ROCKS Access PROGRAM
The ROCKS ACCESS PROGRAM provides reduced price admission for hiking and season passes for eligible guests when funding is available (check the program status below for current availability).
To receive the ROCKS ACCESS PROGRAM admission rate a guest must present both a:
- New York State Common Benefit Identification Card (CBIC) or Pennsylvania ACCESS Card with their name on it; AND a
- Valid government-issued photo ID with their picture and name matching the benefit card.
For each eligible guest, the ROCKS ACCESS PROGRAM applies reduced-rate admission for up to:
- TWO Adults (age 18+)
- EIGHT Youth (Age 6-17)
- Age 5 & under are FREE!
The ROCKS ACCESS PROGRAM is CURRENTLY AVAILABLE at the following rates:
- ROCKS ACCESS DAY PASS: $5 PER PERSON (Valid for the Day)
- ROCKS ACCESS SEASON PASS: $9 PER PERSON (Valid for the Season)
To receive the ROCKS ACCESS PROGRAM reduced price admission rate please ask for it when you arrive at the park office and present your qualifying documentation. Our staff will not ask whether guests qualify nor make assumptions about eligibility or personal financial situations.
FREQUENTLY ASKED Questions
Why does the ROCKS ACCESS PROGRAM exist?: We want Panama Rocks to be an affordable option for lower-income individuals and families in our community.
Why isn't Panama Rocks free?: Panama Rocks has been privately owned and operated as a park since 1886 without State assistance. Operating Panama Rocks incurs significant expenses (insurance, payroll, maintenance, grounds, taxes, etc.) totaling over $277,000 in 2025. Historically, we have kept our admission fees in line with inflation to ensure that admission to Panama Rocks remains as affordable as possible while enabling us to pay our bills and remain open year after year. The ROCKS ACCESS PROGRAM is our attempt to help make Panama Rocks more affordable for our community.
Why might the ROCKS ACCESS PROGRAM not be available?: We fund the ROCKS ACCESS PROGRAM from the park's operating budget. We intend to offer this program as long as we can afford to do so and as long as the program is not abused. The status of the program will be listed on this page - please check that status on the day of your visit before departing for Panama Rocks.
Why do I have to have a State benefit card to qualify?: The ROCKS ACCESS PROGRAM is intended to help make Panama Rocks more affordable for lower-income individuals and families. We understand that many people in our community who are struggling financially may not qualify for a State benefit card; however, in order to make this program work our staff needs a quick and easy way to determine eligibility. The requirements for eligibility that we use are the same requirements used by the ASI All Access Pass and the Museums for All program. We understand that this method is flawed but we are attempting to do the best we can with the resources available to us at this time. We are open to suggestions on how to improve as long as they allow us to quickly, easily, and fairly determine eligibility.
What form of payments do you accept? Panama Rocks accepts cash, credit, debit, and tap-to-pay. While we use State benefit cards to determine eligibility for the ROCKS ACCESS PROGRAM, they cannot be used as a form of payment at Panama Rocks.
Can I receive a refund if I qualify for the ROCKS ACCESS PROGRAM but I already purchased a season pass or regular admission? We can refund purchases made on the same day, but we cannot refund season passes or admission purchased prior to that.
Do I need to show my documentation every visit? You only need to show your documentation when making a purchase to receive the ROCKS Access Program discounted rate. If you purchase a Season Pass with your discount, you do not need to provide additional documentation to use your Season Pass unless you wish to make an additional purchase with the ROCKS ACCESS PROGRAM.
Is transportation to Panama Rocks available? There are limited public transportation options available in rural Chautauqua County, but Panama Rocks is accessible through the Chautauqua Area Regional Transit System.
