Make your outdoor treks a walk in the park

What’s an Adventure Pass?

If you visit Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres or San Bernardino national forests, you may need to buy an Adventure Pass, which costs $5 per day for a hang-tag pass for your car, or $30 for an annual pass. The passes are required because the four Southland forests are considered High Impact Recreation Areas, popular with outdoor enthusiasts.

Do I need a pass to drive through the forest?

You won’t need a pass just to drive through the forest, but if you stop to picnic or hike, you may. You can buy the passes at Forest Service offices and from vendors in the area.

How do I know if I need one?

Brown and white signs are posted: “Welcome: Entering National Forest Recreational Fee Site.” You don’t need a pass if you’re visiting mountain communities such as Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead or if you’re on private property or have paid a fee to camp in a campground or ski at a resort. For more details, check www.fs.fed .us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/ welcome.shtml.

Can I use my Golden Eagle, Golden Passport or Golden Access pass instead of an Adventure Pass?

The Golden Passport program was replaced last year by the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass program. New passes, which are good throughout the national park system, cover most of the same benefits as the Golden Passport program and can be used in place of the Adventure Pass, which is good only at local recreation areas. America the Beautiful passes cost $88; a $10 pass is available for seniors; and a free pass is offered for permanently disabled visitors.

What other parks programs have changed?

There’s a new website for reservations at federal parks or recreation areas: www.recreation.gov. The old sites, including www.reserveusa.com, have been phased out.

Who governs the parks -- for instance, can a park ranger give you a ticket for speeding?

When you’re in a national park you’re under federal jurisdiction, and a ranger does have law enforcement capacity. “Rules are posted at park visitor centers or entrances, and if those are violated, sure, you can get a ticket,” said parks spokeswoman Holly Bundock. “But frankly, that’s the last resort. A ranger’s first effort is to educate. We want people to have a good time in parks, to learn things and have fun.”