How to Save Money with the America the Beautiful Pass
The U.S. National Parks register hundreds of millions of visitors each year. Are you one of those people, who are drawn to these incredible experiences? Then you have to get the America the Beautiful Pass.
People come from all over the world to hike on the thrilling Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park, admire postcard-perfect mountain views in Rocky Mountain National Park, or wait in suspense for the Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park to erupt.
We love being outdoors and made it one of our goals to visit all the jaw-dropping 63 National Parks in the US. Unfortunately, the entrance fees for National Parks can sum up quickly, and with our 42 visited parks, we would have dished out a lot more money if we didn’t take advantage of the America the Beautiful National Park Pass.
But even if you cannot visit as many, the National Park Pass is still an excellent choice. For just $80, you can visit as many parks as you want within one year. Sounds too good to be true? Trust us, there are no hidden secrets.
To start your next National Park trip, you just need to know which places are covered by your annual pass to National Parks, and which America the Beautiful Pass you should purchase.
For some inspiration, we also added a list of all the National Parks in the USA. Let the adventure begin!
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Helpful National Park Resources
Campervan: Our favorite way to explore the US National Parks is by campervan. Go to the world’s largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace and find your perfect van. l RVshare
Rental Car: Get out on the road and explore your destination with a rental car at the best price with Discover Cars. l Discover Cars
Travel Insurance: Feel safe on all your adventures around the world with simple and flexible travel insurance for all occasions. l World Nomad
Experiences: Make unforgettable experiences on your next trip with Get Your Guide, the best company to compare and book Sedona activities, and fun tours. l Get Your Guide
Gifts for National Park Lovers: 46 Best National Park Gifts for All National Park Travelers
Benefits of America the Beautiful Pass
- Access to over 2,000 sites managed by the Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Included are all 63 national parks, national monuments, national forests, and national wildlife refuges.
- Covers the park’s entrance fee, also known as the day-use fee.
- Pass covers fees for pass owner/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas
- Pass covers fees for pass owner + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, where per-person fees are charged (under 16 are free)
- One America the Beautiful Pass can have 2 owners
- 6 different pass options are available
Continue reading to find out more about the benefits of the America the Beautiful Pass in detail.
How Much Does the National Park Pass Cost?
The America the Beautiful Pass / National Park Pass cost $80 for the annual pass and is valid for 1 year from the month you purchased the pass.
For parks that charge a vehicle admission fee, the America the Beautiful Pass will cover the fee for the owner plus all the passengers in the vehicle.
For parks that charge a per-person admission fee, the America the Beautiful Pass will cover the pass owner plus 3 adults. Visitors under 16 are always free to enter the parks.
Top Tip: Technically, the annual pass for National Parks is valid for 1 whole year. But the National Park Service gives you the 13 months, the one you purchased the pass in, for free. Let’s say you visit Arches National Park in Utah and purchased your pass on September, 5th 2021, then your pass will be valid until September, 30th 2022.
Where to Buy National Park Pass: America the Beautiful Pass
There are a few different ways you can purchase your America the Beautiful Pass. You purchase over the phone, online, or in person.
To purchase America the Beautiful Pass online: Buy now from the USGS store, REI Store
Note: When purchasing online, the pass is not available for immediate download. The physical pass will be mailed to you. If you need a pass quickly, plan on purchasing in person at a designated site.
To purchase America the Beautiful Pass in person: At a federal recreation site.
To purchase America the Beautiful Pass over the phone: 888-ASK USGS (1-888-275-8747), extension 2 (Hours of operation are: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Mountain Time)
What Does the America the Beautiful Pass Cover?
Did you know that the USA has 2,000 federal natural, cultural, and historical recreation sites splattered across the country? They are just waiting for you to explore them. The best thing is that you will have free access to them with your America the Beautiful Pass annual pass.
Included are all 63 national parks, national monuments, national forests, and national wildlife refuges.
If you are not sure, if your pass is valid for your desired destination, just do some research online or ask upon arrival.
It is always a good idea to give it a try. Who doesn’t like to save some bucks? We were seriously surprised at how many places we could actually use our America the Beautiful annual pass without even knowing.
