Save Money With The America the Beautiful Pass
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
If you’re planning a trip to any National Parks this year, the America the Beautiful Pass is worth a closer look. This annual pass covers entry to more than 2,000 federally managed sites, including all National Parks, for one flat rate.
Depending on where you’re headed and how many parks you plan to visit, this pass can quickly pay for itself. Whether you’re mapping out a big family trip to Zion or just hoping to hit a few local sites, it’s a smart option for frequent travelers.
Here’s what the pass includes, how it works, and how to decide if it makes sense for your next adventure.
What Is the America The Beautiful Pass?
The America the Beautiful Pass is an annual pass that allows you to enter every U.S. national park and other federally managed recreation areas. It is also often referred to as the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass or Interagency Annual Pass.
What does the America the Beautiful Pass Cover?
The America the Beautiful Pass gives pass holders access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by five Federal agencies:
- The Forest Service
- The National Park Service
- Fish and Wildlife Service
- Bureau of Land Management
- Bureau of Reclamation
It’s also accepted by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The annual pass is accepted at any park or recreation site where entrance or amenity fees are charged.
The pass covers park fees for the pass holder and up to three accompanying adults (ages 16 and older) in the same vehicle.
National Parks Costs
Entrance and other fees depend on the specific park. Some parks offer park-specific annual passes. You can also pay by vehicle, per person, or motorcycle.
You’ll pay a separate fee at each park you visit. Zion National Park charges $35 per vehicle for a seven-day pass, and a single Utah loop that adds Bryce Canyon and Arches puts you past $100 before you’ve paid for a campsite or a shuttle ticket.
Here’s a look at fees charged by popular national parks:
| Park-Specific Annual Pass | Per Vehicle | Per Person (No vehicle) | Per Motorcycle |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badlands National Park | $55 | $30 | $15 | $25 |
| Bryce Canyon National Park | $70 | $35 | $20 | $30 |
| Cape Cod National Seashore | $60 | $25 | $15 | $20 |
| Death Valley National Park | $55 | $30 | $15 | $25 |
| Grand Canyon National Park | $70 | $35 | $20 | $30 |
| Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park | $55 | $30 | $15 | $25 |
| Olympic National Park | $55 | $30 | $15 | $25 |
| Rocky Mountain National Park | $70 | $30 | $15 | $30 |
| Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore | $45 | $25 | $25 | $20 |
| Yellowstone National Park | $70 | $35 | $20 | $30 |
| Zion National Park | $70 | $35 | $20 | $30 |
How Much is the America the Beautiful Pass?
The America the Beautiful Pass costs $80 per person annually. Passes are available for individuals ages 16 and older. Children ages 16 and under enter all national parks for free.
Each America the Beautiful Pass can have up to two owners (who don’t have to be related).
Where Can You Buy the America the Beautiful National Park Pass?
You can buy the America the Beautiful Pass in person at sites across the country. Check out this searchable list for more information on which sites offer passes for sale. Before traveling to a site, it’s always a good idea to call ahead and verify that they are selling passes.
You can also purchase the annual pass online through the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
How To Get A National Park Pass For Free
Free or discount National Park passes are available for select individuals. Use this link to see what sites offer each of the following passes.
Military Pass
You may qualify for a free Military Pass, available for current US military members and their dependents in the:
- Army
- Navy
- Air Force
- Marines
- Coast Guard
- Space Force
- Reserve members
- National Guard members
- US military veterans
- Gold Star Family members
Access Pass
The Access Pass is a lifetime pass available for US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.
During the application process, you’ll need to provide documentation of your permanent disability and proof of citizenship or residency. The Access Pass also offers up to 50% off select amenity charges, including camping, swimming, boat launching, and specialized interpretive services.
Senior Pass
Individuals aged 62 and older qualify for a senior annual pass discount. You can purchase a Lifetime Senior Pass for $80 or an Annual Senior Pass for $20.
Volunteer Pass
Individuals who compile 250 volunteer service hours with participating federal agencies qualify for a free annual Volunteer Pass.
4th Grade Pass
4th graders in the U.S. qualify for a free 4th Grade Pass, which is valid from the beginning of their 4th-grade school year to the end of the following summer (September to August). Homeschool attendees and other learners ages ten years or older are also eligible for the free pass (with a valid Every Kid Outdoors paper pass).
Free Days At National Parks
There are seven designated free days at national parks in 2026:
- February 16: Presidents Day (Washington’s Birthday)
- May 25: Memorial Day
- June 14: Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday
- July 3–5: Independence Day weekend
- August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service
- September 17: Constitution Day
- October 27: Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday
- November 11: Veterans Day
Here’s a list of participating parks.
Should You Get An America the Beautiful Pass?
Buying annual passes makes sense if you plan to visit several national parks within the next 12 months. If you plan to visit three or more sites this year, the passes will pay for themselves. If not, it’s probably not worth it.
Before you buy, check whether the parks on your list charge an entrance fee at all. Only about 100 of the 400-plus sites in the National Park System do. Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio, Congaree in South Carolina, and Redwood in California are all free to enter year-round, so a trip built around parks like those won’t get you to the break-even point.
National parks have become more popular destinations for families, couples, and other visitors in the past couple of years. However, some parks limit the number of guests who can enter daily, so it’s not guaranteed that your family will have the option to visit every park you plan to visit.
If you love the outdoors and want a relatively inexpensive way to explore the United States, the America the Beautiful Pass is a great option.
America the Beautiful Pass FAQs
Does the America the Beautiful Pass get you into every national park?
The America the Beautiful Pass gives you access to every national park and over 2,000 Federal recreation sites across the country.
Can kids Enter the national parks for free?
Kids ages 16 and under are free at all national parks.
Does the America the Beautiful Pass get you into state parks?
No, the America the Beautiful Pass is only valid at participating Federal recreation sites.
How much is The America the Beautiful lifetime pass?
There is no lifetime version of the America the Beautiful Pass. The only lifetime passes available are the Lifetime Senior Pass and the Access Pass, which are designed for individuals with permanent disabilities.
Does the America the Beautiful Pass work in national forests?
Yes, the America the Beautiful Pass is valid at National Forest sites. It also includes all the benefits of the Northwest Forest Pass.
What is the America the Beautiful Senior Pass?
Eligible individuals ages 62 and older can purchase a National Parks Lifetime Senior Pass for $80 or an annual Senior Pass for $20.
