7 Amazing National Park Pass Options

The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass allows your vehicle entrance into over 2,000 federal sites within the United States! Furthermore, there are a few different National Park Pass Options to choose from to save you and your family some money and additional fees. We are going to discuss the options and after that, we’ll tell you how to purchase any of the passes.

First of all, entrance fees into major National Parks can cost families $35.00 or more. However, with the America the Beautiful National Park Pass, you can get into all of them for much, much less! Most noteworthy, up to 100% of the Pass Program’s proceeds are used to improve the recreational services, as a result, this keeps the National Parks looking their best.

 

How the National Park Pass Options Work

Firstly, when you sign up or purchase an America the Beautiful National Park Pass, the pass will be mailed directly to you. Secondly, the pass can then be easily displayed with a provided hang-tag that the card fits inside. Moreover, you can obtain a decal if you are driving a motorcycle.

In short, the America the Beautiful Pass will save your family money, meanwhile, allowing you into most National Parks for free, and most importantly, helps to keep our National Parks looking beautiful!

 

National Park Passes Operate Under 6 Federal Agencies

There are 6 different Federal Agencies that operate under different regulations with these National Park Passes, however, they tend to charge different fees in general. Therefore, be sure to check out the one that applies to where you will be visiting for more detailed information regarding benefits with your specific pass. Here are those 6 Federal Agencies:

1. National Park Service
2. US Army Corps of Engineers
3. Fish and Wildlife Service
4. Bureau of Land Management
5. Bureau of Reclamation
6. USDA Forest Service

 

 

7 Amazing National Park Pass Options*

1. Annual Pass
2. Annual 4^thGrade Pass
3. Senior Pass
4. Access Pass
5. Volunteer Pass
6. U.S. Military Pass
7. Northwest Forest Pass

*All National Park Pass Options listed are only valid at participating Federal Recreation Sites. For information about those sites, click HERE.

 

#1 of the 7 Amazing National Park Pass Options: Annual Pass

The cost of the Annual Pass is $80.00 annually. In addition, the Annual Pass is available to Anyone!

Most importantly, here are the details of the Annual Pass:

The Annual Pass allows the pass owner and either a vehicle of passengers or 3 adults (children under 16 are free) into the National Parks for one year. However, this annual pass does not cover any additional amenities such as camping or special permits, as a result, those will require a separate purchase.

Admittance with the Annual Pass most noteworthy information:

National Park where fees are based on “per-vehicle” charges:

Pass owner and entire vehicle of passengers (non-commercial).

National Parks where fees are based on “per-person” charges:

Pass owner and 3 adults (not to exceed 4 adults); Additional charges per-person over 4 adults will apply.

Children under 16 years old always receive free admittance!

 

 

#2 of the 7 Amazing National Park Pass Options: Annual 4^th Grade Pass

The cost of the Annual 4th Grade Pass is FREE! In addition, the 4th Grade Pass is available to 4^th graders only.

Here are the details of the Annual 4^th Grade Pass most noteworthy information:

The pass allows a 4^th grader one full year (September through August of their 4^th grade year) entrance to any of the National Parks for free. Above all, you must have a printed voucher from the Every Kid in a Park website to get the 4^th Grade Pass.

Admittance with the Annual 4^th Grade Pass:

National Park where fees are based on “per-vehicle” charges:

4^th grade Pass owner and entire vehicle of passengers (non-commercial).

National Parks where fees are based on “per-person” charges:

Pass owner and 3 adults (not to exceed 4 adults); Additional charges per-person over 4 adults will apply.

Children under 16 years old always receive free admittance!

 

#3 of the 7 Amazing National Park Pass Options: Senior Pass (Annual/Lifetime)

The cost of the Senior Pass is $80.00 for a Lifetime Pass or $20.00 for the Annual Pass. In addition, the Senior Pass is available to any U.S. Citizen 62 years old or older.

Details of the Senior Pass most noteworthy information :

Similarly, the Senior Pass works just like the Annual Pass for entrance into National Parks. Additionally, at many sites, the Senior Pass provides the owner Expanded Amenities towards camping, boat launching, swimming, and tours. However, these additional amenities are based on per site or location, therefore, be sure to check out more details at each National Park.

Admittance with the Senior Annual or Lifetime Pass:

National Park where fees are based on “per-vehicle” charges:

Pass owner and entire vehicle of passengers (non-commercial).

National Parks where fees are based on “per-person” charges:

Pass owner and 3 adults (not to exceed 4 adults); Additional charges per-person over 4 adults will apply.