Here are just two recent examples:
- Canoeing on the Colorado River
We rented a canoe for a super exciting trip on the Colorado River. To start our adventure, we had to park our car near the boat launch in Lake Mead National Recreation Area AZ, NV. Thanks to the America the Beautiful Pass, we did not have to pay the $25 entrance and lake use fees for our stay
- Visiting Sedona
When visiting Sedona, we planned on doing some hikes in the red rock country. To park at the trailheads, you usually have to purchase a Red Rock Pass ($15 for a week), which helps maintain and protect the beautiful, unique landscape. Guess what? Since it is a national forest, we could use our America Beautiful Pass as our parking ticket and didn’t have to pay an extra penny.
America The Beautiful Pass only covers the entrance fee.
Be mindful the America the Beautiful pass only covers the entrance fees for National Parks and other different sites. If you plan on doing other activities, or you need additional permits, these are not covered.
When we visited the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, we entered the park for free but obtained a $6 backpacking permit for the once-in-a-lifetime experience to camp in the massive sand dunes.
Be aware that some national parks don’t have entrance fees but to see their main feature, you will have to pay for a separate ticket. That means, when visiting Mammoth Cave National Park, you can hike their trails for free, but you really go there to see the world’s longest-known cave system. To get down into the dark, you have to book a tour, which you have to pay out of your own pocket.
The Pass can have up to 2 owners.
The America the Beautiful Pass will give you unlimited access to all of the more than 2,000 sites for the 2 pass owners (make sure to sign the back of your precious pass) and all passengers in a regular non-commercial vehicle.
The 2 owners of the access pass National Parks don’t have to be related or married. If the site has a per-person charge, the annual pass National Parks will cover the entrance fee to National Park for the pass owner and 3 other adults. Children aged 15 and under are free to enter.
Be aware that the pass is non-transferable. You always have to show a valid photo ID to verify that you’re the owner of the pass.
Which America the Beautiful Passes are Available?
There are 6 different passes to National Parks options available, but the annual National Park pass is the most common one. Let’s take a closer look at all the available options.
Note: The information below came directly from the National Park Service Website (nps.gov).
Annual Pass
Available for: Everyone
Costs: $80.00
How to Purchase:
- In person: At a federal recreation site
- By phone at: 888-ASK USGS (1-888-275-8747), extension 2 (Hours of operation are: 8 am to 4 pm Mountain Time)
- Online: Buy now from the USGS store.
Military Pass
Available for: Current U.S. military members and their dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, as well as Reserve and National Guard members.
Cost: Free (Annual Pass)
How to Get Your Pass: At a federal recreation site by showing a Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID (Form 1173).
Annual 4th Grade Pass
Available for: U.S. 4th graders (including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age) with a valid Every Kid Outdoors paper pass
Cost: Free (valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year through the following summer (September-August)
How to Get Your Pass: Paper passes can be obtained by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website and can be exchanged for the Annual 4th Grade Pass at federal recreation sites that charge Entrance or Standard Amenity fees (Day Use Fee).
Digital versions of the paper pass (such as on smartphones or tablets) will not be accepted to exchange for an Annual 4th Grade Pass.
Senior Pass
Available for: U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship.
Cost: $80.00 Lifetime Senior Pass or $20.00 Annual Senior Pass
How to Purchase Your Pass:
- In person: At a federal recreation site
- Online: buy the lifetime pass or the annual pass online now through the USGS store.
- By mail: Use this application form.
Note: There is an additional cost of $10.00 for passes purchased online or by mail.
Access Pass
Available for: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship.
Cost: Free
How to Get Your Pass:
- In person: At a federal recreation site.
- Online: Through the USGS Store. The cost of obtaining an Access Pass online is $10.00 for processing (the pass is free).
- By mail: Use this application form. The cost of obtaining an Access Pass through the mail is $10.00 for processing the application (the Pass is free).
Volunteer Pass
Available for: Volunteers with 250 service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program
Cost: Free (Valid for 12 months after the date it was issued)
By the way: The costs for your pass help the Federal Recreation Sites improve their infrastructure and go right into maintenance that enhances your experiences in these breathtaking parks.
How to Use Your America the Beautiful Pass
- Order your pass or buy your pass at the park
- Keep America the Beautiful Pass in your wallet
- Head to a National Park
- Hand America the Beautiful Pass with an I.D to the Park Ranger at the entrance station
- Park Ranger will check the pass and I.D., then give it back to you.
