Our Services

Federal Recreation Passes 

*There is no entrance fee or parking permit required to visit the refuge* 

Staff are issuing passes at the La Crosse District Visitor Center. Please follow the link to see the Visitor Center hours. All offices are closed on federal holidays. 

For fee-based passes, we can only accept cash or check payment. We cannot accept credit card payment. 

Some passes are available for purchase online. To purchase a Senior Annual, Annual, Access or Senior Lifetime Pass, visit the U.S. Geological Survey Online Store. You can find more information about these passes and fee areas, order online or plan your trip to federal public lands at Recreation.gov. 

Passes available: 

  • Senior Lifetime Pass ($80) 
  • Senior Annual Pass ($20) 
  • America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) 
  • Military Annual Pass (Free to active military) 
  • Veterans Pass (Free to veterans) 
  • Access Pass (Free, with conditions) Every Kid Outdoors Pass (Free for 4th graders, with completed online voucher) 
Silhouette of a person walking with a shotgun on the tundra
Apply for a Special Use Permit on National Wildlife Refuges

Some commercial, recreational and research activities are allowed on national wildlife refuges only with a special use permit issued by the local office, and are subject to specific conditions and fees. This permit requirement is meant to ensure that all activities at the federal site are...

Service
Communication
Permits
Business Owner/Commercial Business
Educator/Education Facility
Landowner - Commercial
Landowner - Individual
Oil/Gas Company
Private Land Owners/Managers
Researcher or Research Facility - Commercial Scientific
Kayakers navigating a swamp full of trees and lily pads.
Federal Recreation Passes

Some 30 national wildlife refuges  charge visitors a nominal entrance fee (generally $3-$5 daily) to cover road and facility maintenance. If you are a regular visitor or would like to visit other public lands, you could save by buying an America the Beautiful Federal Recreational...

Service
Entrance Passes