N.J. offers online purchase of annual passes to 47 state parks

New Jersey is the first state to offer the online purchase of annual park passes, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe announced.

Through a partnership with YourPassNow.com, state residents and non-residents can purchase a decal to affix to a windshield that will provide annual entrance to state parks, forest, and historic sites.

“Instead of driving to a park office to buy an annual pass or mailing an application, visitors can order an annual state parks decal online at their convenience and affix it to their vehicle’s windshield,” McCabe said. “Using this method will allow visitors to save transportation time and costs and help reduce fuel emissions.”

Visitors can order one or more passes, including discounted household passes, or as gifts for family and friends.

New Jersey has 47 state parks, forest, recreation areas, battlefields, and marinas, including the crown jewel of the system, Island Beach State Park, and camp sites at 19 locations.

Island Beach State Park was recently ranked as the country’s best state park by vacation site HomeToGo, beating out 17 other destinations stretching from Hawaii to the East Coast.

The site described the park as offering “white sand shores and blue waters” and “10 miles of undeveloped paradise.”