Passes

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Most National Forest System lands are open and free of charge for your use and enjoyment; however, entrance or user fees may be charged at some areas under the provisions of the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, established by Congress to replace the former Fee Demo Program.

At present, passes are only required at the Hapgood Pond Recreation Area, which is marked as a fee area.  Non-campers can pay the day use fee of $4.00 per vehicle, or $2.00 per each walk or bike in visitor at the self-service fee station at the entrance gate. Each car can have up to eight people. Any non-profit can pay $5 per vehicle regardless of the number of people. You can purchase a season pass (Manchester Ranger District) for $35 per car and a second car in the same household can receive a second pass for $20.

The two pavilions at Hapgood Pond can be rented for a $25 use fee per day. All pavilion reservations are done online at http://www.recreation.gov/. Reservation can be made 12 months in advance and must be 4 days prior to arrival date. PS1 is the pavilion closest to the beach and PS1 is the pavilion nearest the dam. None of the campsites can be reserved, even though they are listed on the site, they are first come, first served.

Almost all the proceeds from these fees and passes stay on the Forest and are used for improving your experience.  Special, nation-wide passes, such as the, Interagency Senior Pass, Interagency Access Pass, Golden Age Pass, and Golden Access Pass are valid on the Green Mountain National Forest.

Holders of the Interagency Senior, Interagency Access, Golden Age, or Golden Access passes receive a 50% discount for Hapgood Pond.  However, while parked at Hapgood Pond, the pass must be displayed on the dash, or rearview mirror with accompanying hang tag, of the pass-holder’s vehicle.

An Interagency Pass can be purchased at the Supervisor’s Office in Rutland or one of our District Offices in Middlebury, Rochester, and Manchester.  The Golden Age and Golden Access passes are still valid but have been replaced by the Interagency Senior Pass and Interagency Access Pass. They can be exchanged for free at our offices for an updated pass.

Acceptable Forms of Proof of Disability

• A statement signed by a licensed physician attesting that the applicant has a permanent physical, mental, or sensory impairment that severely limits one or more major life activity, and stating the nature of the impairment.
• A document issued by a federal agency, such as the Veteran's Administration, which attests that the applicant has been medically determined to be eligible to receive federal benefits as a result of disability. Other acceptable federal agency documents include proof of receipt of Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to disability.
• A document issued by a state agency, such as the vocational rehabilitation agency, which attests that the applicant has been medically determined to be eligible to receive that agencies benefits or services as a result of medically determined permanent disability. Showing a state motor vehicle department disability sticker, license plate, or hang tag is not acceptable documentation.