(19/P020) TRENTON – New Jersey will be the first state in the nation to sell annual state parks passes through a public lands pass website, giving visitors the opportunity to save gas, time and money by avoiding daily walk-in costs and parking fees, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced today.
The online purchase program through YourPassNow takes effect on Monday, April 1 and stems from an existing partnership between the DEP’s Division of Parks and Forestry and the New Jersey Division of NICUSA Inc. YourPassNow is a digital marketplace that makes it easy and convenient for visitors to purchase online electronic passes, permits and tickets to public lands.
“This partnership benefits the public in a variety of ways and is another example of New Jersey’s environmental leadership on a national level,” Commissioner McCabe said. “Instead of driving to a park office to buy an annual pass or mailing an application, visitors can order an annual state parks decal online at their convenience and affix it to their vehicle’s windshield. Using this method will allow visitors to save transportation time and costs and help reduce fuel emissions.”
YourPassNow.com offers online purchase of passes to approximately 22 federal and state sites, most of which are in the western half of the United States. With New Jersey’s entry into the program, residents and non-residents have the option to buy a decal to affix to their vehicle’s windshield that will provide entrance for one calendar year to state parks, forests and historic sites. Fees vary, and a $3 per-pass surcharge will apply to every purchase.
“The Division of Parks and Forestry is excited to offer a new and convenient way to purchase a New Jersey State Park Pass through YourPassNow,” said Olivia Glenn, Parks and Forestry Director. “We hope to attract more state park pass holders who enjoy our forests, beaches, historic sites and the 1,000 miles of trails in the state park system.”
Visitors can order one or more passes, including discounted household passes, for other members of their household, or as gifts for family and friends.
The State Park Service includes 47 state parks, forests, recreation areas, battlefields and marinas. Camping is available at 19 sites ranging from Brendan T. Byrne State Forest in the Pinelands to Stokes State Forest near the Delaware Water Gap to Parvin State Park in Salem County. Visit www.camping.nj.gov to reserve a camping site.
The New Jersey Division of NICUSA, Inc. is the official digital government partner of New Jersey, assisting governmental entities with web-enabling their information services.
NICUSA, Inc. has partnered with the DEP on other information services projects, including development of the award-winning campground reservation system NJ Outdoors at camping.nj.gov and WARN NJDEP, a smart device app that allows the public to report non-emergency environmental incidents. WARN NJDEP is available in the Google Play store and the Apple App Store.
For a list of fees and to purchase an annual pass to New Jersey’s Parks, Forests and Historic Sites, visit https://yourpassnow.com/parkpass.
To learn more about New Jersey’s Parks, Forests and Historic Sites, visit www.njparksandforests.org.
Like the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/newjerseystateparks.
Follow the New Jersey State Park Service on Instagram @newjerseystateparks.
Follow the DEP on Twitter @NewJerseyDEP.
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