About NY State Parks Empire Pass 

What is the Empire Pass?  

The Empire Pass provides all-season access to more than 250 state parks, historic sites, golf courses, trails, and other must-visit outdoor destinations in New York State.  

Go green by storing your Empire Pass in your New York State Wallet, allowing you to quickly gain access to your digital pass so you can start exploring New York’s outdoors. Whether you’re purchasing an Empire Pass for the first time or renewing, the New York State Wallet app provides a secure and convenient way to digitally add your pass.    

How is New York State Wallet different than using my NY State Parks Explorer app to add my Empire Pass?  

Both apps now allow you to securely add your digital NY State Parks Empire Pass. The NY State Parks Explorer app provides helpful information about New York State Parks, activities, and adventures available at New York State Parks. Visit the Parks Explorer app website to learn more about the Parks Explorer App.  

If you have any questions regarding where you can use your Empire Pass, how to purchase an Empire Pass, or the different types of Empire Passes available, please visit the Empire Pass page.  

To utilize the Empire Pass you must purchase or renew an Empire Pass. To purchase an Empire Pass, visit the Parks Store.

Can I renew or purchase an Empire Pass through my New York State Wallet App?  

No, the New York State Wallet app is a holder for your Pass. To renew or purchase an Empire Pass, visit the Empire Pass website.  

Will I receive both a physical and a digital NY State Parks Empire Pass to add to my New York State Wallet App?   

Purchasing a new NY State Parks Empire Pass: No, you will not get both. Starting Fall 2022, you can opt-in to a “green” alternative to the physical NY State Parks Empire Pass during the purchase process and get a digital pass. If you select to receive the digital version of the pass, you will not be mailed a physical pass (which can take between 7-10 days). 

Renewing your NY State Parks Empire Pass: Yes, if you are renewing a physical pass issued prior to Fall 2022. You can retrieve a digital version of your pass through email confirmation or “Add Pass to NYS Wallet” button (the two options presented in set up below).  

Does it cost anything to add my Empire Pass to my New York State Wallet App?  

No, the New York State Wallet app is free to use, but you must have purchased or renewed an Empire Pass in order to add it to the New York State Wallet. The New York State Wallet app can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.  

Can parents purchase an Empire Pass for their child?   

A NY State Parks Empire Pass can be shared within a household. To learn more about sharing your NY State Parks Empire Pass, visit the  Empire Pass website and visit the FAQ page.    

Can I purchase a digital NY State Parks Empire Pass over the phone or by mail? 

No, currently the digital option for the NY State Parks Empire Pass may only be purchased on the NYS Parks website. Please contact the Empire Pass office during normal weekday business hours for assistance purchasing a digital NY State Parks Empire Pass. 

Adding your NY State Parks Empire Pass to your New York State Wallet App via the “Access my Digital Empire Pass” Button    

Upon successful renewal/purchase of your NY State Parks Empire Pass, click “Access my Digital NY State Parks Empire Pass” at the bottom of your browser’s screen: 

On a computer:     

• Click “View my Digital Empire Pass” and follow the steps on the PDF document.  
• Open your New York State Wallet app and tap the “+” button at the top right corner of the app.   
• Select “Add NY State Parks Empire Pass”. 
• Select “Scan Pass QR code”. 
• scan the QR code located on the PDF document with your mobile device. 
• Your NY State Parks Empire Pass will automatically be added to your New York State Wallet.   

On a mobile device: 

• Tap “Add Pass to NYS Wallet”.    

• Your New York State Wallet app will automatically open* and ask you to enter your PIN/enabled security features. PIN/enabled security features must be set up in order to add your NY State Parks Empire Pass to your New York State Wallet.  

• Your NY State Parks Empire Pass will be added to your New York State Wallet app.   

*If you do not have the New York State Wallet app downloaded, you will be redirected to the App Store or Google Play store. Upon download and set-up, navigate back to your browser, click “Add Pass to NYS Wallet”.

