San Bernardino National Forest  

Questions & Answers

Dealing with Myths & Rumors

• Who will need to purchase a National Forest Adventure Pass? Let's keep it simple!
• How will I know where the fee is required when I'm in the Forest?
• What is a High Impact Recreation Area (HIRA)?
• Are there exceptions to the need for an Adventure Pass?
• What is an Administrative Pass?
• What about places like ski resorts and campgrounds, where I already pay?
• What about Golden Age, Golden Access, and Golden Eagle Passports?
• What if I have more than one vehicle?
• What about Refunds, Exchanges or Extensions?
• Will I receive a Ticket (citation) for not displaying an Adventure Pass?
• I Received a Notice of Required Fee - Now What?
• Isn't the Recreation Fee Demonstration program just an effort to prepare the public for privatization and commercialization of the forests?

Who will need to purchase a National Forest Adventure Pass?

This is a pass to use designated sites and areas of the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino National Forests. Visitors to these four forests will be required to display the Pass in their vehicles when using the Forest for recreation purpose. The Adventure Pass is not a national pass like the America the Beautiful Interagency Passes. It is a local regional pass, required only on the four forests listed above. America the Beautiful Interagency Passes are also accepted at all locations where the Adventure Pass is required. Go to the page links below to view a listing of the Sites & Areas that require a recreation fee. These pages include additional links to maps and vendors sales outlets.

• Designated Recreation Sites

• High Impact Recreation Sites

How will I know where the fee is required when I'm in the Forest?

Look for the signs shown below to be posted near the entry to designated fee Sites & Areas.

Recreation fee information will be posted at various locations.
Look for these signs when traveling through the forests

Many vendors and Forest Service offices display signs and posters
like the one to the left at locations where passes are sold.

What is a High Impact Recreation Area (HIRA)?

High Impact Recreation Areas are authorized under Section 3(f) of the legislation. This section defines "Standard Amenity Recreation Fees" and states that such fees can be collected in an area that provides significant opportunities for outdoor recreation and has substantial Federal investments. The agency must be able to collect fees efficiently in the area, and the area as a whole must contain the following amenities:

• Designated developed parking
• Permanent toilet facility
• Permanent trash receptacle
• An interpretive sign, exhibit, or kiosk
• Picnic tables
• Security services

The legislation gave the agencies broad authority in establishing "areas", so the Forest Service developed implementation guidelines to ensure national consistency. Under the guidelines, "areas" may only be established where there is heavy recreation use. The use, and associated impacts, may be uneven through out the greater "area", and need not be tied to specific sites within the area. In order to avoid multiple fees, the fee charged is for the recreation use of the entire area rather than for individual amenities or activities. The evidence of having paid the fee is the proper display of the Adventure Pass or a America the Beautiful Interagency Passes upon the parked vehicle.

The prohibition on collection of fees in dispersed recreation areas contained in Section 3(d) has led some to believe that fees are only authorized in specific developed sites. This is incorrect. The prohibition applies only to dispersed areas with low or no investment. Collection of fees in areas where heavy investment is needed to address impacts is specifically authorized as a Standard Amenity Fee in Section 3(f).

In identifying the HIRAs, managers of the southern California National Forests carefully evaluated each area within the forest to determine the locations where significant public use is occurring and where significant investment is needed to manage recreation impacts. Each location was then further evaluated to ensure that the area had the six amenities required by the legislation, and that the area could be understandably described with clearly identified boundaries and access points.

Are there exceptions to the need for an Adventure Pass?

You will not need a pass when traveling through the Forest and not stopping, when stopped for activities incidental to through travel (stretch break, photo-opportunity, use a restroom), when you are parked at your residence or at an organization camp, or within areas covered by special use permits. A Pass is not required for people stopping for information at Ranger stations, visitor centers and other Forest Service offices, or for off-road vehicles (displaying California State OHVMR Green or Red stickers) while they are parked within a designated OHV route or area. Volunteers and educational institutions, such as schools that bring children to the Forest for an outing, are also exempt. During 2006 there are two (2) free days authorized - National Trails Day, June 3rd, and National Public Lands Day, September 30th.

What is an Administrative Pass?

National Forests are managed for multiple use. We realize that people may visit their public lands for purposes other than recreation. For that reason, we have implemented an "administrative pass" program for educational groups, volunteers and others conducting business who may be in the forest. Administrative passes are issued free for convenience purposes. They must be requested through the Forest Service office where you plan to visit. Administrative Passes are also issued to Native Americans for the conduct of traditional cultural and religious activities, and to persons conducting mining and prospecting activities. Due to the special requirements applicants must meet, Administrative passes for exempt activities are only issued at local Forest and Ranger District offices.

What about places like ski resorts and campgrounds, where I already pay?

You won't need an Adventure Pass while parked at places where a site-specific fee is already charged. The Adventure Pass covers day-use of certain campground, and these will be posted on-site. If you're uncertain whether or not you need a Pass, please call your local Forest Service office or view the listing at Designated Recreation Sites.

