Interagency Passes

The following passes may be obtained at the Bayfield Visitor Center, other Federal recreation sites, or online. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore does not have an entrance fee. The following passes are the only ones valid for the park:

  • The America the Beautiful Interagency Senior Lifetime Pass, Interagency Senior Annual, or Interagency Access Pass (previously called the Golden Age and Golden Access Passports) provide a 50% discount on federal recreational user fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, docking, parking, and tours.
 
2023 Annual Pass

America the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass- Cost $80
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

This pass is available to the general public and provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites with an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of sale. The pass admits the holder/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. (Children under 16 are admitted free.) The pass can be obtained at the park, other Federal recreation sites, or online. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

This pass replaces the Golden Eagle Passport, the National Parks Pass and the Golden Eagle Hologram.


 
2023 SeniorLife Pass

America the Beautiful Interagency Senior Lifetime Pass – Cost $80

National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. The pass provides access to and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (Children under 16 are admitted free.) The pass can be obtained at the park, other Federal recreation sites, or online.

The Senior Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for programs and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. In some areas where the Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

This pass replaces the Golden Age Passports and may be exchanged free of charge.


 
2023 Senior Annual Pass

America the Beautiful Interagency Senior Annual Pass – Cost $20

National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

This is an annual pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. The pass provides access to and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (Children under 16 are admitted free.) The pass can be obtained at the park, other Federal recreation sites, or online.

The Senior Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for programs and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. In some areas where the Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

This pass may be upgraded to a Senior Lifetime pass at anytime, by paying the difference to equal $80 or exchanging mulitple Senior Annual Passes. Senior Annual Passes may be exchanged, each with a value of $20.

 
Photo of a credit card sized card labeled as Access.

America the Beautiful Interagency Access Pass – Free

National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Documentation is required to obtain the pass. Acceptable documentation includes: statement by a licensed physician, documentation issued by Federal agency such as the Veteran’s Administration, Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income; or document issued by a State agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers of a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder +3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. (Children under 16 are admitted free.) The pass can be obtained at the park, other Federal recreation sites, or online.

The Access Pass provides a 50 percent discount for some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for programs and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. In some areas where the Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires

This pass replaces the Golden Access Passport and may be exchanged free of charge.

 
2023 Volunteer Pass

American the Beautiful Interagency Volunteer Pass – Free

National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

This pass is for volunteers acquiring 250 service hours on a cumulative basis. (Hours reset after acquiring a pass.) It provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of award. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. (Children under 16 are admitted free). Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has a variety of volunteer opportunities each summer.


 
2023 Military Annual Pass

Military Pass - Free

This pass is available to current US Military, Veterans, and Gold Star families. (Documentation is required.) It provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites with an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of issuance. The pass admits the holder/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. (Children under 16 are admitted free.) The pass must be obtained in person at the park or other Federal recreation sites.

Current U.S. Military personnel and their dependents who present, in person, a U.S. Department of Defense CAC identification or DD Form 1173 dependent identification and are in the following military personnel classification:

  • Current members of the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and National Guard.
  • Dependents of current U.S. military members with DD Form 1173.
  • U.S. Military Cadets.
  • U.S. Active Reservists (Do not need to be deployed).

Gold Star Families are next of kin of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a “qualifying situation,” such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the United States Armed Forces, as explained in Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36.

  • Gold Star Family members must download and print a special voucher to either present to the ranger, exchange for a Military Pass, or place on the vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites.

Veterans are individuals who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and are able to present one of the following valid forms of identification when entering or using federal lands:

  • Department of Defense Identification Card (CAC Card, DD Form 2, DD Form 2765)
  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
  • Veteran ID Card
  • Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S.driver’s license or identification card
    • The actual IDs listed above must be presented. Photocopies or digital images are not accepted. Form DD-214 is not accepted.

The following individuals/groups DO NOT qualify for the Interagency Military Annual Pass:

  • Foreign military members (Including those stationed in the U S and have a CAC card)
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) employees
  • Public Health Service (PHS) members
  • Inactive U S Reservists
  • Civilian military contractors
  • Civilian military employees
 
A credit card labeled as 4th Grade.

Every Kid Outdoors Annual 4th Grade Pass - Free

This pass is available to U.S. 4th Graders (including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age). It provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites with an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for the 4th grade school year and following summer (September - August). The pass admits the holder/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. (Children under 16 are admitted free.) The pass may be obtained in person at the park or other Federal recreation sites.

  • Must have a paper voucher printed from the Every Kid Outdoors website to exchange for the Annual 4th Grade Pass. Digital versions of the voucher (such as smart phones or tablets) will not be accepted.

Last updated: November 25, 2022

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Mailing Address:

PO Box 770
Bayfield, WI 54814

Phone:

715 779-3397

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