Empire Pass
Find helpful information about the variety of destinations, activities and adventures available throughout the Empire State's state parks and historic sites by downloading the NY State Parks Explorer App where you can also keep and use a digital copy of your Empire Pass! Find where the pass can be purchased during the off-season.
The Empire Pass is your key to all-season enjoyment at New York State Parks. It provides unlimited day-use vehicle entry to most facilities operated by New York State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Empire Passes are available for the 2023 season, multi-year or your lifetime. Instead of paying the vehicle use fee on each visit, simply present your season pass and it waives the fee for day use entry.
Learn where the Empire Pass is Accepted
- Adirondack/Catskill Facilities (DEC) : https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/9174.html
All Empire Pass products are non-returnable and non-refundable after purchase
2023 Empire Pass Renewals
If you have an existing Empire Pass card check my expiration date
KEEP YOUR EMPIRE PASS! Empire Passes are renewable! https://shop.parks.ny.gov/renew/
Go Green! You have the option to renew your pass online and receive a discount! Your existing pass will be re-activated so you will not need to wait for a new card in the mail. You can keep and use a digital copy of your pass in the wallet section of the New York State Parks Explorer App
NEW! Once you purchase an Empire Pass Renewal, you will be provided with a QR code to scan a digital copy into the
NYS Wallet App for use at the parks.
For assistance with the NYS Wallet, please call 844-NYS-WALT (844-697-9258).
Click here and follow the instructions to Renew My Pass!
Empire Passes expiring on or after December 31, 2018 are available for renewal. Passes cannot be renewed at park facilities. Pass activation may take 24-48 hours, so please be sure and plan in advance of your visit to the park.
Online ONLY - Take advantage of the renewal discount starting in mid-November
The renewal discount will be available all year long!
| $15.00 discount | 11/17/2022 - 12/31/2022 |
| $10.00 discount | 01/01/2023 - 03/31/2023 |
| $5.00 discount | 04/01/2023 - End of Season |
The renewal discount will apply to the 2023 season or multi-year passes priced below:
| 2023 Season Empire Pass | $80.00 | (Expires 12/31/2023) |
| 3-Year Empire Pass | $205.00 | (Expires 12/31/2025) |
| 5-Year Empire Pass | $320.00 | (Expires 12/31/2027) |
Click here and follow the instructions to Renew My Pass!
Please refer to the Empire Pass Guidelines for Use and the Empire Pass Frequently Asked Questions for pass replacement, volume sales and other important information.
All Empire Pass products are non-returnable and non-refundable after purchase
2023 Digital Empire Pass
NEW! Available Online Only - We are now offering the option to purchase a Digital Empire Pass available for immediate use with an additional discount!
Simply choose the digital option when you order, and you will receive your digital pass immediately. A QR code will be provided which can be scanned into the
NY State Parks Explorer App, and the NYS Wallet App. The digital pass is available for the 2023 Season Pass, Multi-Year Pass and Lifetime Pass.
For assistance with the NYS Wallet, please call 844-NYS-WALT (844-697-9258).
All Empire Pass products are non-returnable and non-refundable after purchase
2023 Season Empire Pass Card
2023 Season Empire Pass Card: Available for $80, the 2023 Season Empire Pass is a scannable pass card that can be shared within a household and not assigned to a specific vehicle.
The 2023 Season Empire Pass is accepted through December 31, 2023 and can be purchased in person at some State Parks or online. Multi-season passes can only be purchased online, by mail or phone. Please contact the park directly for further information and availability.
If you order a physical card online, please allow 7-10 business days to receive your Empire Pass card by U.S. standard mail. Once you have the physical card in hand, you can save the Empire Pass to the wallet feature of the
NY State Parks Explorer App for entry into many park properties. We do not have a temporary pass available, and you
cannot use your confirmation email for entry into the park. You must wait to receive the physical pass to use it. For instructions to download the app, please view the brief
how-to video
[Please note: An Empire Pass can be added to the wallet of one device, maximum.]
