Scan and Pay: Digital payment option added at many national forest trailheads, campgrounds

This summer, hikers visiting trails on U.S. Forest Service land will see a new way to pay for day use passes at trailheads that require them. Using a feature called Scan and Pay in the recreation.gov app, hikers will be able to scan a QR code and pay for a day pass right at the trailhead.

A hiker scans a QR code using Scan and Pay at a campground on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service.

This is a new option for hikers who don't have the correct pass, or who arrive at a trailhead and realize a day pass is required. Note that Scan and Pay is not in addition to the Northwest Forest Pass or an America the Beautiful Interagency Pass. It is simply another way to purchase the one-time day use pass required at many Forest Service sites. Northwest Forest Pass holders do not need to use Scan and Pay at Forest Service trailheads. Do note, however, some Forest Service sites will use Scan and Pay for campsite fees.

We recommend getting a Northwest Forest Pass. It is fast, efficient, and no app is needed. If you hike more than six times a year on National Forest land, the pass pays for itself.

• Pro Tip
• Buy your Northwest Forest Passes or day use passes from vendors in your community. That means gas stations, outdoor stores or visitor centers near the forest you're recreating in. Dollars from those passes go right back into the community you bought them in.
  More information about passes and permits required in Washington.

Each forest is managing the transition to Scan and Pay differently. We'll break that down below. Generally speaking, hikers should know the following if they want to use Scan and Pay:

• Download the recreation.gov app and log in before you head out for your hike. You can use Scan and Pay offline, but you need internet to get the app. 
• Have a pen and piece of paper with you. After paying via the app, hikers receive a confirmation code they need to write on a slip of paper and place on their dashboard to show they have paid.
• Card charges: The charge via Scan and Pay will go onto the credit card you have in your recreation.gov account. Users have experienced two different ways the charges process. Some saw it go through once they returned to service; others didn't see the charge until they reopened the app.

The rollout is gradual, so you may not see Scan and Pay signs everywhere right away. Scan and Pay codes will be only at trailheads that currently require a day pass. They will not be placed at trailheads that do not require a fee.

Colville National Forest

The Colville National Forest will only use Scan and Pay for their first-come first-served campgrounds, but they will not implement it until January 2026.

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

• Hikers will see QR codes at trailheads at trailheads and day use that require fees, as well as at first-come, first-servced campgrounds.
• Visitors to this forest will scan the QR code, then search for the name of the trailhead, trail or campground they're paying for before getting their confirmation code.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

• Scan and Pay is up currently for trailheads that require fees.
• First-come, first-served campgrounds on the forest are also using it.

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

• Scan and Pay will be rolled out at trailheads starting in mid-June 2025.
• This forest will not use Scan and Pay for their campgrounds, which are managed by a concessionaire and do require a separate fee.

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

• Trailheads on all 6 districts are going cashless and rolling out Scan and Pay starting Memorial Day weekend.
• The majority of first come, first served campgrounds, including those operated by concessionaires, are going cashless starting Memorial Day weekend.
• The remaining first come, first served campgrounds are expected to be on Scan and Pay by June.

Olympic National Forest

• This forest is transitioning to primarily cashless payment as of April 2025 (press release)
• Scan and Pay is up currently for trailheads that require day passes.
• All first-come, first-served campgrounds are using Scan and Pay, except the list included in the press release linked above.
• The campgrounds listed in the press release have automated fee stations and are still cashless.