Wisconsin State Park Pass, decoded
One sticker, 124 places. Here's how to get the most out of it.
Everything about the Wisconsin State Park System vehicle admission pass (the sticker) and the state trail pass, in plain English. Rates shown took effect Aug. 19, 2025.
The short answer: an annual sticker is $28 with Wisconsin plates or $50 with out-of-state plates, and a daily pass is $13 or $16. Wisconsin residents 65 and older pay $13 a year or $3 a day. A state trail pass for biking or skiing is $25 a year or $5 a day; hiking is free.
Buy online at shop.wi.gov ↗ Official DNR page ↗
Vehicle admission
| Vehicle | 12-month | Extra household vehicle | Daily |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin plates | $28 | $15.50 | $13 |
| Wisconsin plates, resident 65+ | $13 | n/a | $3 |
| Out-of-state plates | $50 | $32.50 | $16 |
| Bus, Wisconsin plates | n/a | n/a | $16 |
| Bus, out-of-state plates | n/a | n/a | $30 |
The daily pass is good for its date of issue only. Pay before you use the property; paying late adds a $5 charge. A free towed-vehicle pass covers a vehicle that's towed or carried in and won't be driven there.
Should I buy the annual?
With Wisconsin plates the annual sticker ($28) pays for itself by visit 3 at $13 a day; with out-of-state plates ($50 a year, $16 a day) it's visit 4. Camping nights count as visits, since campers without the annual sticker buy a daily pass for every night. The interactive page has a calculator for your own trips, vehicles and trail days.
State trail pass
Needed by anyone 16 or older who bikes, in-line skates, rides horseback or cross-country skis on designated trails, both on state trails and on trails inside certain parks and forests. Every rider needs one, so a tandem bike needs two.
Free: walking, hiking, snowshoeing, and kids under 16. Snowmobile, ATV and OHM riders are covered by their registration.
The annual pass always expires Dec. 31. Online passes arrive as a digital download. County and local trails have their own fees; the state pass doesn't cover them.
| Trail pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Annual (calendar year) | $25 |
| Daily | $5 |
| Residents & nonresidents | Same price |
Free days & waivers
- Free Fun Weekend: first full weekend in June. Vehicle and trail pass fees are waived, and it's Free Fishing Weekend too.
- Wisconsin service members: free on Veterans Day and Memorial Day weekend (Saturday–Monday) with proof of service.
- Disabled veterans & former POWs (Wisconsin residents): admission and trail fees waived. Apply with Form 2500-123, certified by your County Veteran Service Officer.
- Conservation Patron license holders: free admission and trail access.
- Schools & nonprofits: authorized school trips, college field classes and nonprofit groups serving people with disabilities can apply with Form 2500-113 at least 7 days ahead.
Pro tips
Buy it early in the month
The 12-month sticker is good through the last day of its punched month. Buy it on the 1st and you get almost 13 months of use; buy it on the 31st and you get 12.
Second car? $15.50
Additional vehicles registered at the same household address get a reduced-rate annual sticker ($15.50 WI, $32.50 out-of-state). Buy it with the full-price pass or bring proof that you did.
Residents 65+: $13 a year
Wisconsin residents age 65 and up pay $13 for the 12-month sticker or $3 for a day pass.
Conservation Patrons ride free
A Conservation Patron license includes free vehicle admission and free state trail access. Trade the voucher on your license printout for a sticker at any park, forest or DNR service center.
Federal pass? Try the Ice Age units
Certain federal passes, like America the Beautiful (but not the 4th-grade pass), waive vehicle admission at Ice Age Reserve units, including Devil's Lake, Interstate and Mill Bluff.
Renew your plates, get a sticker
Wisconsin residents can add an annual sticker when renewing plates online at regrenewal.wi.gov or at a DMV kiosk. It's valid from purchase, not your registration month.
Campers need a pass too
Without a 12-month sticker, campers buy a daily pass for every night. On a long weekend, the annual sticker is usually the better buy.
Kiosks run 6 a.m.–11 p.m.
Many properties have self-serve credit card kiosks open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., even when the office is closed. If you skip paying, there's an extra $5 charge.
Give it as a gift
Buy a 12-month sticker online with your own info, then hand over the physical sticker. Or ship it straight to the recipient.
New windshield? Save the pieces
Lost stickers aren't replaced. If you replace your windshield or car, scrape the old sticker off with the punched month visible and bring or mail it in for a replacement.
Where to buy
Online
shop.wi.gov/dnrparkspasses. One pass or pass package per order, including one reduced-rate sticker with a full-price one.
At the park
At the office during office hours (cash, card or check) or at a self-serve kiosk from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (cards only).
DNR service centers
In person at open DNR service centers.
With plate renewal
Wisconsin residents can add one at regrenewal.wi.gov or a DMV self-service kiosk. Not available by mail or as a reduced-rate pass.
Bulk (20+)
For organizations: email [email protected]. Same price, no discount, about two weeks to ship.
Questions
Call 1-888-936-7463 (7 a.m.–10 p.m.) or email [email protected]. Camping reservations: 1-888-947-2757.
Questions people ask
Do I need a pass to hike a state trail?
No. Walking, hiking and snowshoeing on state trails are free. Riders 16 and older need a state trail pass for biking, in-line skating, horseback riding or cross-country skiing where it's posted ($5 a day or $25 for the calendar year). Snowmobile, ATV and off-highway motorcycle riders don't need one; they pay through registration fees.
Where do I need a vehicle sticker?
On every motor vehicle that stops at a state park, forest or recreation area, including motorcycles and campers. Some properties don't require one: use the “No sticker needed” filter on the Explore page to see them all.
Does the sticker transfer between cars?
No. It's non-transferable and must be stuck to the inside of the windshield, lower left on the driver's side. Motorcycles without a suitable windshield can put it on the front fork, behind the plate or under the seat.
Rental car with out-of-state plates?
Same rules apply: out-of-state plates need the nonresident pass, even if you live in Wisconsin.
Can I get a refund?
No. Vehicle stickers and trail passes are non-refundable, and lost or stolen passes aren't replaced.
When does the trail pass expire?
The annual state trail pass always expires Dec. 31 of the year it's for, no matter when you buy it, so buy it early in the season.
I got a fee notice but I have a sticker
Take your pass (or proof of purchase) to the property office within 10 days to clear it. For motorcycle stickers, go back to the park office to void the notice.
What about Heritage Hill?
Heritage Hill charges per person instead and doesn't sell vehicle passes.