Fees & Passes

Free Entry

Big Thicket National Preserve is a fee-free park! We do not charge entrance fees or parking fees. No reservations are needed to visit.

Free permits are required for backcountry camping and hunting, and are available at the Big Thicket Visitor Center.

America the Beautiful Passes

Each America the Beautiful Pass covers entrance fees at national parks and other federal public lands, such as national forests, national wildlife refuges, and more. We issue the following passes at the Big Thicket Visitor Center:

 

Pass Photo: Yellowstone National Park by Steven Koehler

Access Pass

• Cost: Free
• Available For: US citizens and permanent residents with permanent disabilities
• Pass Is Valid: For life
• May provide a 50% discount on some recreation fees, such as camping

 

Pass Photo: Sequoia National Park and Inyo National Forest by Karla Rivera

Military Annual Pass

• Cost: Free
• Available For: Current US military members and their dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, as well as Reserve and National Guard members
• Pass Is Valid: For 1 year from date of issuance
• Military members must present a valid Department of Defense ID (CAC Card). Dependents must present a valid DD Form 1173.

 

Pass Photo: Denali National Park by Jacob W. Frank

Military Lifetime Pass

• Cost: Free
• Available For: US military veterans and Gold Star Families
• Pass Is Valid: For life
• Veterans must present one of the following forms of ID:
  • Unexpired Dept. of Defense ID Card (DD Form 2, DD Form 2765, or Next Generation USID replacement)
  • Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
  • Veteran ID card
  • Veteran designation on a state-issued US driver’s license or ID card.
• Gold Star Families must download and print a voucher to exchange for the pass. Get more information and download a voucher »

 

Pass Photo: Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge by Anthony Graziano

4th Grade Pass

• Cost: Free
• Available For: US 4th grade students
• Pass Is Valid: September 1 through August 31 of the student's 4th grade year
• Students must print a voucher to exchange for the pass. Visit the Every Kid Outdoors website to download the voucher and learn more about the 4th grade pass program. Digital versions of the paper voucher, such as on smart phones or tablets, are not accepted to exchange for a 4th grade pass.

 

Other Passes

The Senior Pass and Annual Pass are NOT available at Big Thicket National Preserve.

• Other locations that issue passes
• Order your pass online at the USGS Store (additional fees are charged for processing and shipping).
• Interested in earning a volunteer pass? Learn more about volunteer opportunities at Big Thicket.

 

More Information About Passes

Visit the America the Beautiful Passes page for more information about the different kinds of passes for national parks and other federal public lands.