Entrance and Access Passes to New York State Parks
Administered by NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Please do not call DEC to obtain one of these passes. You must call the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) at one of the numbers listed below. Or you can obtain an application from the OPRHP website. See the link under "Off-Site Links" on the right side of this page.
New York State parks provide the public with wonderful opportunities to appreciate the State's environment and natural resources and to participate in a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Most state parks are operated by the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). Most forest preserves, wildlife management areas, and programs on public lands are operated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Free or discounted access passes are available from the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to qualified residents as described below.
Please note: All entrance and access passes are issued by the NYS OPRHP. The Department of Environmental Conservation does not issue entrance or access passes.
Empire Passport
The Empire Passport is issued by OPRHP. (See link in the right column under "Off-Site Links"). This pass provides unlimited day use vehicle entry to most of New York's state parks and recreational facilities for a full year. The Empire Passport provides access to most of the 168 State parks, 50 Department of Environmental Conservation day use ares in the forest preserve, as well as to boat launch sites, arboretums and park preserves.
Empire Passports can be obtained from OPRHP or their regional offices, or through the OPRHP website (see link under "Off-Site Links" on the right side of this page). For additional information, call (518) 474-0458 or write to: Empire Passport, NYS OPRHP, Empire State Plaza, Agency Building 1, Albany, NY 12238.
Access Pass for People With Disabilities
An access pass permits a resident of New York State with a permanent disability free use of parks, historic sites, and recreational facilities operated by OPRHP and the Department of Environmental Conservation. The passholder may have free use of facilities operated by these offices, for which there is normally a charge, for example, parking, camping, greens fees and swimming. The pass is not valid at any facility within a park operated by a private concern under contract to the State. To obtain an application visit the OPRHP website (see link under "Off-Site Links" on the right side of this page). For additional information, call (518) 474-2324 or write to: Access Pass, NYS OPRHP, Empire State Plaza, Agency Building 1, Albany, NY 12238.
Senior Residents
Under the OPRHP Golden Park Program, residents age 62 and older can obtain a reduced entrance fee to state historic sites, state-operated swimming, golf, tennis and boat rentals, and free vehicle entry to state parks and arboretums on weekdays (except holidays) by presenting a current valid NYS Driver's License or Non-Driver's Identification Card. To obtain an application visit the OPRHP website (see link under "Off-Site Links" on the right side of this page). For additional information, call (518) 474-0456 or write to: Golden Park Program, NYS OPRHP, Empire State Plaza, Agency Building 1, Albany, NY 12238.
Veterans with Disabilities
Veterans with disabilities may obtain free access passes from OPRHP. To obtain an application visit the OPRHP website (see link under "Off-Site Links" on the right side of this page). For additional information, call (518) 474-2324 or write to: Access Pass, NYS OPRHP, Empire State Plaza, Agency Building 1, Albany, NY 12238.
