Let’s talk National Park passes.
There are a surprising number of passes to national parks available. In this guide, we’ll look at all the different US national parks passes so you can see which one is best for you.
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Table of Contents
Regular National Parks Fees and Passes
Most National Parks charge around $35 per vehicle for 7 days entry – though this is a just a general statement – always check with the individual park before you go, as this does vary. A few parks are free to enter – like Great Smoky Mountains National Park (though they charge a fee to park).
One of the painful things about entering popular parks is waiting in line to get in. But, you can actually pay the entrance fee for many parks online on the NPS’s booking website recreation.gov before you go and then go into an express line and get into the park much more quickly!
The America The Beautiful Pass
And, if you’re going to more than a couple of parks in a year, it can often make sense to buy an America The Beautiful Pass before you go.
This pass covers all occupants in a personal vehicle at per-vehicle fee sites or up to 4 adults at sites that charge per person (kids 15 and under get in free). In addition to all NPS sites, it’s also honored at sites managed by the Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers. That’s over 2,000 sites!
It cost $79.99 and is valid for 1 year from the month of purchase.
You can get an America The Beautiful Pass here
National Parks Passes for Veterans and Military Members
If you’re a current military member, a veteran or a member of a Gold Star family, the United States government thanks you for your service and sacrifice by granting free access to all these 2,000+ federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. You can learn more about this program here.
National Parks Passes for Seniors
There are also America The Beautiful passes (annual and lifetime) available for seniors. The annual pass is just $20 and the lifetime senior pass is currently $80. The Senior Annual Pass and Senior Lifetime Pass are for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or older.
National Parks Passes for Disabled Persons
There’s an Access Pass which gives free, lifetime access to all these properties to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have been medically determined to have a permanent disability (does not have to be a 100% disability).
Passes for Fourth Graders
Yes, this may seem random, but fourth graders are eligible for free national parks passes. Every Kid Outdoors is an official government program for 4th graders (or home school equivalent) that gives them free entry to hundreds of federal properties, including the national parks.
Kids fill out an online diary entry with things they’d like to see and do (it produces a fun diary entry) and then print out their pass and take it with them. The pass is from September 1 – August 31.
Although it’s officially for fourth graders, if you visit a site that charges entrance fees per person, the pass admits all children under 16 and up to three adults for free. If your group visits a site that charges vehicle entrance fees, the pass admits all children under 16 and all adults in up to one passenger vehicle. Commercial vehicles can’t use a pass to get in.
Did you find the right pass? Are there are any other types of passes for national parks that I missed? Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).
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Are you just starting to think about taking a National Parks trip? Get Inspiration
Are you starting to plan a trip to a national park? Read my free guides
Are you ready to book your trip? Use these Planning and Booking Resources
Do you want to read a book about US national parks? Check out my Recommended Reading Lists
About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
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