LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT? CONSIDER AN ANNUAL
NEW JERSEY STATE PARKS PASS

(19/P095) TRENTON – Looking for a holiday gift for the outdoors enthusiast in your life? Consider a New Jersey state parks annual pass.

Annual park passes are $50 for New Jersey residents, and $75 for those who live outside of the state. A second household pass may be purchased at a reduced price of $25 for New Jersey residents and $35 for out-of-state visitors. To be eligible for the discount, both passes must be purchased at the same time. Prices are higher for owners of over-sized vehicles.

“New Jersey has a tremendous system of parks, forests and recreation areas,” said Division of Parks and Forestry Director Olivia Glenn. “An annual pass is a great way to share the gift of the great outdoors.”

At more than 450,000 acres, the state park system offers numerous opportunities for recreational activities such as camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, horseback riding, cycling, boating and kayaking, as well as providing a great way to connect with nature or learn about history.

An annual park pass provides entrance to those parks, forests and recreation areas that charge daily entrance fees. The passes are good only for entry, and not for other services, such as boat launches and camping.

Parks that charge entry fees do so between Memorial Day and Labor Day, with the exception of Island Beach State Park, which charges a reduced off-season fee in addition to in-season fees.

Parks that charge in-season fees charge those fees per vehicle. Annual pass purchasers get a decal to affix to the window of a vehicle for entry to these parks. A second pass can come in handy if a family expects to use two vehicles to visit the parks.

Residents who are age 62 or older and those who are totally disabled may obtain a pass entitling them to free admission and parking, as well as reduced campsite rates. To apply, visit www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/ or call the Division of Parks and Forestry at (800) 843-6420 or (609) 984-0370.

Earlier this year, the State Park Service partnered with YourPassNow.com to allow online purchases of the annual state park pass. Online orders are subject to a $3 per pass surcharge.

To learn more about New Jersey’s state parks, forests and historic sites, visit www.njparksandforests.org

For a list of parks that charge in-season entrance fees, visit www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/feeschedule.htm

Like the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/newjerseystateparks.

Follow the New Jersey State Park Service on Instagram @newjerseystateparks.

Follow the DEP on Twitter @NewJerseyDEP.

DEP PHOTO/Island Beach State Park

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