Children under 16 years old always receive free admittance!

 

#4 of the 7 Amazing National Park Pass Options: Access Pass

The cost of the Access Pass is Free for a lifetime, however, there is a one-time $10.00 processing fee. The Access Pass is available to any U.S. Citizen who has been determined to have a permanent disability (must show medical proof) but the person does NOT have to be 100% disabled.

Details of the Access Pass most noteworthy information :

Similarly, the Access Pass works like the Annual and Senior Passes for entrance into National Parks. Additionally, at many sites, the Access Pass provides the owner Expanded Amenities towards camping, boat launching, swimming, and tours. However, these additional amenities are based on per site or location, therefore, be sure to check out more details at each National Park.

Admittance with the Access Pass:

National Park where fees are based on “per-vehicle” charges:

Pass owner and entire vehicle of passengers (non-commercial).

National Parks where fees are based on “per-person” charges:

Pass owner and 3 adults (not to exceed 4 adults); Additional charges per-person over 4 adults will apply.

Children under 16 years old always receive free admittance!

A photo I.D. of the Access Pass holder is required at the time of use.

For much more detailed information regarding the Access Pass, please click HERE.

 

#5 of the 7 Amazing National Park Pass Options: Volunteer Pass

The cost of the Volunteer Pass is a Free annually! The Volunteer Pass is available to Volunteers who accrue 250 hours of volunteer time.

Details of the Volunteer Pass most noteworthy information:

First of all, there is no specific time frame in which a volunteer must accrue their 250 hours. Likewise, it can be done over any amount of time. Furthermore, once the volunteer accrues 250 hours of volunteer hours, they are eligible for the Volunteer Pass. Finally, once they receive the pass, the pass is valid for 12 months and then the hours return to zero and begin again with each hour of volunteer work performed.

Admittance with the Volunteer Pass:

National Park where fees are based on “per-vehicle” charges:

Pass owner and entire vehicle of passengers (non-commercial).

National Parks where fees are based on “per-person” charges:

Pass owner and 3 adults (not to exceed 4 adults); Additional charges per-person over 4 adults will apply.

Children under 16 years old always receive free admittance!

For information on how to participate in the volunteer program, click HERE.

 

#6 of the 7 Amazing National Park Pass Options: U.S. Military Pass

The cost of the U.S. Military Pass is Free Annually! The U.S. Military Pass is available to any current U.S. Military Members and their Dependents.

Details of the U.S. Military Pass most noteworthy information:

The U.S. Military Pass is available to any current U.S. Military members and their dependents. Additionally, this includes U.S. Reserves and National Guard Members. You will need to provide Military I.D. Even more, the pass is also available to dependents of any U.S. Military Members who are deployed who can show a DoD Form 1173. The U.S. Military Pass does not cover any additional amenities such as camping or special permits, therefore, those will require a separate purchase.

Admittance with the U.S. Military Pass:

National Park where fees are based on “per-vehicle” charges:

Pass owner and entire vehicle of passengers (non-commercial).

National Parks where fees are based on “per-person” charges:

Pass owner and 3 adults (not to exceed 4 adults); Additional charges per-person over 4 adults will apply.

Children under 16 years old always receive free admittance!

 

#7 of the 7 Amazing National Park Pass Options: Northwest Forest Pass

The cost of the Northwest Forest Pass is $30.00 Annually. The Northwest Forest Pass is available to anyone.

Details of the Northwest Forest Pass most noteworthy information:

The Northwest Forest Pass can be used at all Forest Service operated recreation daily sites in Washington and Oregon.

Admittance with the Northwest Forest Pass:

Northwest Forest Park where fees are based on “per-vehicle” charges:

Pass owner and entire vehicle of passengers (non-commercial) and the vehicle must be listed as one of the two license plate boxes on the pass.

Northwest Forest Park where fees are based on “per-person” charges:

Pass owner is allowed at per-person sites. Others must pay the per-person fee(s).

 

National Park Pass Options for Purchasing

In Conclusion, you should be able to qualify for at least one of the 7 Amazing National Park Passes that will, therefore, save at least a little money for you and your family! We wanted to share all of the option with you so you can make the right choice of which pass you  and your family will benefit from the most.

Above all, if you would like to order the America the Beautiful National Park Annual Pass discussed above, please click HERE and if you would like to order the Annual 4^th Grade Pass, the Senior Pass, the Access Pass, the Volunteer Pass, the U.S. Military Pass, or the Northwest Forest Pass, please click HERE.