- Grab a park map
- Hang your pass from your rearview mirror or place it visibly on the dashboard
- Enjoy exploring the U.S. National Park
List of Entrance Fees for National Parks
National Park |
State |
Per Vehicle |
Per Person |
| Acadia National Park | Maine | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Arches National Park | Utah | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Badlands National Park | South Dakota | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Big Bend National Park | Texas | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park | Colorado | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Bryce Canyon National Park | Utah | $35.00 | $20.00 |
| Canyonlands National Park | Utah | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Capitol Reef National Park | Utah | $20.00 | $10.00 |
| Carlsbad Caverns National Park | New Mexico | $15.00 | |
| Crater Lake National Park | Oregon | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Death Valley National Park | California | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Denali National Park | Alaska | $15.00 | |
| Dry Tortugas National Park | Florida | $15.00 | |
| Everglades National Park | Florida | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Gateway Arch National Park | Missouri | $3.00 | |
| Glacier National Park | Montana | $35.00 | $20.00 |
| Grand Canyon National Park | Arizona | $35.00 | $20.00 |
| Grand Teton National Park | Wyoming | $35.00 | $20.00 |
| Great Sand Dunes National Park | Colorado | $25.00 | $15.00 |
| Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Texas | $10.00 | |
| Haleakalā National Park | Hawaii | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park | Hawaii | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Isle Royale National Park | Michigan | $7.00 | |
| Joshua Tree National Park | California | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Lassen Volcanic National Park | California | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Mesa Verde National Park | Colorado | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Mount Rainier National Park | Washington | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Olympic National Park | Washington | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Petrified Forest National Park | Arizona | $25.00 | $15.00 |
| Pinnacles National Park | California | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Rocky Mountains National Park | Colorado | $35.00 | $20.00 |
| Saguaro National Park | Arizona | $25.00 | $15.00 |
| Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park | California | $35.00 | $20.00 |
| Shenandoah National Park | Virginia | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | North Dakota | $30.00 | $15.00 |
| White Sands National Park | New Mexico | $25.00 | $15.00 |
| Yellowstone National Park | Wyoming | $35.00 | $20.00 |
| Yosemite National Park | California | $35.00 | $20.00 |
| Zion National Park | Utah | $35.00 | $20.00 |
List of National Parks without Entrance Fees
| National Parks | State |
| American Samoa National Park | U.S. Territory – American Samoa |
| Biscayne National Park | Florida |
| Channel Islands National Park | California |
| Congaree National Park | South Carolina |
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Ohio |
| Gates of the Arctic National Park | Alaska |
| Glacier Bay National Park | Alaska |
| Great Basin National Park | Nevada |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Tennessee |
| Hot Springs National Park | Arkansas |
| Indiana Dunes National Park | Indiana |
| Katmai National Park | Alaska |
| Kenai Fjords National Park | Alaska |
| Kobuk Valley National Park | Alaska |
| Lake Clark National Park | Alaska |
| Mammoth Cave National Park | Kentucky |
| New River Gorge National Park | West Virginia |
| North Cascade National Park | Washington |
| Redwood National Park | California |
| Virgin Islands National Park | U.S. Virgin Island – St. John |
| Voyageurs National Park | Minnesota |
| Wind Cave National Park | South Dakota |
| Wrangell-St. Elias National Park | Alaska |
FAQs about America the Beautiful Pass
1.Is America the Beautiful Pass the same as the National Park Pass?
Yes, America the Beautiful Pass is the name for the National Park Pass. This is the pass you will want to get if you plan on visiting the U.S. National Parks or other various recreational sites.
2. What does the America the Beautiful Pass get you?
America the Beautiful Pass is your ticket to waiving the entrance fee in over 2,000 federal recreational sites. If you plan on visiting multiple parks in a year, the America the Beautiful Pass will save you money. Plus with the pass, you are helping improve and enhance the park system because 100% of the proceeds go back to the parks.
3. Does America the Beautiful Pass cover all National Parks?
Yes, the America the Beautiful Pass covers all National Parks in the United States entrance fees. It does not cover additional fees for activities, camping, etc.
