Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Annual, multi-season or lifetime Empire Passes are available for purchase throughout the 2023 season. Instead of paying the vehicle use fee on each visit, simply present or scan your Empire Pass and it waives the fee for day use entry.

Learn where the Empire Pass is Accepted

• NYS Parks: https://parks.ny.gov/documents/admission/EmpirePassCardGuidelines.pdf

• 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 HERE

KEEP YOUR RENEWABLE EMPIRE PASS! Empire Passes are renewable!
Click here and follow the instructions to Renew My Pass!

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

Click here and follow the instructions to Renew My Pass!

Current Empire Pass Pricing

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.

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 the NYS Parks Explorer App at 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.

2023 Season Empire Pass Card and Multi Season Cards

2023 Season Empire Pass Card: 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.

Multi-Season Empire Pass Card

Multi-Season 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 or by mail. A 3-Season Empire Pass Card will be accepted through 12/31/2025; a 5-Season Empire Pass Card will be 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.

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.
• 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
  

• Print-Friendly Empire Pass Application (pdf)

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 two devices, 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.

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.

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.