Pass Application Process

The following applications will allow the applicant to purchase the respective passes subject to the approval of the application.

Passes that Require an Application:

Disabled Discount Pass

For persons with permanent disabilities, this pass entitles the bearer to a 50% discount for vehicle day use, family camping, and boat use fees at California State Park operated units.

Distinguished Veteran Pass

Honorably discharged war veterans who are residents of California with an overall / combined rating at 50% or greater service-connected disability, or were held as prisoners of war by forces hostile to the United States, or recipients of the Medal of Honor are eligible to receive the Distinguished Veteran Pass (formerly Disabled War Veteran/Prisoner of War Pass).

Golden Bear Pass
Under the law, any qualifying person receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) [CA State Welfare and Institutions Code Section 12200]; any person receiving aid under the CalWORKS Program; or any person 62 years of age or older with income limitations specified on the current application form is eligible to receive the Golden Bear Pass.

Limited Use Golden Bear Pass

Persons 62 years of age or older are eligible to receive the Limited Use Golden Bear Pass. The pass entitles the holder and spouse or registered domestic partner entry to most California State Park operated units during non-peak season where vehicle day use fees are collected at no charge. The pass must be renewed each calendar year. It is not valid for use during the peak season from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day at most state parks, and the Friday before Labor Day through Memorial Day at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Picacho State Recreation Area and Salton Sea State Recreation Area. The pass is not valid at units operated by local government, private agencies or concessionaires. It is not valid for per-person entry or tour fees (such as museums), boat use, camping, group use or sites, special events, commercial use, oversized vehicle fees, additional/extra vehicle fees, or for supplemental fees and cannot be used in conjunction with any other pass and/or discount.

Here is some information about the application process:

Each application will have multiple sections, which are to be completed in a sequence.
Each application will have a set of documents which are to be uploaded by the applicant in pdf format with a file maximum size of 5 MB.
Users can partially save the applications and fill it in multiple attempts.
Finalization will be the last step of submitting the application which will only be allowed once all the sections are completed by the applicant. Once an application is finalized, no more edits will be allowed.
To view the status of a finalized application, the applicant needs to visit this same page and select the appropriate dependent and click on Check Status button on the respective application tile.

Visit the California State Parks Pass webpage for more information.

If you have any questions, please contact us by email at parkpassinfo@parks.ca.gov.

To assist the guest with the Pass Application process, direct the guest to the Applications link after logging into www.reservecalifornia.com.

From here, the guest will be presented with the Pass Application Process (as seen above).

Clicking on the drop down for Important California State Park Pass Information, will provide the guest with additional expectations and directions regarding the application process (as seen below).

Important California State Park Pass Information:

After being approved for a California State Park discount pass or special event permit through this site, complete the purchase (including no-cost purchases) using the webform below.

Haven’t applied yet? Submit your application using the Applications webpage.

Have an approved application and need to complete the transaction? There is a final step after application approval where you return to this site to buy your pass or permit (including no-cost passes). Under 'Select Pass', choose the appropriate pass for which you applied.

Visit the Online Application Steps webpage for detailed instructions.

Looking for a different California State Park pass?

California State Parks offers many passes. Here, you can apply for the following passes: Disabled Discount, Distinguished Veteran, Golden Bear and Limited Use Golden Bear, as well as the new Adventure Pass for fourth graders. For purchasing annual passes, such as the California Explorer and Golden Poppy, visit the California State Parks Store. Visit the California State Parks Pass webpage for information on all available passes.

Pass renewal or extension question? Visit the Renewal & Extension Information webpage for the latest information on when to renew your pass and the current process.

Before processing an Application, the guest want to first ensure they have the appropriate Applicant selected by clicking the Radio Button next to the Account Holder's name.

If the guest has not already submitted an Application, they will click the Apply button associated with the Pass they wish to Apply for.

This will launch the associated Pass Application.

Direct the guest to click on the drop down for Step 1: Contact Information.

The guests existing profile information will cascade out. Ask the guest to confirm the information is still accurate, make any necessary changes, select the check box next to Click to Confirm Personal Information and Mailing Address, then Save & Continue.

Next, the guest will click on the drop down for Step 2: Extra Information.

This will cascade out Extra required Information for the application process. Instruct the guest to complete this section and click Save & Continue.

Lastly, the guest will select the drop down for Upload Documents and upload the required Documents based off of the Pass they are applying for. When each of these requests are showing Uploaded Successfully, the guest can click Save & Continue.

The guest should now see each Step checked off and they can click Finalize to finalize their application.

The guest will be advised from here that they will not be capable of making edits if they click Ok.

Upon selecting OK, the guest will be advised that their application was submitted for review and they should receive an email confirmation.

Inform the guest that they can track the progress of their application by returning to their online account, or by utlizing the link provided in the confirmation email.

To view the status of the application via their online profile, the guest will Log In, select Applications and click Started/Submitted after ensuring the appropriate Applicant is selected.

Any submitted applications will appear below and can be viewed by selecting, Check Status.

Below is an example of the details the guest will see upon Checking the Status of their application.

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