To purchase:
- Online: Order Online
- In-Person (2023 Season Pass only) The 2023 Season Empire Pass may be purchased in person at most NYS Parks. You may call the park directly to confirm. Please note that renewals cannot be done in person, they must be purchased online. Multi-season and Lifetime passes are only available online.
- By Phone: Telephone orders using a credit card will be processed by calling 518-474-0458 during normal business hours.
- Mail: Complete an application with check or money order payable to "NYS Parks" and mail to:
Empire Pass
New York State Parks
Albany, NY 12238
Multi-Year Empire Pass Card
Multi-Year passes cannot be purchased in person at park locations. Frequent Empire Pass purchasers may be interested in a multi-season Empire Pass which can be bought online, by mail or telephone. A 3-Season Empire Pass Card may be purchased for $205 and accepted through 12/31/2025; a 5-Season Empire Pass Card may be purchased for $320 and accepted through 12/31/2027
If you order a physical card online, please allow 7-10 business days to receive your Empire Pass card by U.S. standard mail. Once you have the physical card in hand, you can save the Empire Pass to the wallet feature of the
NY State Parks Explorer App for entry into many park properties. We do not have a temporary pass available, and you
cannot use your confirmation email for entry into the park. You must wait to receive the physical pass to use it. For instructions to download the app, please view the brief
how-to video
[Please note: An Empire Pass can be added to the wallet of one device, maximum.]
- Online: Order Online
- By Phone: Telephone orders using a credit card will be processed by calling 518-474-0458 during normal business hours.
- Mail: Complete an application with check or money order payable to "NYS Parks" and mail to:
Empire Pass
New York State Parks
Albany, NY 12238
Lifetime Empire Pass Card
For $750 you will receive an Empire Pass card with no expiration date. Buy it once and enjoy the parks for your lifetime!
Please Note: Although the NYS Dept. of Motor Vehicles will issue a reprint of your driver's license, learner's permit or non-driver ID card with the maple leaf icon showing your lifetime membership to NY State Parks, your state-issued ID cannot be used at the park entrance. Only the Empire Pass card is acceptable to waive the vehicle entrance fee. The online order confirmation is not acceptable for admission. The Lifetime Empire Pass is not refundable and not transferrable. If it is lost, there is a fee to replace it.
You must wait to receive the pass to use it. Once you have the physical card in hand, you can download the NY State Parks Explorer App and
save the Empire Pass to the wallet feature of the app for entry into many park properties. For instructions to download the app, please view the brief
how-to video
[Please note: An Empire Pass can be added to the wallet of one device, maximum.]
Please Note:
*** Please be sure you want to order the Lifetime Empire Pass. Due to the nature of this sale and the issuance of a new license, all sales are final.***
- Apply Online today.
Show Off Your Pride: I Love NY Parks License Plates
Parks has teamed up with the NYS Dept. of Motor Vehicles to offer three beautiful "I love NY Parks" license plates that allow you to show off your pride and passion for state parks and the great outdoors.
One set (front and back) of these license plates are available for purchase to Empire Pass holders. To learn more visit NYS Dept. of Motor Vehicles.
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Become an Organ Donor and you can save the lives of 8 people and enhance countless others through tissue donation. Learn more at DonateLife.NY
Need to Replace your Empire Pass?
Empire Pass Replacement:
If the Empire Pass is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, it is replaceable with a $17.00 fee payable by credit card, check, money order, or cash (in person only at most NYS Parks).
A replacement may be ordered over the phone, by mail or issued in person at most park facilities. All require the following:
- A completed Empire Pass Replacement Request form
- The damaged or destroyed pass or, if the pass was lost, verification of the original pass purchase.
NOTE: If in the event the original pass is found after the purchase of a replacement, we will not refund the replacement fee. The original pass will have been deactivated and is no longer usable.
All Empire Pass card products are non-returnable and non-refundable after purchase.
For more information, contact 518-474-0458 during normal business hours or email Empirepassport@parks.ny.gov