The Golden Age Pass entitles pass holders to free day-use entry to all state parks that charge service fees (for cardholders only, unless a per-vehicle fee is in effect, then free entry applies to everyone in the vehicle with the cardholder). To be eligible for a Golden Age Pass, you must be 62 years of age or older.
The Golden Age Pass can be purchased online, or at designated state parks. If you plan to purchase the pass in person at a state park, please call that park office ahead of time to verify that they are sold there, or call the park service headquarters at
410-260-8186 for help finding a convenient location to purchase your pass.
This pass is also valid for half-price camping (includes campsites and mini- cabins, excludes full-service cabins and houses) for one site, Sunday through Thursday, excluding holidays. The passholder must present the original pass at check-in and must be part of the camping party on that site during the entire stay. Boat launching fees at Maryland State Parks are also waived for seniors who possess a Golden Age Pass. This is a non-transferrable, lifetime pass with a $10 processing service fee. If the pass is lost, stolen or needs to be replaced for any reason, the card holder must apply for and purchase a new pass.
PLEASE NOTE: Park passes are not valid until you have received the physical pass, which will be mailed to you after purchase. Please allow about 7-10 days for delivery by USPS. Visitors must have the physical pass with them in order to enter a state park. Some areas utilize coin-operated gates during the off season that cannot be opened with this card. The pass alone does not guarantee entry, such as in cases where a park is full to capacity or closed for adverse weather and not allowing day-use entry.
The following state parks utilize an automatic gate system: Bohemia River State Park, Point Lookout State Park, Rosaryville State Park, Sandy Point State Park, and St. Mary’s River State Park. For access to any of these State Parks’ automatic gates, Golden Age Pass holders may request a supplementary magnetic swipe card from the corresponding State Park office, at no additional charge. One swipe card may be used at any of the following participating parks. Your main pass should continue to be used at any parks without an automated gate. Please contact any of the parks listed below directly (we recommend your closest or most frequently visited) after receiving your pass, and provide your name and pass number, to arrange pickup or mailing of your card.
Bohemia River State Park: 667-500-2417 /
bohemiariver.statepark@maryland.gov
Point Lookout & St. Mary’s River State Parks: 301-872-5688 /
pointlookout.statepark@maryland.gov
Rosaryville State Park: 301-888-1410 / cedarville.statepark@maryland.gov
Sandy Point State Park: 410-974-2149 /
sandypoint.statepark@maryland.gov
Applicants who purchase this pass online will be required to upload a valid scanned document for age verification (U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, Driver's License or State Issued ID). If you are unable to upload proof of age, please complete the online order without the age-verification attachment and then mail a copy of your valid document, along with your online Golden Age Pass purchase confirmation, to:
Maryland Park Service
580 Taylor Avenue, E-3
Annapolis, MD 21401
Attn: Golden Age Pass Application
The Golden Age Pass is not valid until you have received the physical pass. Visitors must have the physical pass with them in order to use it for entry. If you plan to visit Sandy Point State Park with your pass, after you receive your pass, call the Sandy Point office at 410-974-2149 to get a magnetic swipe card to open the automatic gate. If you plan to visit Point Lookout State Park and/or St. Mary's River State Park, call the park's office at 301-872-5688 to receive a swipe card to open their automatic gates.