Adding your NY State Parks Empire Pass to your New York State Wallet via Email Confirmation   

Upon successful renewal/purchase of your NY State Parks Empire Pass, open your email confirmation and click “Access my Digital Empire Pass” 

You will be prompted to complete your Digital Empire Pass Look-up, using your Last Name, Zip/Postal Code and Pass Number (which can be found in your confirmation email): 

After a successful lookup on a computer:  

• Click “View my Digital Empire Pass” and follow the steps on the PDF document.  
• Open your New York State Wallet app and tap the “+” button at the top right corner of the app.  
•  Select “Add NY State Parks Empire Pass”. 
• Select “Scan Pass QR code”. 
• Scan the QR code located on the PDF document with your mobile device. 
• Your NY State Parks Empire Pass will automatically be added to your New York State Wallet.   

After a successful lookup on a mobile device:    

• Tap “Add Pass to NYS Wallet”.    
• Your New York State Wallet app* will automatically open, prompt you to authenticate using your PIN/enabled security features, and your NY State Parks Empire Pass will be added to your New York State Wallet app. PIN/enabled security features must be set up in order to add your NY State Parks Empire Pass to your New York State Wallet.  

*If you do not have New York State Wallet downloaded, you will be redirected to the App Store or Google Play store. Upon download and set-up, navigate back to your browser, click “Add Pass to NYS Wallet”, and proceed. 

Can I add a lifetime NYS Parks Empire Pass to NYS Wallet? 

At this time, existing NYS Parks Lifetime Passes cannot be added to the NYS Wallet. Please continue to use your existing Empire Pass in its physical form or you add a digital version to the NY State Parks Explorer app.   

Please note, for renewals it will take up to 24 hours for your NY State Parks Empire Pass to activate after adding to your New York State Wallet. 

Once you download New York State Wallet and add your NY State Parks Empire Pass to it, you can use your New York State Wallet app to access New York State parks throughout the entire year. A one-year, multi-year, or lifetime pass provides unlimited day-use and vehicle entry to many facilities operated by New York State Parks and the State Department of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Learn more where the NY State Parks Empire Pass is accepted. 

Does my Digital NY State Parks Empire Pass expire?  

Your digital NY State Parks Empire Pass expires in your New York State Wallet when the pass you purchased expires. To learn more about pass expirations, please visit the Empire Pass website. 

Do I need to have access to Wi-Fi or data in order to use my NY State Parks Empire Pass?  

No.  Once you have downloaded New York State Wallet and uploaded your NY State Parks Empire Pass successfully, you do not need Wi-Fi to access your pass.   

Can I print my digital NY State Parks Empire Pass?  

Yes. If you do not have a smartphone, you can print the PDF document generated during your NY State Parks Empire Pass purchase directly from your internet browser. The QR code on this document can be used at check-in kiosks. You cannot print the NY State Parks Empire Pass from your New York State Wallet.

Is New York State Wallet available in multiple languages? 

Yes. New York State Wallet is available in more than 10 languages including English, Spanish, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Russian, Haitian Creole, Korean, Bengali, Arabic, Italian, Polish, and Yiddish. 

Is my NY State Parks Empire Pass secure within New York State Wallet?   

Yes. Your personal information is kept private and secure and can only be shared by you. Your data is only used to retrieve State-issued digital passes, licenses, and records. Your personal data will not be used for sales or marketing purposes or shared with a third party. You can learn about NY State Parks Empire Pass by visiting the NY State Parks Empire Pass website.   

Where can I read the New York State Wallet and NY State Parks Empire Pass Data and Privacy Policies?  

The full New York State Wallet Data and Privacy Policy can be accessed directly within New York State Wallet’s settings screen and on the New York State Wallet Website.

 Please visit the Empire Pass website to access the NY State Parks Empire Pass Privacy Policy. 

Where can I learn more? 

Visit the NYS Wallet Security and Privacy page to learn more. 

NY State Parks Empire Pass Support   

To learn more about the NY State Parks Empire Pass, visit the NY State Parks Empire Pass website and visit their FAQ page. If you have questions about renewing your existing NY State Parks Empire Pass or purchasing a new pass, please contact the office of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at 518-474-0458 during normal business hours or email [email protected].   

New York State Wallet App Support   

If you have questions regarding your New York State Wallet app, including how to add a digital pass within your New York State Wallet app, please reach out to New York State Wallet Support at 844-NYS-WALT (844-697-9258) from 8 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST Monday – Friday.  

Feedback Form  

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