Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

It provides unlimited access to most NY State parks and recreational areas, allowing you to explore nature without worrying about vehicle entrance fees. The pass is shareable amongst friends and family, making it a cost-effective way to visit outdoor spaces.

The Physical Empire Pass is available for $80 and comes in a convenient credit card size, which will be mailed to you. This pass allows you to create a digital version through the NY State Parks Explorer app, and it can be shared.

The Digital Empire Pass is priced at $72 for one-year, making it $8 less expensive than the physical version. This pass is stored exclusively in the NY State Parks Explorer app and can be shared.

Parks staff cannot change the email or password linked to your shop.parks.ny.gov account. To reset your password, please use the "Forgot My Password" option on the log-in page.

If you need to update the log-in email, create a new account, or check out as a guest. An account is not needed for most Empire Pass purchases, but is required to cancel your same-day order.

If you're not sure when your pass expires, check your Empire Pass expiration date. Additionally, you can check the expiration date on your card by scanning the pass using the NY State Explorer App.

If you're looking to buy an Empire Pass as a gift, simply enter the recipient's address during checkout for shipping, or choose to have it sent to yourself so you can present it in person.

Please email your request to empirepassport@parks.ny.gov.

Previously renewing online or over the phone does not mean you have a shop.parks.ny.gov account. If you are unsure if you have an account, try the forgot my password link and enter the e-mail address associated with the order. If you do not receive an email, please create an account.

The Empire Pass does not have a name printed on it, allowing the recipient to use it right away. If they wish to use the card again in the following season, they can easily renew it online.During the renewal process, they will have the option to update the pass with their name and email address, ensuring that we can keep accurate records in case the pass needs to be replaced.

Yes, volume sales are available for the 1-season physical Empire Pass Card. A discount of $4 per card will be automatically applied to the purchase of 25 or more. Orders of 50 or more will be discounted by $8 per card. Orders of 100 or more will be discounted by $10 per card. Orders of 250 or more will be discounted by $15 per card. Orders of 500 or more will be discounted by $20 per card. Renewal or digital discounts cannot be combined with bulk rate discounts.

Please visit this youtube video, illustrating how to use an automated paystation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzhyYF02L8A

If your Empire Pass is not working properly, make sure your Empire Pass isn't expired https://shop.parks.ny.gov/store/empirepassexpirationdate.aspx, and that nobody else has used your Empire Pass in the last hour. If you are using a Digital only Empire Pass, check out the NY State Parks Explorer App section for some helpful tips and tricks.

To get a free replacement for worn or damaged physical passes, you will need to present your Empire Pass to staff at your nearest NYS Park and request one. Once the staff at the park verify that your card is not working, they will issue you a replacement Empire Pass and disable your current Empire Pass.

The Empire Pass cannot be used for special events, camping, or overnight parking. Please see the Empire Pass Guidelines For Use.

The Empire Pass permits entry for one vehicle at a time, which includes motorcycles. It cannot be used for multiple vehicles to enter the park at the same time.

The Empire Pass will need to be presented when a vehicle use fee is required, just as with other passenger vehicles. Each boat or motorcycle must present their own pass upon entry.

No, 4x4 dashboard and fishing permits are exclusive to the Long Island Region. Information is available from the Long Island Permits Office or at 631-669-1000 ext. 223 during normal business hours.

A vehicle with commercial plates can enter NYS Park facilities using an Empire Pass for non-commercial uses.

The Lifetime Empire Pass can be shared and used like any other Empire Pass.

The maple leaf featured on the license is purely for decorative purposes and does not grant access to the parks. Each purchase of the Lifetime Pass includes a physical or digital Empire Pass.

If you haven’t accessed your Digital Empire Pass yet, get started by using our Digital Pass Lookup tool. You will need some basic contact information and your Empire Pass number, which can be found in the confirmation email sent to you upon original purchase. Once complete, click the “View my Digital Empire Pass” link then select your phones operating system. This will autopopulate the digital pass into the Wallet in the NYS Parks Explorer App.

For more information, please visit https://parks.ny.gov/explorer-app/

Follow the instructions below if you want to add a physical pass to the NY State Parks Explorer App:

1. Make sure you have the NY State Parks Explorer app downloaded
2. Open the NY State Parks Explorer app
3. Go to Wallet
4. Add Existing Pass
5. Scan QR Code (on back of card)

For more information, please visit https://parks.ny.gov/explorer-app/

We recommend increasing your phone's brightness, shielding the sun from the barcode reader, and adjusting the position of your phone by moving it up and down or left and right under the scanner.

https://youtu.be/uzhyYF02L8A?si=h6ztIEVUoi88_9hQ

If the problem continues, please reach out directly to your park for further assistance.

The vehicle use fee is non-refundable. We recommend adding your physical pass to the NY State Explorer app to utilize the digital feature.

Empire Passes are non-refundable and non-returnable the day after an order is placed.

We can't refund your order the day after it was purchased, but we can reactivate your previous empire pass, and send the new purchased card as a spare in the event one is ever lost. Please email empirepassport@parks.ny.gov if you'd prefer that option.

Please note: When acquiring a new Empire Pass, a new pass number will be issued.