Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

Recreation

  NATIONAL FOREST DAY PASS AND NORTHWEST FOREST PASS

Recreationists visiting the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest will need a National Forest Day Pass selling for $5 per day or an Annual Northwest Forest Pass for $30 per year to park at some trailheads and picnic areas. Passes are for sale at all fee sites by self-issuance through fee-tube stations, the Lostine Guard Station, and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest offices.

The requirement to have a pass for parking at specified national forest trailheads is part of several Congressionally-authorized acts since 1997 including the 2004 Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement act (more information). See how your Forest Pass dollars were used in 2008 (pdf file, 292kb).

The passes will also allow visitors to park at many other national forest trailheads across Washington and Oregon. Northwest Forest  passes will not be a substitution for other permits such as State sponsored Sno-Park, wilderness, or commercial mushroom-picking permits.  However, Golden Passports will be honored at all Northwest Forest Pass sites Golden Age and Golden Access passes will be good for 50% discounts at our Fee campgrounds.

Trailheads Requiring a Northwest Forest  Passes or the Oregon/Washington Recreation Pass

Baker Ranger District:

None

La Grande Ranger District:

• Buck Creek
• Main Eagle
• Moss Springs
• North Fork Catherine Creek
• Oregon Trail Interpretive Trail
• West Eagle Meadows

Pine Ranger District:

None

Eagle Cap Ranger District:

• Bear Creek
• Bowman/Frances Lake
• Hurricane
• Maxwell Lake
• McCully
• Two Pan

Hells Canyon National Recreation Area:

• Buck Creek
• Freezeout
• Indian Crossing
• P.O. Saddle
• Warnock Corral

Picnic Areas requiring a Northwest Forest  Pass or the Oregon/Washington Recreation Pass

La Grande Ranger District:

• Oregon Trail Interpretive
• West Eagle ( Includes the Trailhead and Picnic Area)

Golden Passport Program

The Golden Passport Program is a federal interagency recreation pass program, comprised of three distinct Passports:

GOLDEN EAGLE PASSPORT: A yearly pass honored at all Forest Service, National Parks Service, Bureau of Land Management, and US Fish and Wildlife Service sites charging fees for entrance into federal recreation areas, use of high impact recreation areas and developed day-use recreation sites which may include picnic sites, low development boat ramps, trailheads, visitor centers, and parking. This pass sells for $65. (Golden Eagle Passports are valid for entrance ONLY, and receive NO other discounts).

GOLDEN AGE PASSPORT: A lifetime pass available to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are 62 years of age or older. In addition to the benefits provided by the Golden Eagle, the Golden Age cardholders will continue to receive a 50% fee discount at campgrounds, developed boat launches and swimming sites and for specialized interpretive services. This pass sells for a one-time $10 fee.

GOLDEN ACCESS PASSPORT: A lifetime pass available to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who have been medically determined to be blind or permanently disabled and as a result, are eligible to receive benefits under federal law. A permanent disability is a permanent physical, mental, or sensory impairment that substantially limits one or more of the person’s manor life activities. This pass provides the same benefits as the Golden Age Passport. This is a free pass.

The Golden Eagle Passport does NOT include concessionaire services, however, concessionaires will honor the Golden Age/Access Passports according to the terms of their current permit.

Golden Passports are NOT valid for fees related to facility or equipment rental (cabins, lookouts, day/overnight group sites), special conservation programs, managed off highway vehicle areas, transportation systems, reservation services, or permits of any kind.