National Park Passes
With over 400 national park sites to discover, it can be hard to know where to start when planning a national park trip. A great first step is determining which national park pass is right for you.
Park entrance passes – also called America the Beautiful: National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes – cover the entrance fees at lands managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and US Fish & Wildlife Service, as well as standard amenity fees – or day use fees – at lands managed by the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Applications and orders for the passes are processed and distributed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
These interagency passes are non-refundable, non-transferable, and they cannot be extended if lost or stolen. When using a pass, the passholder must show a valid photo ID. Learn more about park passes at nps.gov.
Available for anyone older than 16, an Annual Pass covers the entrance fees or standard amenity day-use fees for the pass owner and accompanying passengers in a private vehicle. For areas that charge a per-person fee, a pass admits the passholder and three adults (over 16).
Military Annual Passes are free for current US military members and their dependents in the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, as well as Reserve and National Guard members. Documentation is required to prove eligibility.
US citizens or permanent residents ages 62 and over can purchase an Annual Senior Pass. The pass may also provide discounts on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services but does NOT cover or reduce special permit fees or fees charged by concessioners. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship. Lifetime Senior Passes are also available.
Valid for the duration of the 4th grader’s school year through the following summer (September – August), the 4th Grade Pass is available to US 4th graders, including home-schooled and free-choice learnings 10 years of age. Note: acquiring this pass requires a different process than most. Check out the Every Kid Outdoors website and follow their instructions.
Volunteers who have logged 250 service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program are eligible for a free annual Volunteer Pass. Volunteers interested should contact their volunteer coordinator for more information.
Available for Gold Star Families, with a valid Gold Star Family Voucher, as well as US military veterans with a valid, veteran ID, the Military Lifetime Pass is free. Documentation is required to prove eligibility.
US citizens or permanent residents ages 62 and over can purchase a Lifetime Senior Pass. The pass may also provide discounts on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services but does NOT cover or reduce special permit fees or fees charged by concessioners. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship. Annual Senior Passes are also available.
The Access Pass is a free lifetime pass for US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. The pass may also provide discounts on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services but does NOT cover or reduce special permit fees or fees charged by concessioners. Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship.
Many federal recreation sites offer visitors the opportunity to purchase passes. If you’re planning on getting a pass at the park, check a list of sites where they’re offered in advance to ensure passes are available there. We do recommend calling in advance to confirm passes are in stock.
Members of the National Park Foundation’s Champions Society receive a complimentary Annual Pass, along with other exciting membership benefits. To comply with IRS requirements, gifts made from donor-advised funds, through a family foundation, or as an IRA distribution are not eligible for this benefit.
If you’re planning on traveling more than two weeks in advance, you can purchase park passes through the USGS online store. USGS will then mail you a physical pass. Processing time for online and mailed applications can take several weeks Note: there may be processing fees for free passes purchased through the USGS online store.
Have questions about which pass is right for you? Visit nps.gov or the USGS store for more information on each pass. The USGS also has a FAQ page detailing frequently asked questions around each pass, such as eligibility requirements, required documentation, usage permissions, and more. Contact USGS directly by calling 1-888-275-8747 (ext. 3), or emailing [email protected].