New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

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The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation manages New York’s system of state parks, historic sites, campgrounds, trails, golf courses, and related recreational facilities. Charges typically relate to park entrance fees, camping or marina reservations, permits, or passes such as the Empire Pass.

Albany, New York, USA
parks.ny.gov
Owned by State of New York

About New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (often referred to as New York State Parks) is the state agency responsible for operating and maintaining more than 250 state parks, historic sites, recreational trails, campgrounds, golf courses, marinas, and boat launches across New York. The agency provides affordable outdoor recreation, nature and historic education, and facility rentals for individuals, families, and groups throughout the state.([staffportal.parks.ny.gov](https://staffportal.parks.ny.gov/newsroom/?utm_source=openai))

A charge labeled something like “RAO NY STATE PARKS” on a card statement is most likely associated with this agency and may reflect a vehicle entrance fee, camping reservation, cabin or cottage rental, golf fee, marina slip, Empire Pass purchase or renewal, special-use permit, or related transaction processed through their online reservation/commerce systems (such as shop.parks.ny.gov) or at a park facility. Charges can be one-time (for a day-use visit or single reservation) or occasional/seasonal (for annual passes or multi-night camping bookings).([shop.parks.ny.gov](https://shop.parks.ny.gov/?utm_source=openai))

If you have questions about a New York State Parks charge, start by checking recent reservations, day-use visits, pass purchases, or permits you or a family member may have made, including online bookings and phone reservations made with a credit card. You can review confirmation emails from parks.ny.gov or shop.parks.ny.gov and compare the date and amount. If you still cannot identify the charge, contact New York State Parks through the contact information on their website or on your reservation confirmation, providing the date, amount, and last four digits of the card so staff can look up the transaction. Because this is a state agency, disputes can also be raised with your card issuer, but it is usually faster to resolve questions directly with the parks office that processed the payment or with the central customer service team in Albany.([parks.ny.gov](https://parks.ny.gov/?lv=true&utm_source=openai))

Bank Statement Variations

1 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

  1. RAO NY STATE PARKS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a “RAO NY STATE PARKS” charge on my card usually mean?

A “RAO NY STATE PARKS” or similar descriptor typically indicates a payment to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for something like a state park entrance fee, camping or cabin reservation, Empire Pass, golf or marina fee, or a permit processed through their systems. Check recent park visits or reservations around that date.

Could this NY State Parks charge be for an Empire Pass or other admission product?

Yes. New York State Parks sells admission products like the Empire Pass, which provides unlimited day-use vehicle entry to most state parks and recreational facilities. Empire Passes and similar products purchased online or at a park office can appear as a New York State Parks charge on your statement.([parks.ny.gov](https://parks.ny.gov/visit/passes/empire-pass/faq?utm_source=openai))

How can I confirm exactly which reservation or pass my NY State Parks charge is for?

Search your email (including spam folders) for confirmations from addresses ending in @parks.ny.gov or receipts from shop.parks.ny.gov. These emails list the park or facility name, dates, and amounts. You can also log into your NY State Parks reservation account, if you created one, and review your past reservations and purchases.([shop.parks.ny.gov](https://shop.parks.ny.gov/?utm_source=openai))

How do I request a refund or change for a New York State Parks reservation that I see as a charge on my card?

Refunds and changes are governed by New York State Parks’ reservation and cancellation policies. Visit parks.ny.gov or the reservation portal you used, review the posted policies, and then either modify/cancel online (if allowed) or contact the park office or reservation call center directly with your confirmation number and payment details. Fees or deadlines may apply to cancellations and changes.([ny.gov](https://www.ny.gov/services/find-campground-0?utm_source=openai))

Why do I see multiple small NY State Parks charges instead of one larger amount?

You may see multiple smaller charges if you booked several nights at different parks, added permits or services separately, or made multiple day-use visits that each carried a vehicle entrance fee. Some fees, such as reservation fees and nightly camping charges, may also be itemized as separate transactions rather than combined into a single total.([ny.gov](https://www.ny.gov/services/find-campground-0?utm_source=openai))

Can New York State Parks place temporary authorization holds on my card?

In some cases, especially when making or modifying reservations online or by phone, the payment system may place a temporary authorization hold to verify your card. These holds usually drop off automatically if the transaction is voided or adjusted, leaving only the final settled charge. If a hold remains after several business days, contact your card issuer and, if needed, New York State Parks customer service.

How can I contact someone about an unfamiliar NY State Parks charge?

Go to parks.ny.gov and use the contact information provided there—either the general contact form, regional office contacts, or the specific park’s page—to reach staff. Provide your name, the date and amount of the charge, and the last four digits of your card. For issues related to online store items or gift cards, you can reference order numbers from shop.parks.ny.gov.([parks.ny.gov](https://parks.ny.gov/?lv=true&utm_source=openai))

Could a family member’s camping trip or pass purchase cause a NY State Parks charge on my card?

Yes. If a spouse, child, or other authorized user on your card used it to reserve a campsite, cabin, or buy an Empire Pass or other park product, the charge would appear under New York State Parks. Check with anyone who may have access to your card details and ask if they recently booked a park stay or purchased a pass.

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