Press Release
November 14, 2017
Randy Simons | Dan Keefe
(518) 486-1868 | news@parks.ny.gov
New York State Parks Unveils Special Sale on the 2018 Annual Empire Pass Card
2018 Annual Empire Pass Card Now Available at a Special $65 Discount Price through March 31
Empire Pass Card Offers Family Sharing and Cost Savings
The Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) today announced it is offering a 4 ½ -month sale on the 2018 annual Empire Pass Card. Currently available online only the 2018 Empire Pass Card is a better and more cost effective way to enjoy the more than 250 individual state parks, historic sites, recreational trails, boat launches and more. The Empire Pass Card is a wallet-sized plastic card that can be shared among family members including parents, grandparents, caregivers and more. It is presented upon vehicle entry and includes QR code and embedded chip technology to allow for easier park access at select facilities.
Beginning today and running through March 31, 2018, the 2018 annual Empire Pass Card, featuring the beach scene, is on sale for $65 and includes all the extended benefits featuring family sharing. After the sale the annual Empire Pass Card will be available for its regular price of $80, a price that still saves multiple-vehicle families a minimum of $50 annually.
As a special note, those wishing to give the gift of the outdoors this year should order their new specially priced 2018 Empire Pass Card by Friday December 8 to ensure delivery in time for the holidays.
The former Empire Pass decal, which was not shareable and required attachment to one vehicle, will no longer be offered. All 2017 Empire Pass Decals will be accepted through their expiration on March 31, 2018.
The 2018 Empire Pass Card provides unlimited day-use vehicle entry to state parks, Department of Environmental Conservation forest preserves, boat launch sites, arboretums and park preserves.
Here is the full inventory of products now available to state park visitors:
2018 Annual Empire Pass Card
- Wallet-sized plastic card
- Family sharing capabilities
- Saves multiple vehicle families a minimum of $50 annually
- Cost: On sale through March 31, 2018 for $65
3-year Empire Pass Card
- Wallet-sized plastic card
- Now featuring family-sharing capabilities
- Chip technology inside the card allows for express entry at many parks
- Offers 3-year park access at a deeper discount
- Cost: $205
5-year Empire Pass Card
- Wallet-sized plastic card
- Now featuring family sharing capabilities
- Chip technology inside the card allows for express entry at select parks
- Offers 5-year park access at a deeper discount
- Cost: $320
Lifetime Empire Pass
- Icon placed on one's driver's license
- No expiration date
- Buy it once and enjoy state parks and more forever
- Cost: $750
All products can be purchased online at www.parks.ny.gov. The 2018 Empire Pass Card is available online only and will be available inside the parks in January.
Other admission programs include a variety of ways to enjoy state parks at a discount or for free.
New York State encourages New York's seniors age 62 and older to take advantage of the state parks Golden Park Program, which allows for their free entry into state parks weekdays (Monday through Friday) simply by showing their driver's license or state-issued non-driver ID.
Governor Cuomo recently launched the "Connect Kids to Parks" program to enhance opportunities for schoolchildren and help promote parks and historic places in every corner of the state. As part of the effort, New York has extended free State Park day-use entry to all fourth-grade students and their families through 2017 and created a new grant program to transport schoolchildren to educational programs in State parks and historic sites.
New York State offers the Lifetime Liberty Pass that permits New York State Veterans with 40% or greater service-connected disability discounted use of state parks, historic sites and recreational facilities. More information is available by clicking here.
In recognition of their commitment and sacrifices while in service, a member of the New York State Militia or any branch of the New York State National Guard or military reserves who is currently serving on active duty in support of the war on terrorism is eligible for the Patriot Plan benefit which provides a free Empire Pass for use by his or her immediate family during deployment and/or for his or her own use when returning home. For more information on the Patriot Plan benefit click here.
For more information on all of these initiatives please visit www.parks.ny.gov
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.parks.ny.gov connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter
- Additional Documents
- Empire Pass Card 2018 (png)
