DNR goes to 12-month admission pass model

NORTHEAST WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced the Wisconsin State Park System will be moving to a 12-month admission pass model.

The new 12-month admission passes will be available for purchase beginning Monday, Dec. 2.

The update to the Wisconsin State Park System admission pass follows the implementation of 2023 Wisconsin Act 113, which was signed by Gov. Tony Evers on March 14.

The new pass model is valid for 12 months following the month of purchase, rather than expiring on Dec. 31.

The 2025 passes purchased in December 2024 will be valid through January 2026.

“With this new 12-month pass model, we hope that our customers are encouraged to spend more time outdoors enjoying Wisconsin’s beautiful public lands,” said DNR Parks and Recreation Management Director Steve Schmelzer.

“This is a great opportunity to plan a visit to a place you’ve never been before. There are tons of ways to make the most of your full 12 months of exploring.”

“The physical appearance of the pass has also been updated. In addition to being slightly larger, the 12 months of the year will be listed around the perimeter of the pass. Beginning in 2025, the pass will be marked to indicate the month and year in which the pass will expire. The pass remains valid until the final day of the 12th month following the month in which it is issued. For example, a pass that is marked to expire March 2026 will be valid through March 31, 2026,” a DNR release stated.

“Reduced-rate vehicle admission passes will still be available for additional vehicles registered to the same address. Reduced-rate passes must be purchased at the same time as the full-price pass or at a later date with proof of purchase of the full-price vehicle pass. Passes for additional vehicles will expire in the same month and year as the household’s full-price pass.

“Beginning in March 2025, conservation patron state park vehicle admission passes will be the same design as other vehicle admission passes. The validity period for conservation patron passholders is not changing. A conservation patron pass will always be marked for the month of March, regardless of when it was redeemed.

Customers are encouraged to save time by puchasing their passes at yourpassnow.com/ParkPass/wi.