INDIANA — With the summer travel season kicking into high gear, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to secure their annual passes and permits online. Purchasing digital or physical passes ahead of time allows visitors to bypass long gate lines and enjoy seamless, unlimited access to Indiana’s 32 state parks and reservoirs all season long.
Indiana residents can find the portal live on the official Indiana DNR website, where a variety of customizable passes, vehicular permits, and activity tags are available for immediate purchase.
2026 Pass and Permit Lineup
Whether your summer plans involve hiking through canyon trails, launching a boat, or riding horseback, the DNR has issued several standard options for the 2026 season:
- Annual State Park Entrance Pass ($50): Admits noncommercial vehicles with Indiana license plates, along with the driver and all passengers, to any DNR property charging a gate fee. (Note: Out-of-state residents can purchase a non-resident pass for $120).
- Golden Hoosier Entrance Passport ($25): A discounted annual pass tailored specifically for Indiana residents who are at least 65 years old, or residents who are eligible for Social Security Disability Income.
- Motorized Lake Permit: Required for any motorized watercraft utilizing DNR-managed state lakes and reservoirs.
- Nonmotorized Lake Permit: Covers canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and rowboats utilizing state-managed waters.
- Annual Horse Tag: Required for any horse brought onto state park or forestry trails.
- Off-Road Cycling Permit: Grants access to designated mountain bike trails within the state park system.
Direct Access: Local Southern Indiana Destinations
For residents in Southern Indiana, these annual passes pay for themselves in just a few visits. A standard state park gate entry fee is $7 per vehicle, meaning a $50 Annual Pass is mathematically the cheaper option if you plan to visit a park eight or more times before December 31, 2026.
Local properties where these annual permits and lake tags are accepted include:
| Property | County | Top Features |
| Spring Mill State Park | Lawrence | Pioneer Village, Twin Caves boat tours, and mountain bike trails. |
| Patoka Lake | Orange / Dubois / Crawford | 8,800 acres of water ideal for motorized boating, fishing, and a wildlife refuge. |
| Martin State Forest | Martin | Rugged hiking, fishing lakes, and quiet campgrounds. |
| Glendale Fish & Wildlife Area | Daviess | Prime location for nonmotorized kayaking, boating, and bluegill fishing on Dogwood Lake. |
| Monroe Lake | Monroe | Indiana’s largest landlocked body of water, featuring multiple state recreation areas (SRAs) like Fairfax and Paynetown. |
Before buying, check with your local public library branch. Several library systems across Southern Indiana participate in the DNR’s State Park Pass Library Check-out Program, which allows cardholders to temporarily check out an “Adventure Pack” containing a state park pass for up to a week at no charge.
Free Admission Groups
As a reminder, the Indiana DNR provides free annual entrance passes to qualifying Indiana foster families, as well as Gold Star families and Disabled Hoosier Veterans (with proper verification forms submitted to the DNR).
To purchase your annual passes, check specific watercraft rules, or view interactive trail maps for your upcoming trip, visit the online portal at IN.gov/dnr.
