Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

If your disability does not appear on the application, as it is described, then you do not qualify for an Access Pass at this time. Handwriting other or additional conditions will not be accepted.

Reapplication every four years prevents misuse of the Access Pass program. Circumstances such as residency, services being received, or eligibility status may change for some individuals listed on the Access Pass application. At this time, we must ask all individuals to reapply every four years, regardless of their disability.

A NY State Non-Driver ID can be obtained at any age. Please visit https://dmv.ny.gov/id-card/get-non-driver-id-card-ndid for details on how to apply. A temporary non-photo document for the individual can also be used to apply for an Access Pass, in lieu of the photo document.

Applications can be returned for various reasons. If your application is incomplete or you do not qualify, an informative letter will be included with the returned application.

Although your mental health provider/psychiatrist/therapist may be licensed to practice in NY State, the services you are receiving may not be licensed/operated/certified/funded by the NY State Office of Mental Health. The Office of Mental Health (OMH) sets standards for the quality of facilities and programs providing treatment, rehabilitation, and services in support of mental health resilience and recovery.

Qualifications vary from one disability to the next. Not all disabilities have the same qualifications. Some disability categories require that you are receiving or are eligible to receive services through a program specifically licensed/operated/certified/funded by the appropriate NY State agency.

Access Pass qualifications are known to change based on the the Rules and Regulations of the NY State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.

NY State residency can be proven by providing a copy of your currently valid NY State Driver License or Non-Driver Identification Card (do not send original).

As outlined in the application, a NY State Driver License or NY State Non-Driver ID are the only IDs we will accept.

There is no renewal process at this time. When your Access Pass expires every 4 years, you must apply again and submit all necessary supporting documentation as you did originally. This includes proof of residency, as well as proof of your disability, and where applicable, that you are currently eligible or currently receiving services (if applying under Section A) and/or a physician's stamp or letter on office letterhead (if applying under Section B).

If you email your application to AccessPass@parks.ny.gov, you will receive a standard reply within a few minutes of sending it. If you mail your application, you will hear a reply within 2-4 weeks.

Please email AccessPass@parks.ny.gov with your name, date of birth, address, and reason for contact so that we can look into the status your application.

If you are not a Veteran or Gold Star Parent, Spouse, or Child, then you are an Access Pass holder and your pass expired 4 years from the date that the Access Pass was issued. Please email AccessPass@parks.ny.gov with your name, date of birth, address, and question to find out if you need to submit another application.

In order to make sure only qualified individuals are issued an Access Pass, we must request the documentation listed on the application. Application packages are retained for a period of five years at the NY State Archives and then destroyed.

No, Access Pass applications can only be submitted by email or mail to the Pass Programs Unit.

The Access Pass is valid for approximately 4 years and will typically expire on the month and day of your date of birth.

Your NY State Driver License or NY State Non-Driver ID are only acceptable as proof of residency. No other information found on your NY State Driver license will used to determine eligibility.

The Individual Access Pass and Group Access Pass may be used for free entry and discounted camping at all developed DEC-operated Campgrounds and Day Use Areas.

Please email AccessPass@parks.ny.gov with your name, date of birth, address, and reason for contact so that we can attempt to locate your profile and issue you a replacement card.

Please email AccessPass@parks.ny.gov with your name, date of birth, address, and reason for contact so that we can look into the status of your Access Pass.

At facilities operated by the NY State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, an Access Pass includes free entrance to state-operated parks, historic sites, and arboretums; greens fees; swimming; tennis; and cross-country skiing.

At facilities operated by the NY State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, an Access Pass includes discounted campsite and cabin rental; and transient marina dockage, except when the slip is rented at the same time as the campsite or cabin at that facility.

A complete list of exclusions can be found in the Access Pass Guidelines for Use.

Yes! NY State Parks employees may request to verify that you are the pass holder. Your NY State DMV issued ID card is the only way for NY State Parks staff to verify this information.