Fees & Passes

Free

No entrance pass required

An entrance pass is not required to access Big Thicket National Preserve.

Other National Park Service sites may require an entrance pass or fee. Depending on your trip plans, an interagency pass may save you money.

2025 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

• Thursday, January 9 — National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter Jr.
• Monday, January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Saturday, April 19 — First Day of National Park Week
• Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
• Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
• Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day

 

America the Beautiful Interagency Passes

Eligible individuals can get the following interagency passes at the Big Thicket Visitor Center:

 

Access Pass

Photo on the pass by Steven Koehler

Access Pass

• Cost: Free
• Available For: US citizens and permanent residents with permanent disabilities
• Pass Is Valid: For life
• Applicants must sign a statement of permanent disability. If an applicant is unable to read or sign the statement, a designated representative may sign the statement in the presence of the applicant and ranger issuing the pass.
• May provide a 50% discount on some recreation fees, such as camping

 

2024 Military Annual Pass

Photo on the pass by Paulette Donnellon

Military Annual Pass

• Cost: Free
• Available For: Current US military members and their dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, as well as Reserve and National Guard members
• Pass Is Valid: For 1 year from date of issuance
• Military and dependents must present one of the following: Common Access Card (CAC), DD Form 1173, or Next Generation Dependent ID

 

Military Lifetime Pass

Photo on the pass by Jacob W. Frank

Military Lifetime Pass

• Cost: Free
• Available For: US military veterans and Gold Star Families
• Pass Is Valid: For life
• Veterans must present one of the following:
  Unexpired Dept. of Defense ID Card (DD Form 2, DD Form 2765, or Next Generation USID replacement)
  Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
  Veteran ID card
  Veteran designation on a state-issued US driver’s license or ID card.
• Gold Star Families must download and print a voucher to exchange for the pass.

 

4th Grade Pass

4th Grade Pass

• Cost: Free
• Available For: US 4th grade students
• Pass Is Valid: September 1 through August 31 of the student's 4th grade year
• Students must print a voucher to exchange for the pass. Visit the Every Kid Outdoors website to download the voucher and learn more about the 4th grade pass program. Digital versions of the paper voucher, such as on smart phones or tablets, are not accepted to exchange for a 4th grade pass.

 

Other Passes

The Senior Pass and Annual Pass are NOT available at Big Thicket National Preserve.

• Other locations that issue passes
• Order your pass online at the USGS Store (additional fees are charged for processing and shipping).
• Interested in earning a volunteer pass? Learn more about volunteer opportunities at Big Thicket.

 

More Information About Passes

Visit the America the Beautiful Passes page for more information about the different kinds of passes for national parks and other federal public lands.

 

Permits

Some recreational activities require a free permit:

• Backcountry camping
• Hunting
• Trapping

Other permits:

• Scientific research
• Special use permit for hosting an event, conducting business, first amendment activities, and other special park uses