Skip to main content

Log in links for this page

Youth Group Bus Pass

Buy single-visit or ten-visit youth bus passes

Youth Groups Bus Passes are available for visits to DCR state parks or facilities by large school or youth groups consisting primarily of children under 18 and traveling in buses with a capacity of 16 or more people.  They may be used only Monday through Friday, subject to the availability of the recreation facility and during periods when parking fees are charged.

Single visit passes

Single-visit Youth bus passes are valid for one park visit on one date.  They may be used at any state park or facility that requires them; their use is not restricted to the park facility or region where issued. There is a $20.00 fee per bus for a Single-Visit Youth Bus Pass.

Ten visit passes

Ten-Visit Youth Bus Passes are valid for a total of 10 bus visits, up to ten different times.   Each bus in the group equals one bus visit. There is $125 fee for a Ten-Visit Youth Bus Pass.

Using your pass

  • Reservation must be made prior to arrival by contacting the park.
  • Groups must provide a counselor for every 10 youth participants.  Counselors must be at least 16 years of age.
  • The pass must be displayed on the inside of their windshield.  Photocopies of a pass are not valid. 
  • Buses not displaying a Youth Group Bus Pass may be ticketed and a fine imposed.

Small youth groups

Youth groups traveling by van (15-passenger or smaller) or personal vehicles are not eligible for a Youth Group Bus Pass. These vehicles should pay normal day-use parking fees.

Reservations

  • Groups planning to use a youth group bus pass must contact the park staff to make a reservation to visit a facility.
  • Parks may accept reservations beginning on March 1 and no later than seven days prior to use at the intended facility. Park supervisors may accept reservations less than seven days in advance, at their discretion. Requests for reservations are approved on a first-come, first-served basis.     
  • With a Ten-Visit Youth Group Bus Pass, a reservation must be made with each park to be visited no less than seven days prior to the use at the intended facility, and notice must be provided for the number of visitors.
  •  A maximum of five visits may be scheduled at one facility more than 14 days prior to arrival. The sixth visit or any additional visits to the same facility must be scheduled with the park no more than 14 days, and no fewer than seven days, prior to the arrival date.
  • The five-visit scheduling limitation applies to the youth group or organization, regardless of the number of passes purchased.  (Example: A Newton youth group may only schedule five visits to Walden Pond more than 14 days in advance, no matter how many passes they buy.  They may schedule five visits to Walden, five visits to Ashland, and five visits to Hopkinton, more than 14 days in advance).

Where to purchase youth group bus pass

Boston Region

Most of DCR’s Boston Region state parks and beaches do not charge parking fees and thus do not offer Youth Group Bus Passes. However, some recreational facilities in this region have limited locations where buses can park.   

Large youth groups traveling to the Boston Region state parks and beaches by bus should contact the park in advance to inquire about the availability of bus parking and, if it is offered, to make reservations

South Region

Youth Group Bus Passes are available for the South Region parks listed below.  To purchase a Youth Group Bus Pass for any of these parks, please send a completed application and payment to Myles Standish State Forest, P.O. Box 66, South Carver, MA 02366, or call 508-866-2526.  When returning the application, write “Youth Bus Pass Program” on the envelope so your application can be expedited.

North Region

Youth Group Bus Passes are available for the North Region parks listed below.  To purchase a Youth Group Bus Pass for any of these parks, please send a completed application and payment directly to the park.  You can use the link in the parks’ names shown below to get mailing addresses and phone numbers.  DCR’s North Region Headquarters does not issue passes, but may be able to answer questions at 978-937-2092.

Central Massachusetts Region

Youth Group Bus Passes are available for the Central Massachusetts Region parks listed below.   To purchase a Youth Bus Pass for any of these parks, please send a completed application and payment to the park directly.  You can use the link in the parks’ names shown below to obtain mailing addresses and phone numbers.  Passes also are available at the parks.


West Massachusetts Region

Youth Group Bus Passes are available for the West Region parks listed below.  To purchase a Youth Group Bus Pass for any of these parks, please send a completed application and payment to the West Regional Headquarters, 740 South Street, Pittsfield, MA 01202-1433, Attention Barbara Vivori, or call 413-442-8928 x 132. Please write “Youth Bus Pass Program” on the envelope of a mailed application, so it can be expedited.

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback