NPS to Discontinue Sale of Federal Lands Passes at Local Visitor Center

The National Park Service (NPS) will end the sale of federal lands passes at the Santa Monica Mountains Visitor Center starting Oct. 1. 

There is no fee to enter federal lands in the Santa Monica Mountains, but NPS has been selling the passes, which cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal lands. 
The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area averages just over one sale per day and is not generating any funds for park improvement projects, according to the NPS.

Superintendent David Szymanski explains that selling federal lands passes requires an NPS ranger to be on duty at all times. 

"Running a well-managed fee or pass program requires training, inventories, audits and oversight," said Szymanski. “Discontinuing the sale of these passes gives us greater flexibility to put our staff where the demand for programs and public services are greatest.”  

NPS will still maintain a strong presence at the visitor center, but rangers from partner agencies and from the volunteer program will now be able to fill in gaps as needed.

Most passes can be purchased either online, by phone or by mail – more information is available atwww.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm. Military passes must be purchased in person and are available at Channel Islands National Park’s visitor center in Ventura or at Angeles National Forestheadquarters in Arcadia.