A state park annual pass typically breaks even after just a few visits, but in some states, the benefits add up even faster. Across the U.S., in addition to covering entry fees, perks sometimes include discounts on camping plus retail savings at gift shops.
Entry fees seem to be creeping up at state parks, just as they are on almost everything else in a travel budget. Depending on the state, fees are charged per vehicle or per person (which can add up quickly). In some states, you have to pay an entry fee to the park even if you are camping. One way to reduce costs is to purchase a state park pass if you plan to be in a state for more than a quick stopover or, obviously, if you live there.
Beyond saving money at the gate, these passes often offer convenience and perks. We’re partial to the annual pass in Texas because we spend a lot of time there, but also because it offers one of the best values nationwide.
For one, it provides unlimited entry to the 86 Texas state parks for everyone in your vehicle. That can be a significant savings, especially since you have to pay an entry fee even if renting a campsite. Plus, you get a 50% discount on the second night of camping and a 10% discount in the gift shops.
If you’re a Michigan resident, you can just tack $14 onto your license plate fee and gain unlimited free entry to all 103 state parks for a year. We aren’t in Michigan for most of the year anymore, but we still buy the annual “Recreation Passport” because it’s super cheap and a great way to help raise funds for park maintenance. Other states also offer discounts and perks with annual passes, so we’ve broken them down below.
Note that in many states, senior citizens and military veterans are eligible for heavily discounted passes; check with each state to see if you qualify.
Also, in some states, you don’t need entry passes at all because they offer free day-use access to everyone. The only money you spend in those states is for camping fees.
The 50-State Annual Pass Breakdown
In the list below, annual passes with a range of fees often charge residents and non-residents different prices. Others offer different pass tiers to cover entry and camping fees for individuals or families.
- Alabama: Annual Passes start at $100 but are sold for individual parks, NOT for statewide access.
- Alaska: Annual Passes are $60. Discounts include unlimited day-use entry.
- Arizona: Annual Passes are $200. Discounts include access to state parks and state history museums.
- Arkansas: No Annual Pass required; entry is free for everyone.
- California: Annual Pass is $195. Discounts include unlimited day-use entry.
- Colorado: Annual Passes are $29 to $80.
- Connecticut: Annual Pass for nonresidents is $114.50. State residents have free entry as the cost is included in their vehicle registrations.
- Delaware: Annual Pass is $35 to $70. Discounts include unlimited entry.
- Florida: Annual Pass is $60–$120.
- Georgia: Annual Pass is $70.
- Hawaii: No Annual Pass, but residents get free entry. Non-residents pay per park.
- Idaho: Annual Pass is $10 to $40.
- Illinois: No Annual Pass needed, everyone gets free day-use entry.
- Indiana: Annual Pass is $50 to $70. Discounts: Unlimited entry.
- Iowa: No Annual Pass; everyone gets free day-use entry.
- Kansas: Annual Pass is $25 to $252. Discounts include tiered entry options and coverage of camping fees.
- Kentucky: No Annual Pass; everyone gets free day-use entry.
- Louisiana: Annual Pass is $100. Discounts: Entry for pass holder and guests.
- Maine: Annual Pass is $55–$105.
- Maryland: Annual Pass is $75 to $100. Discounts: 10% off rentals/concessions.
- Massachusetts: Annual Pass is $60 for residents only. An annual pass is not available for nonresidents. Discounts: Unlimited day-use entry.
- Michigan: Annual Pass is $14 to $40. Discounts: Entry and boat launch access.
- Minnesota: Annual Pass is $35. Discounts: Unlimited day-use entry.
- Mississippi: Annual Pass is $50. Discounts: Unlimited entry.
- Missouri: No Annual Pass; everyone gets free day-use entry.
- Montana: Annual Pass is $9 to $35.
- Nebraska: Annual Pass is $36 to $71. Discounts: Unlimited day-use entry.
- Nevada: Annual Pass is $100 to $250. Discounts: High-tier covers all fees. Camping Discount: 100% with All Access Pass.
- New Hampshire: Annual Pass is $60 to $120. Discounts: Individual/Family tiers.
- New Jersey: Annual Pass is $50 to $75.
- New Mexico: Annual Pass is $75 to $600. Discounts: Dedicated camping passes available. Camping Discount: 100% with Camping Pass.
- New York: Annual Pass is $80. Discounts: Unlimited entry.
- North Carolina: No Annual Pass; most parks offer free day-use entry to everyone.
- North Dakota: Annual Pass is $35 to 65. Discounts: Unlimited entry.
- Ohio: No Annual Pass; everyone gets free day-use entry.
- Oklahoma: Annual Pass is $60 to $75. Discounts: Unlimited entry.
- Oregon: Annual Pass is $60 to $75. Discounts: Covers all day-use fees.
- Pennsylvania: No Annual Pass; everyone gets free day-use entry.
- Rhode Island: Annual Pass is $30 to $60. Discounts: Focus is on beach park access.
- South Carolina: Annual Pass is $99. Discounts: Unlimited entry.
- South Dakota: Annual Pass is $40 to $90. Discounts: Unlimited entry.
- Tennessee: No Annual Pass; everyone gets free day-use access.
- Texas: Annual Pass is $70. Discounts: 10% off at gift shops and rentals. Camping Discount: 50% off the second night of camping.
- Utah: Annual Pass $125 for residents only. Discounts: Unlimited entry for up to 8 people.
- Vermont: Annual Pass is $40 to $105. Discounts: Individual and vehicle tiers.
- Virginia: Annual Pass is $85. Discounts: 10% off gift shops/rentals.
- Washington: Annual Pass is $45. Discounts: Park entry.
- West Virginia: No Annual Pass; everyone receives free entry for day-use. Discounts: None.
- Wisconsin: Annual Pass is $28 to $38. Discounts: Unlimited entry.
- Wyoming: Annual Pass is $48 to $96. Wyoming also offers a camping annual pass for residents for $89. Discounts: Resident/Non-resident tiers. Camping Discount: Campsites are included with an annual camping pass.