The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced that online renewals for the 2025 Empire Pass are now available through March 31, 2025. By renewing online, customers can now enjoy greater convenience by keeping their card and will receive a special savings of $8 per card for the 2025 season.

The Empire Pass program provides unlimited day-use vehicle entry to New York State Parks, state boat launch sites, arboretums, park preserves and Department of Environmental Conservation Forest preserves. When renewing online, Empire Pass-holders will keep their existing physical card or digital pass and not have to wait for the pass to be mailed or wait in line to purchase a new pass during peak season.

“We continue to offer options that make it easier and quicker to connect with the outdoors,” said New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons. “Our goal is to encourage people to visit state parks, and opting to renew online or go digital provides for a savings and convenience for New Yorkers to take advantage of the Empire Pass and enjoy the parks next season.”

Existing passholders can now renew for next season at shop.parks.ny.gov/renew/, saving $8 off the standard price. The special renewal savings is good through March 31, 2025, and applies to the single-season pass, as well as three- and five-season passes. Cards become activated 24-48 hours after purchase.

New customers can purchase Empire Passes for $80 online at shop.parks.ny.gov/ or by phone 518.474.0458. Three- and five-season Empire Passes are available to new customers for $205 and $320 respectively. The Lifetime Empire Passport can be purchased for just $750. With no expiration date, people who love the outdoors can use the lifetime pass to enjoy the parks forever. There is also a digital version of the Empire Pass that is available to purchase at a discounted price. You can keep and use a digital copy of your pass in the wallet section of the NY State Parks Explorer App.

State Parks also encourages New York's seniors age 62 and older to take advantage of the Golden Park Program, which provides them free entry into state parks on weekdays (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) simply by showing their driver's license or state-issued non-driver I.D. when they enter a park.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 84 million visits in 2023. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Join us in celebrating our Centennial throughout 2024, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), the OPRHP Blog or via the OPRHP Newsroom