National Park Pass Comparison: Which is Right for You? Save hundreds on park entry! Compare all national park pass options and find the best value for your travel style. ## Pass Options Overview ### 1. America the Beautiful Annual Pass - $80 What You Get: - Unlimited entry to ALL federal recreation sites - 2,000+ sites included - Valid for 12 months from purchase - Covers everyone in personal vehicle Sites Included: - All 63 National Parks - National Monuments - National Forests - BLM lands - National Wildlife Refuges - Many more federal sites Best For: - Anyone visiting 4+ parks per year - Road trippers - Outdoor enthusiasts - Full-time travelers ROI: Breaks even at just 4 park visits! --- ### 2. Senior Pass (62+) - $80 Lifetime or $20 Annual What You Get: - Same access as Annual Pass - LIFETIME option for one-time $80 - 50% discount on camping fees - 50% off amenity fees (boat launches, etc.) Requirements: - Age 62 or older - US citizen or permanent resident - Show ID at purchase Best For: Anyone 62+ who visits parks regularly Why It's Amazing: - $80 ONCE = lifetime access - Camping discounts save hundreds - Best pass value available --- ### 3. Access Pass (Permanent Disability) - FREE What You Get: - FREE lifetime pass - Same benefits as Senior Pass - 50% camping & amenity discounts Requirements: - Permanent disability - Eligible for federal benefits - Documentation required Best For: Anyone eligible - incredible benefit --- ### 4. Military Pass - FREE What You Get: - FREE annual pass - Covers everyone in vehicle - Same parks as other passes Who Qualifies: - Active duty military - Reserves - Veterans (with VA card) - Gold Star families Where to Get: Show military ID at any park entrance --- ### 5. 4th Grade Pass - FREE What You Get: - FREE annual pass for 4th graders - Covers everyone in vehicle - Every Kid Outdoors program Requirements: - Must be in 4th grade - Get voucher online - Exchange at park entrance Best For: Families with 4th graders (HUGE savings!) --- ### 6. Volunteer Pass - FREE What You Get: - FREE annual pass - Earn ed through volunteering Requirements: - 250+ hours of volunteer service - At participating federal sites - Document your hours Best For: Regular park volunteers --- ## Pass Comparison Chart | Pass | Cost | Duration | Camping Discount | Best For | |------|------|----------|------------------|----------| | Annual | $80 | 12 months | No | Most visitors | | Senior (Lifetime) | $80 | Lifetime | 50% | Age 62+ | | Senior (Annual) | $20 | 12 months | 50% | Age 62+ | | Access | FREE | Lifetime | 50% | Disability | | Military | FREE | 12 months | No | Military | | 4th Grade | FREE | 12 months | No | 4th graders | --- ## ROI Calculations ### Example: Family Road Trip Scenario: Visiting 6 parks in one summer Without Pass: - $30 per park entrance × 6 = $180 - With Annual Pass: $80 - Savings: $100 ### Example: Senior Couple Scenario: Visiting parks 5-10 times per year for 10 years Without Pass: - $30 × 10 visits × 10 years = $3,000 - Plus camping: $25/night × 20 nights × 10 years = $5,000 - Total: $8,000 With Senior Lifetime Pass ($80): - Entry: $80 (lifetime) - Camping: $2,500 (50% discount) - Total: $2,580 - Savings: $5,420 over 10 years! --- ## Which Parks Accept Passes? ### ALL National Parks (63 total) - Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon - Zion, Arches, Glacier - Great Smoky Mountains - All others ### National Monuments - Devils Tower, Muir Woods - White Sands, etc. ### National Recreation Areas - Lake Mead, Glen Canyon - Golden Gate NRA ### NOT Included - State parks (separate system) - Most city parks - Private campgrounds - Some special park programs --- ## Free Entry Days (No Pass Needed!) The National Park Service offers FREE entry on these dates in 2026: - January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - April 19 - First Day of National Park Week - August 4 - Anniversary of Great American Outdoors Act - September 26 - National Public Lands Day - November 11 - Veterans Day Note: Free entry only (camping/tours still cost) --- ## Where to Buy Passes ### In Person - Any staffed park entrance - Many REI stores - USGS stores ### Online - Recreation.gov - Ships to you (processing time) ### Pro Tip Buy in person when visiting first park of trip - use it immediately! --- ## Pass Rules & Tips ### Who's Covered Personal Vehicle: - Driver + all passengers - Up to a full van/car Motorcycles: - Rider + passenger Walk-in/Bike-in: - Pass holder + 3 adults - Kids under 16: FREE (always) ### Pass Validity - Valid 12 months from purchase month (Annual passes) - Check expiration date on back - Can be used at different parks on same day ### Sharing - Cannot lend to friends for their trip - Can share with family in same vehicle - Photo/signature on back (some passes) --- ## Special Considerations ### Camping Discounts Senior & Access Passes Only: - 50% off developed campground fees - Does NOT apply to: - Reservations (recreation.gov fees) - Utilities (electric/water hookups) - Group sites - Private campgrounds ### Upgrades - Upgrade from Annual to Senior when you turn 62 - No refunds on Annual if you buy Senior later ### Lost/Damaged - Some passes replaceable with receipt - Others: Must buy new pass - Keep receipt! --- ## Bottom Line Recommendations Visit 4+ parks per year? → Buy Annual Pass ($80) Age 62+? → Buy Senior Lifetime Pass ($80) - Best value! Active military/veteran? → Get FREE Military Pass Have 4th grader? → Get FREE 4th Grade Pass (covers whole family!) Only visiting 1-2 parks? → Pay per entry ($30-35 each) Full-time traveler? → Annual Pass essential ($80) --- Find all 63 national parks in our directory and plan your trip today!