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A vehicle permit is required to enter every Kansas State Park; the fee is per vehicle, not per passenger. Through October 31, 2026, an annual vehicle permit is $25 and a daily permit is $5. KDWP’s posted prices increase on November 1, 2026. Overnight stays also require a separate camping permit, charged per camping unit. Here are the rates, eligibility rules and purchase options.
When do the Kansas state park fee changes take effect?
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) lists one fee schedule through October 31, 2026, and a new schedule beginning November 1, 2026. The prices below include transaction fees. Do not treat the November rates as current before their effective date. KDWP’s official fee schedule gives the prices and conditions.
How much is a Kansas State Park vehicle permit?
A valid State Park Vehicle Permit is required at all Kansas State Parks. It covers entry for the vehicle, rather than charging each person inside it. The options differ by duration, eligibility and how the permit is purchased:
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →| Vehicle permit | Through Oct. 31, 2026 | Beginning Nov. 1, 2026 | Validity and conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual vehicle permit | $25.00 | $39.00 | Unlimited entry to all Kansas State Parks during the calendar year for which purchased. |
| Annual senior/disabled vehicle permit | $13.75 | $20.25 | For qualifying Kansas residents age 65+ or people with qualifying disability documentation. Purchase through a KDWP office or vendor, not through the Passport program. |
| Kansas State Parks Passport | $15.50 | $30.50 | Available only during Kansas vehicle registration; expires with that registration and is non-transferable. |
| Daily vehicle permit | $5.00 | $7.00 | One day at the specific park; KDWP lists sale through that park’s office. |
| Daily senior/disabled permit | $3.25 | $4.25 | One day at the specific park, subject to the reduced-rate eligibility rules. |
| Replacement permit | $2.50 | $2.50 | A duplicate can be obtained at a State Park office. |
| UTV/golf cart unconventional vehicle permit | $52.50 | $52.50 | Required for UTVs and golf carts; use is restricted to improved roads and parking areas. |
Annual permit or Passport?
These are not interchangeable versions of an “annual” pass. The annual vehicle permit covers a calendar year. The Passport is purchased only during the vehicle registration process and expires when that registration expires, so its period of use depends on the vehicle’s registration cycle. A Passport must be permanently attached to the registered vehicle and cannot be transferred to another vehicle owner. Out-of-state registered vehicles are not eligible for the Kansas registration-linked Passport. KDWP’s Passport information explains eligibility and purchase conditions.
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Where can you buy an entry permit?
- Passport: Request it through Kansas vehicle registration channels, such as the county treasurer. It is not sold through KDWP offices.
- Daily permit: KDWP lists the specific park office as the sale point. Check with the destination park for its current purchase arrangements before traveling.
- Annual and reduced-rate permits: KDWP offices or authorized vendors; confirm current issuance options with KDWP.
If a Passport is lost or a windshield is replaced, KDWP says a duplicate is available from a State Park office for $2.50.
Do you need a separate permit to camp?
Yes. The vehicle permit covers entry, not an overnight stay. Each camping unit needs a valid camping permit for each night, and a $2.75 processing fee applies per camping stay. Camping permits expire at 2 p.m. The fees below distinguish the camping permit from utility hookups and site surcharges:
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| Camping item | Through Oct. 31, 2026 | Beginning Nov. 1, 2026 | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily camping permit | $12.75/night | $17.75/night | Required for each camping unit, each night. |
| Youth camping permit | $4.00/night | $4.00/night | Per camping unit. |
| Prime-site fee | $2.00/night | $2.00/night | Additional charge for designated sites during April 1–September 30; sites vary by park. |
| One utility | $9.00/night | $11.00/night | Utility hookup only; the camping permit is additional. |
| Two utilities | $11.00/night | $13.00/night | Utility hookup only. |
| Three utilities | $12.00/night | $15.00/night | Utility hookup only. |
| Designated overflow camping | $6.50/night | $6.50/night | KDWP-listed overflow price. |
| Annual camping permit | $202.50 before April or after Sept. 30; $252.50 April 1–Sept. 30 | No longer offered | For its calendar year, covers daily camping permit fees, not utilities or prime-site fees. |
| 14-night permit | $112.50 | $165.50 | Covers 14 daily camping permit fees in the calendar year; nights need not be consecutive. Utilities and prime-site fees are additional. |
For campsite or cabin reservations and park-specific charges, use KDWP’s reservation information and CampItKS. The annual camping permit is listed only through October 31, 2026; KDWP’s new schedule removes it starting November 1. See the fee schedule.
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Other camping rules to check
- You must be at least 18 to rent a campsite or cabin.
- Camping is allowed only in designated locations.
- The usual limit is 14 consecutive days in one campground. A park manager may grant a one-time 14-day extension in writing; a five-day absence is required before returning to the same campground.
- Holiday-weekend reservations may require a minimum stay.
Who qualifies for a discount or special permit?
Kansas residents age 65 or older
Kansas residents 65 and older can buy the reduced senior/disabled vehicle permit. It is available through a KDWP office or vendor, not through the Parks Passport.
People with disabilities
For reduced vehicle permit rates, KDWP says a special license plate or placard issued under state law must be displayed. This is not a general free-entry waiver, and the reduced rate is not offered through the Passport. KDWP regulations separately say a Kansas resident with a permanent handicapped identification placard or wheelchair license plate may, on request, receive an annual handicapped persons special motor vehicle permit for a vehicle titled to that resident. This separate permit is limited to the stated eligibility. KDWP’s state park regulations describe the special permit.
Active Kansas National Guard members
Active Kansas National Guard members may apply for a state park vehicle permit using KDWP’s application. It requires proof of Kansas residence and current vehicle registration, allows one park permit per applicant, and says issuance depends on available funds. It is not an automatic waiver for all military members or veterans. KDWP’s fee information links to the application details.
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Is there a free entrance day?
KDWP’s fee page lists a 2026 free State Park Entrance Day on April 22 and says camping fees still apply. That date has passed. The official information cited here does not establish another future free entrance date.
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