4. Can 2 people use the America the Beautiful Pass?
Yes, each America the Beautiful Pass can have 2 owners who sign their names on the back of the card.
5. Can I use someone else’s pass?
Technically, you can only benefit from someone else’s America the Beautiful Pass when you are visiting a National Park together. Depending on if you are at a per vehicle or per person entry fee location will depend on how many people 1 America the Beautiful Pass will cover.
6. Who should purchase the America the Beautiful Pass?
No matter if you’re planning an epic National Park Road Trip in Utah, a cross-country road trip from coast to coast, or you’re traveling within the USA from another country you should get the America the Beautiful National Parks pass.
Look at our list of National Parks with Entrance Fees below and consider which parks you might visit in one year. The average entrance fee for National Parks for a vehicle is $25, with a lot of parks being even more expensive. If you visit 4 different national parks in one year, your $80 annual pass was already worth the money.
We are sure that you will use your America Beautiful pass to its fullest. The 63 national parks are spread out in 30 states and 2 territories. You can visit national monuments in 32 states. Wherever you travel, you will find beautiful treasures around every corner. And keep in mind all the other recreation sites, you can use your pass for.
7. Can you use America the Beautiful Pass instead of the Red Rock Pass?
When you are in the Red Rock Pass area, you can use your America the Beautiful Pass instead of the Red Rock Pass.
When visiting Sedona, we planned on doing some hikes in the red rock country. To park at the trailheads, you usually have to purchase a Red Rock Pass ($15 for a week), which helps maintain and protect the beautiful, unique landscape. Guess what? Since it is a national forest, we could use our America Beautiful Pass as our parking ticket and didn’t have to pay an extra penny.
8. Does the America the Beautiful pass expire?
Yes, the America the Beautiful pass does expire. It will expire at the end of the same month of the following year that you purchase the pass. For example, if you purchase the pass any day in January 2022 your pass will expire the last day of January 2023.
9. Does it cover State Parks?
Unfortunately, the America the Beautiful pass does not cover state parks, county parks, or any other privately owned natural sites. Usually, if the America the Beautiful pass is not accepted at a specific location, there will be a sign letting you know. If you don’t see a sign or you are unsure, it can’t hurt to ask.
Is it worth it to get an America the Beautiful Pass?
We couldn’t put it any simpler, the America Beautiful Pass is 100% worth it. And we are not even getting sponsored for saying that. We are just National Park Geeks, who love to help others get out in nature. And the amount of money you save by buying this National Park pass is incredible.
Let’s put it all together, why (almost) everyone should buy the America the Beautiful Pass:
- FREE Access to over 2,000 Public Lands for 1 Whole Year
- Quickly Pays for Itself – can’t beat the price!
- There is an America the Beautiful passes to National Parks for everyone – 6 available pass options
- Share Your Pass with Friends and Family – the pass is able to have 2 owners.
- Supports Funding to America’s Public Lands
Now all you have to do is get out there and explore the beautiful lands of America.
Which parks did you visit with the America the Beautiful Pass? Where did you use it unexpectedly?
Share your experiences with us or drop a question in the comments below!
Our Best Resources for National Parks:
- ARCHES: 8 Incredible Trails to Hike Arches National Park
- BRYCE CANYON: Best Bryce Canyon Hikes for Your Bucket List
- CAPITOL REEF: Explore 10 Striking Capitol Reef Hikes in the Fruita District
- CANYONLANDS: The Best of Island in the Sky Canyonlands National Park
- ZION: 11 Best Hikes in Zion National Park
- ROAD TRIP: Plan a Trip from Zion to Bryce Canyon: 2 Utah National Parks
- ROAD TRIP: Explore Utahs National Parks in One Unforgettable Road Trip
- NATIONAL PARKS: 16 Best Coast National Parks You Need to Visit
- NATIONAL PARKS: 34 Best West Coast National Parks + Western U.S. Parks that Will Blow You Away
- NATIONAL PARK: A Complete National Park List by State + Downloadable Checklist and Map
- NATIONAL PARK: First Hand Ranking of National Parks in USA from Best to Worst
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Cant wait to see all the parks
How many have you visited so far? We are getting closer and closer to visiting them all. We are over 40 parks now.