What about Golden Age, Golden Access and Golden Eagle Passports?

Beginning January 1, 2007, the Golden Passport program was replaced by the new America the Beautiful Interagency Pass Program. The new Interagency Passes cover most of the same benefits of the Golden Pass program, with a few changes. The Golden Passports will continue to be valid until they expire. There are special instructions for persons who have a damaged Golden Pass. For more information about replacing a damaged Golden Pass, Go to: http://www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/goldens.shtml

The Interagency Passes are national passes, and cover the same standard amenity fees on any national forest or park nation-wide. So, if you plan to travel and visit many national forests outside the southern California travel zone, you will find the Interagency Passes a better buy. America the Beautiful and Adventure Passes may be obtained by phone or mail by clicking on this link: "Get Passes Now".

For more information about the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass Program, Go to: http://www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/rec-fee.

What if I have more than one vehicle?

When you purchase an annual Adventure Pass, you may also purchase a Second Vehicle Pass for an additional vehicle for $5.00. If you decide to purchase the Second Vehicle Pass at a later time, simply bring your Annual Pass with you when you make your purchase. Second Vehicle Passes are validated for the same month and year as the annual Adventure Pass. Therefore it is to the buyer’s advantage to purchase both passes at the same time. Note: There is no second vehicle pass option for the America the Beautiful Interagency Passes.

Tip: When buying Annual & Second Vehicle Adventure Passes or America the Beautiful Interagency Passes, consider making your purchase near the beginning of the month. Why? – Because these passes are valid until the end of the month of purchase in the following year. Plan ahead and get 13 months use from your Adventure Passes or America the Beautiful Interagency Passes! Visit this link for more information about second vehicle passes.

What about Refunds, Exchanges or Extensions?

The general policy is that there are NO refunds, exchanges or extensions given for Adventure Passes. Each Line Officer may evaluate individual circumstances. For instance, if a pass has been severely damaged it may be replaced with a new pass if the line officer believes they can distinguish the validity of that pass.

On rare occasions, the Forest Supervisors may decide to offer a short-term "general" refund or extension program. For more information, go to the "refunds" section of Questions and Answers related to REA in southern California.

Refunds are not usually given for America the Beautiful Interagency Passes.

Will I receive a Ticket (citation) for not displaying an Adventure Pass?

Please visit the Recreation Fee Compliance section for more information on citations and enforcement.

I Received a Notice of Required Fee- Now What?

The Notice of Required Fee (NRF) is a “warning” (read more in the Recreation Fee Compliance section). You are being asked to pay the required recreation use fee after-the-fact. Your payment "clears" the NRF in the database. If the vehicle license number on the NRF is in the database more than once, the registered owner may receive a citation for any future violation of the fee regulation. Remember: These recreation fees go to provide needed public services, upkeep of facilities and to repair the impacts of heavy use or abuse of the forest landscape and wildlife habitat. Those who do not pay the fee push their financial responsibility onto other law abiding forest visitors who paid, and who rightfully complain about those who don't - the fee program will be enforced!

 Resolve your NRF online

If you were not involved in recreation use of the forest, or the facilities or services provided, you may send a brief note of explanation to the address at the bottom of the NRF.

San Bernardino National Forest
Pass Program Headquarters - Notices
602 S. Tippecanoe Avenue
San Bernardino, CA 92408-2607

Typical examples of exemptions to the fee are vehicle mechanical trouble, stops for activities incidental to through travel (take a photo, brief rest, use a restroom, etc). Administrative Passes are available free for convenience purposes. Check with your local Forest Service office (for an office listing, go to Need More Information?).

If the Field Ranger missed seeing your pass, or left you a message stating that your pass was unreadable, please contact the Fee Program office at 909-382-2622, 2623 or 2618. A service representative will assist you in resolving the issue.

Isn’t the Recreation Fee Demonstration program just an effort to prepare the public for privatization and commercialization of the forests?

In the 8 years that the recreation fee demonstration program has been in existence, there has been no effort or pressure to convert these fee programs into private sector management. The trend towards more private/public partnerships has led to concerns by some that the National Forests are becoming 'privatized'; that efforts of such groups as the American Recreation Coalition-- who support legislation benefiting recreation opportunities--reflect a deliberate effort to commercialize the Forests. This is absolutely not the case! These natural pairings are an outgrowth of the continued effort to bridge an ever-widening gap between tax dollars and the costs of providing services.

What many people do not realize is that their recreation activities in the National Forests are highly subsidized by American taxpayers. The Recreation Fee Demonstration Program is testing the willingness of those individuals who derive direct benefit from the forest to invest in their chosen activity, rather than asking all taxpayers--even those who would never visit a National Forest--to pay more.

The Adventure Pass part of the fee program asks individuals to play a direct and supportive role in caring for the lands they use and enjoy; to make a small investment to help ensure a bright future for the National Forests of coastal and southern California.

Please visit the section Bridging the Funding Gap for more information about the several methods and resources the Forest Service uses to provide public recreation opportunities.