A NYS Parks Empire Passport gives you unlimited annual admission to New York State Parks and other recreational facilities. An Empire Passport costs $59 and allows entry for one vehicle (the number of passengers is unlimited!). You may purchase a second passport for another vehicle in the same household for $50. A passport is valid from April 1st through March 31st of the following year. Here's how to get your NYS Parks Empire Passport.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 15 Minutes
Here's How:
- Go to the Empire Passport Page of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Web Site.
- To order your Empire Passport online, click on the Online Application link. You will have to pay by credit card. It may take three to four weeks to process your application, so apply well in advance of when you want to start using it.
- You can also print out an application and mail it to Empire Passport, New York State Parks, Albany, NY 12238. You may pay by check, money order or credit card. It may take three to four weeks to receive your Empire Passport.
- The NYS Office of Parks also accepts telephone orders. Call (518) 474-0458 or the NYS Office of Parks Long Island office at (631) 669-1000. You must pay by credit card. Like online and mailed applications, processing could take three to four weeks.
- If you want to get your NYS Parks Empire Passport immediately, bring your completed application to a NYS Park. Applications are also available there.
- Once you get your NYS Empire Passport affix it to your car's driver side window, the left side of your motorcycle or the inside hull of your boat, as required.
Tips:
- Read the Empire Passport Rules and Conditions of Use on the NYS Office of Parks Web Site.
- If you need your NYS Parks Empire Passport immediately, purchase it in person at a NYS State Park.
- Do you plan to use more than one vehicle to enter NYS Parks? You can get a discount on a second Empire Passport if you purchase it at the same time as the first one.
- The Empire Passport does not cover camping and golf fees, museum and historic site admission or other special activity fees.
- Lost or damaged Empire Passport decals will not be replaced. You must purchase a new one. However, if you sell your car or it is stolen or destroyed or damaged in an accident, you may receive a replacement decal. Submit the following to the NYS Office of Parks: a letter explaining the circumstances; proof of the loss or sale of, or damage to, the vehicle, e.g., police report, insurance report, DMV report, bill of sale, etc.; and fragments of the decal.