ordered online can take up to ten business days for processing and delivery to your address.
Using Trail Passes
Trail passes are a decal that must be display on either a visitor’s vehicle, helmet, or clothing while they are riding the motorized trails. Passes are assigned to a single person, and are not transferable. Passes are non-refundable.
America The Beautiful Passes
Big changes are here – the America the Beautiful Passes are going digital!
Digital Annual Passes will be available for purchase through Recreation.gov beginning November 20, 2025, at 12pm ET, making it easier than ever to plan trips and visit Wayne National Forest! Digital Annual Passes allow you to:
- Easily access, store, and manage your pass alongside other reservations in one centralized location
- Save your pass directly to your mobile wallet on your mobile device for ease of access once you arrive
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.
We are hard at work to make navigating these changes as smooth as possible for our visitors, as we transition through the new year. We appreciate your patience as we lay the groundwork for a more connected, visitor-friendly future.
Stay tuned for other passes in the America the Beautiful Pass series (Senior Annual, Senior Lifetime, Military Annual, Military Lifetime, Every Kid Outdoors 4th Grade, and Access) going digital in January 2026!