Wisconsin Now Lets Drivers Buy State Park Passes With DMV Renewal

A map of the trail at Natural Bridge State Park on June 7, 2025, in North Freedom, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

Wisconsinites looking to renew their vehicle registration now have the option to buy a state parks admissions pass at the same time.

Gov. Tony Evers and leaders of multiple state departments announced the new program today at a press conference at Lake Kegonsa State Park. They said the change will be more convenient for those who simply need to renew their 12-month passes and that it will potentially encourage more visits to state parks, including from people who might not otherwise have purchased an annual pass.

The option is offered through the Wisconsin DMV website, and at all 80 physical DMV locations.

“We launched this service on June 2, a soft launch to the public, and in just over a week, we’re at nearly 5,000 state park passes customers have purchased via this online service,” Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles Administrator Tommy Winkler said.

The new service offers people the option of buying a Wisconsin State Park and Forest vehicle admission pass, which costs $28, at the same time as their annual vehicle registration renewal. Annual or day passes are required for all vehicles visiting state parks, forests and recreation areas.

There are 50 state parks across Wisconsin, and the State Park System protects more than 790,000 acres of state lands and offers over 6,500 campsites and more than 2,000 miles of trails, according to the DNR’s history of the WSPS.

“And here’s the one thing most people don’t know — Wisconsin State Park and Forest 12-month admission pass revenues go directly to operations and maintenance of these properties,” DNR Secretary Karen Hyun said.

Gov. Tony Evers speaks at a press conference Thursday, June 11 about a new way to purchase state park passes, as Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers looks on. Rob Mentzer/WPR

The program is a joint effort of multiple teams across state agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, DNR and state IT teams.

Evers said he was glad to see the different departments collaborate to offer easy options for Wisconsinites.

“We’re not only streamlining the process and making it easier for Wisconsinites, but we’re also encouraging folks to get their park pass year after year, and as a result, that means consistent revenue coming into the state,” the governor said.

Winkler explained how the process functions. When it’s time to renew a Wisconsin registration, inside the application is an option to buy the 12-month parks vehicle admission pass. The renewal of the registration and the pass will be on one bill.

“Customers will receive one mailing with both the DNR state park pass vehicle registration stickers and your certificate of vehicle registration within about seven to 10 business days,” Winkler said.

WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said 3 million vehicle registrations happen online each year.

“There’s just one payment, one receipt showing both purchases, and just one mailing,” she said.

The governor’s announcement came just a day after the state’s Department of Tourism announced Wisconsin tourism numbers are up for the fourth year in a row — with over 117 million visits generating billions in economic activity.

One of the largest draws to Wisconsin for tourists was outdoor recreation, according to the tourism department’s figures.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said over 20 million visits are made each year across the state’s parks, trails and forests and other public areas.

In the DNR’s five-year plan for outdoor recreation from 2025 to 2030, the agency said 88 percent of Wisconsinites headed out to do something outdoors — hiking, swimming, fishing, picnicking — in 2024. Researchers found most people wanted to improve their mental and physical health by being outdoors and connecting to nature.

For the first time, Wisconsinites can buy state park passes at the DMV was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.