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Recreation Passport
Recreation Passport
Check “YES“ for the Recreation Passport when you renew your license plate through the Secretary of State.
The Recreation Passport is required for motorized vehicle access to state parks and recreation areas and state-managed boating access sites, state forest campgrounds, thousands of miles of trails and other outdoor spaces – all year long!
Michigan's state-managed parks and recreation system is largely self-supporting. Funds derived from the Recreation Passport go right back into maintaining and improving the outdoor spaces we all love, and protecting natural resources for the next generation.
Have a question?
We've compiled answers to your most common questions.
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RESIDENTS
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NONRESIDENTS
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*EXEMPTIONS
Cost and purchase locations for Michigan-registered vehicles (annual pass option only)
- Vehicles $14 when purchased at time of license plate registration renewal through the Secretary of State. A two-year option is available for $28.
- Motorcycles $7 when purchased at time of your license plate registration renewal through the Secretary of State.
- Moped $7 when purchased at state parks and most DNR customer service centers.
- Commercial daily pass $21 when purchased at state parks (24k+ lbs and/or seating capacity of 16+).
- The purchase of a separate Recreation Passport is required for unhitched towed vehicles.
*There's a $5 convenience fee (except for Belle Isle Park) when the Recreation Passport is not purchased at the time of your license plate registration renewal through the Secretary of State, and is instead purchased at a state park, recreation area or DNR customer service center. There is no convenience fee when purchasing a passport for a moped.
Other need-to-know info:
- A resident Recreation Passport cannot be purchased online.
- The passport is valid for one year and/or until your license plate registration expires.
- When purchased at the time of license plate registration renewal, your license plate tab will have the letter "P." When purchased at a different time, you'll receive a sticker that must be permanently affixed to the lower passenger-side windshield.
- State parks accept debit/credit, cash and check.
- DNR customer service centers, with the exception of Baraga and Bay City, sell Recreation Passports via cash or check (no credit/debit).
- Self-registration envelopes and fee pipes are available at many state parks, boating access sites and state forest campgrounds. In addition, there are self-serve kiosks at Belle Isle, Duck Lake, Island Lake, Maybury, Palms Book, Saugatuck Dunes and Tahquamenon Falls state parks/recreation areas and Island Lake Recreation Area gun range. The $5 convenience fee applies.
Cost for non-Michigan-registered vehicles
- Annual: $40 / $41 beginning Jan. 1, 2025
- Daily: $11 - good for entry and re-entry to any state park for the day.
- Towed motor vehicle: $8 / $9 beginning Jan. 1, 2025 - available if a towed motor vehicle will be unhitched from a stationary recreational vehicle (RV) and driven anywhere in the state park or campground; however, the RV must have an annual, nonresident passport.
- Commercial daily pass: $21 - (24k+ lbs and/or seating capacity of 16+).
* Annual nonresident passports expire Dec. 31 of the year it was purchased. The annual passport sticker must be permanently affixed to your lower passenger-side windshield.
Where to purchase
- MiDNRReservations.com/Store (annual only with a 2-3 week processing time).
- Michigan state parks and recreation areas (annual, daily, towed vehicle and commercial).
- Most DNR customer service centers, (annual only) except Baraga and Bay City. Cash and checks only. No credit or debit cards.
- Self-registration envelopes and fee pipes at many state parks, boating access sites and state forest campgrounds (annual, daily and towed vehicle).
- Self-serve kiosks (not including towed motor vehicle passports) at Belle Isle, Duck Lake, Island Lake, Maybury, Palms Book, Saugatuck Dunes and Tahquamenon Falls state parks/recreation areas and Island Lake Recreation Area gun range.
The purchase of a Recreation Passport is not required for the following:
- Entry on foot or bicycle into state parks, trails, historic sites, boat launches and other state-managed destinations.
- School and public transit authority buses.
- Snowmobiles (Vehicles trailering or carrying snowmobiles still need a passport to enter or park).
- Michigan registered vehicles with a valid resident:
- Ex-prisoner of war plate.
- Disabled veteran plate.
- Medal of honor plate.
- Congressional Medal of Honor plate.
How to use your passport
You must display your Recreation Passport on your motor vehicle, motorcycle or commercial motor vehicle when entering or parking in any Michigan state park or recreation area, state forest campground, designated boating access site or parking lot, state-designated trailhead, recreation staging area or access site related to trails/pathways.
How the funds are used
- State parks and recreation areas, state forest campgrounds, trails and boat launches.
- Historic sites within state parks.
- Outdoor recreation facilities and opportunities.
- Local park improvements via Recreation Passport Grants. Ten percent of the funds (nearly $2 million) is awarded to local communities for park development and improvement projects.
Questions? Please contact us DNR-ParksAndRecreation@Michigan.gov or call 517-284-7275.