National Park Pass Benefits: Everything You Need to Know

A National Parks pass opens the door to the world’s most unique landscapes and natural wonders. Essentially, it’s your ticket to new discoveries and experiences! There are many options to choose from, so discover which park pass is the best fit for you and your crew. With it, you’ll never have to second guess visiting a dream location.

If you love the national parks or want to start checking some off your bucket list, it’s a worthwhile investment! Keep reading to learn all the ways you can get the most out of your pass. And learn why this year it’s important to show your support at the national parks!

What Does a Park Pass Cover?

National park passes grant visitors access to one or multiple parks throughout the country. But it depends on which one you get! Essentially, buying a standard pass will grant entry for one day up to a week at one park (NPS). An annual pass, as the name suggests, grants access to a park or group of parks for a whole year (NPS).

For frequent park visitors and dedicated adventurers, there is one more option. The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands pass opens a whole new world. With it, visitors can unlock access to over 2,000 unique natural locations. From parks to monuments, and so much more throughout the country (NPS & US Park Pass). This pass covers entrance fees and day-use fees.

Which Pass Should You Get?

There are many different types of park passes, so finding the one that fits you best is important. Learn about all passes, requirements, and qualifications. Check out the National Park Service website for more information. Amongst America the Beautiful passes, there are various types. These include:

Annual Pass

These are available to everyone! Whether you’re visiting one park multiple times, or multiple parks.

Senior Annual Pass and Senior Lifetime Pass

U.S. citizens and permanent residents over 62 years old, this one’s for you! Beyond entrance fees, they offer a discount on expanded amenity fees. These include swimming, boat launching, camping, and tours. Read more about it here and here.

Military Annual Pass and Military Lifetime Pass

These passes are for current U.S. military, dependents, Gold Star Families, and veterans. They’re free with a small shipping and handling fee. Read more about it here.

Access Pass

This is for U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have a disability. There are no age requirements for this pass! This can be used for various campsites, tours, transportation systems, and more. This pass is free with a small shipping and handling fee. Read more about it here.

4th Grade Pass

You guessed it! This pass is for U.S. 4th graders. Every Kid Outdoors was created specifically for 4th graders (ages 9-11). Their goal is to get every kid outside and explore the natural country. The best part? If you’re a 4th-grade educator, you have the option to download and print up to 300 passes for your students! The pass does not cover expanded amenity fees. Read more about it here.

Volunteer Pass

This is a free pass for volunteers at the parks. Those who have acquired at least 250 hours of service qualify! Volunteer opportunities can be found here.

Where Do You Get One?

It’s easy to get a national park pass! Simply pull up at a federal recreation site and make your purchase. Or, physical passes can be ordered online (NPS). 

Getting a 4th Grade Pass is simple, too! Kids can exchange their paper passes from Every Kid Outdoors for the Annual 4th Grade Pass at a federal recreation site. Note that the physical, paper pass will need to be presented. Not a digital version (Every Kid Outdoors).

Pro Tip: Many park passes can sometimes be purchased at your local outdoor retail store! 

Maximizing Your National Park Visits: Tips, Tricks, and More

Now that you have a national park pass, it’s time to use it to its fullest! Don’t miss out on all the perks and benefits of a national park pass. Entrance fees can really add up. Especially if you’re planning to buy souvenirs, food, or gear in the park. Securing a park pass is a great way to save money in the long run. Depending on which pass you have, different benefits apply. 

Read on to discover how to maximize your visit to the national parks with your pass. Whether you’re visiting one park for the first time to Glacier, or this is your millionth visit to Arches. Make your future trips more meaningful and packed with adventure.

Good for Groups

An America the Beautiful pass is perfect for groups! It allows the owner as well as the passengers in a personal vehicle to access the park. So load up the van! That means friends and family get to skip the entrance fee if they carpool with you. That makes this perfect for families and groups.

Get savvy with saving! Since a regular annual or standard pass doesn’t cover amenity fees, split costs among friends. Everyone can pitch in to bring tent accessories, food, gear, and anything else. Share the cost of rentals, guided tours, and more.

Discounts on Amenity Fees

As noted earlier, specific passes do offer discounts on amenity fees. The senior and military passes, for example. If you or someone in your family has these passes, you’re in luck! Save on campsites, fishing, boat launching, and so much more. Be sure to always have your pass handy to utilize these discounts. It makes a trip to the national parks much more affordable and adventure-filled. With it, you can pitch your camping tent in the park of your dreams at a discount!

Make a Reservation

Visiting the parks can get crowded– especially later into the busy season! Make the most of your pass by being diligent in making reservations. During the spring, summer, and fall seasons, timed entry tickets are available. Campsites also require reservations. Typically, campgrounds inside the park have very limited sites. So, the earlier, the better! Don’t forget to lock down your logistics for an effortless adventure.

Why It’s More Important Now Than Ever

If you love the U.S. national parks, then you likely know how significantly under threat they are right now. The national parks are struggling in the face of mass layoffs, job cuts, and federal budget cuts. Heavier traffic, fewer rangers, and other issues are expected in the following seasons. But they are still open! For now, campers and visitors can show their support by showing up. Chat with a ranger about how you can help or volunteer.

So this year, don’t just visit the parks for no reason. Visit with intention! Practice the 7 Leave No Trace principles, and leave it better than you found it. Your presence makes an impact! So get your pass, and visit the parks this year.

Visit Our National Parks

So, where will you pitch your camping tent this year? In the sandy Great Sand Dunes, or the red rock canyons of the Mighty Five? With a national park pass, the choice is yours! Explore boundless adventure all year long.

If you’ve been thinking of getting a pass, this is your sign to do it. With so many options to choose from, you’ll find the perfect pass for you. All passes grant access to thousands of unique landscapes and monuments. Senior citizens, military members, and veterans are eligible for lifetime passes. These include special perks like amenity discounts. The Access Pass is available for those with disabilities. No one has to miss out on these incredible places. 4th graders get the special opportunity to apply for an annual pass, too! And of course, dedicated volunteers have the chance to receive a pass for all their hard work.
 

Groups and individuals can save so much on daily entrance fees. And depending on the pass, don’t forget to utilize amenity discounts on camping, fishing, and so much more. Save money as a group by sharing costs, and book reservations early to simplify logistics!

This year, it’s super important to support the beloved national parks. As always, leave it better than you found it, and do your part to show you care. With your national park pass, you have access to some of the world’s greatest adventures! Use it to the fullest and visit your dream destinations.

Happy Camping!