The Admin's Blog

State Parks are great places to camp. There’s usually one close by no matter where you live. They often have more facilities than National Park and National Forest campgrounds. While they are generally more expensive than the later, often times you can purchase a yearly pass that provides free entry and discounted camping.

California State Park Pass

California offers sixteen different state park passes but only the DISTINGUISHED VETERAN PASS (free camping) and the DISABLED DISCOUNT PASS (50% off) include camping.

Colorado State Park Pass

Colorado has numerous annual passes. The Aspen pass (for Residents 64 years or older) has discounted camping (Sunday through Thursday, excluding holidays) and the other passes are for admission only.

Kansas State Park Pass

Cost: Vehicle Pass: $25
Camping Pass Off-season -> $152.50 / Peak Season -> $202.50
Kansas’s annual camping pass. All Kansas annual passes expire on December 31st. If you want to stay in one location for more than 14 days, monthly and seasonaly passes are also available by special permit. Residents will save $9.50 on the vehicle pass if they buy the permit as part of their Kansas vehicle registration process.

Website: http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/news/State-Parks/Park-Fees

Kentucky State Park Pass

Kentucky doesn’t offer and passes. Instead, they have discounts that change throughout the year. They also have standing discounts for qualify individuals. They provide 10% lodging or camping discount are available for the following guests: Current & retired military personnel (with proof of service), Senior Citizens (age 62 & older) with ID, Disabled Adults (with Department of Aging and Independent Living card), AAA Members, KET Members.

Kentucky POWs camp for free for up to three night a year (with POW card issued by KY Dept. of Parks)

Website: http://parks.ky.gov/deals/default.aspx

New Mexico State Park Pass

Cost: $180 for residents
$225 for non-residents
Primitive camping is free with the New Mexico State Park Annual Camping Pass which is good for one year from the date of purchase.

Website: http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/FeesPermits.html

Texas State Parks Pass

Cost: $70
Fees waived for pass holder and thier group (carload or up to additional 5 people if traveling by other methods) at Texas State Parks where entrance fees are normally collected. 50% discount on four nights of camping but it only counts on the second of two consecutive nights. Cannot be used for discounted camping on blackout dates. No other park activity fees are waived. 10% discount on eligible retail and rental items in the Texas State Park Stores.

There are additional passes and discounts for Residents 65 and older, anyone born before 1930, disabled veterans, and those receiving benefits under the Social Security Act.

Website: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/parkinfo/passes/

Utah State Park Pass

Cost: $75
This annual pass allows you and up to seven guests in the same private vehicle, day-use entrance to all Utah State Parks.

Pass holders will also receive $2 off our camping fees, 7 days a week (excluding holidays and holiday weekends). This discount will be honored through our reservation call center and at state park campgrounds on a first come first served basis (not available through our online reservation system). Discount applies to one campsite per night per pass.
$15-$28
Overnight dry camping fees without the pass
$10 @ Piute State Park
$13 @ Gunlock State Park
$13 @ Fremont Indian State Park
$10 @ Yuba State Park
$13 @ Scofield State Park
$10 @ Starvation State Park
$13 @ Red Fleet State Park
$13 @ Steinaker State Park
$13 @ Wasatch Mountain State Park
$10 @ Rockport State Park
$12 @ East Canyon State Park
$13 @ Antelope Island State Park

Website: https://secure.utah.gov/parkspass/permit.html

Wyoming State Park Pass

Cost: Free
Availible to Wyoming Residents Only – The annual overnight camping permit allows overnight camping at Wyoming State Parks for the entire calendar year. Permits are issued to a specific vehicle identified by License plate number at time of purchase and the sticker must be affixed to that vehicle. This permit does not include day use fees. Day use and camping fees both must be paid if staying past 10:00 p.m.

States Without Camping Discount Passes

Alabama State Park Annual Passes are only good for park admission at the park you purchased it from.

Alaska State Park Annual Passes are for Boat Launch and/or Day Use Parking only.

Arizona State Park Annual Pass does not allow the use of camping facilities including showers, dump station, or for stowage of water of more than 5 gallons from the park.

Delaware State Park Annual Passes is only good for park admission.

Florida State Park Annual Passes do not apply to camping.

Georgia State Park Annual Passes only exempts holders from paying the daily parking fee.

Hawaii State Park Annual Passes do not exist, There are no entry fees. Camping fees run about $18 per night. Only one campground has facilities for car camping/RVs.

Idaho State Park Annual Passes waive $5 per day, per vehicle state park motor vehicle entrance fee that is charged in addition to the campsite fee. So, while it’s not a exactly a camping discount, it does save RV and car campers cash.

Illinois State Parks do not offer annual passes. They do not charge admission.

Indiana State Park Annual Passes covers the one-time entrance fee all guests, including campers, will must pay upon arrival.

Iowa State Park Annual Passes Camping coupons can only be used for first come/first serve campsites.

A book of seven camping coupons can be obtained for $91 from any state park office or from the DNR Central Office, Wallace State Office Building, 502 East 9th St., Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034. If you go to the Wallace Building, please go to the receptionist located on the 4th floor. The coupons are used in lieu of payment by cash or check. Coupon books are valid for one year from the date of purchase. The price of the coupon books includes tax.

Coupons save the user approximately $3 per night in a modern campground during the peak season on an electrical site. Be sure to check the amount of the total camping fee for your chosen site to determine if there will be a savings by using the coupon. Use of the coupon for camping on a site with a camping fee less than the value of the coupon will not result in a refund or credit.

The camping coupon does not cover additional fees such as water and sewer hook-up, cable, equestrian or reservation fees.