Essential Guide to the 2023 National Parks Annual Pass

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast (or looking for a gift for one!), the National Parks Annual Pass, AKA the America the Beautiful Pass, is the holy grail. This guide breaks down everything you could possibly want to know about it, including where to get it and how much it costs.
Are you a National Parks Annual Pass holder?
If not, and you’re one of the 327.5 million people who visited a national park last year, you likely spent a substantial amount on admission fees alone.
The average cost to enter a U.S. national park is $30 per vehicle, but some parks charge more. Keep in mind, that’s just for a single park.
If you were, say, road-tripping through Alaska, working your way through the best hikes in Arches and Canyonlands, visiting the Great 8 South Dakota landmarks, or exploring Washington’s national parks, you could easily spend upwards of $100 โ just to get inside the gates.
That’s where the National Parks Annual Pass, also known as the America the Beautiful pass, comes in.
In September 2021, I was fortunate enough to have won permits to hike the Half Dome Cables Route. When I say fortunate, I mean beyond fortunate โ only a literal handful of people get these permits each year.
Anyhow, I digress. The Yosemite entrance fee is $35 and we were going to visit the park several times over the course of several days. We also planned to visit nearby Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks during our trip.ย
I used my annual national park pass at 11 parks in 2021, including multiple visits to Zion National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Oddly and coincidentally, I also visited 11 in 2022!
That list included a few favorites (Glacier and Bryce Canyon), as well as some ultra-remote parks: Guadalupe Mountains in Texas, and Alaska’s Denali and Kenai Fjords. I also had the tremendous honor of working with two tourism boards in Montana and visiting Yellowstoneย post-flood.
That doesn’t even account for the national forest campsites (typically, America the Beautiful pass holders get a 50% discount!), recreation areas, or national monuments. It’s money very well-spent.
If you’re a fellow national park geek or you’re looking for a gift for an outdoorsy person, purchasing the National Parks Annual Pass is a no-brainer. It’s also an excellent way to save money on family travel!
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission โ at no cost to you โ if you click or make a purchase through any of them. For more information, read myย disclosure statement. I appreciate you!
Jump ahead to:
What is the National Parks Annual Pass?
The America the Beautiful pass, or the national parks annual pass, gives you access to over 2,000 recreation areas nationwide.
In addition to the 63 national parks, the National Park Annual Pass gets you entry into hundreds of national monuments, national recreation areas, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and more.ย
While there are some exceptions, a good rule of thumb is that if it has “national” in the name, the America the Beautiful pass will get you in. It even works at many state parks โ if the park is in national forest land or part of a national preserve.
The annual parks pass costs $80 annually, although again, there are some exceptions to that. Let’s take a look at some of those exceptions.
America the Beautiful pass variations and costs
National Parks Annual Pass for U.S. Military: Free national park passes are available for all current U.S. military members, as well as their dependents. U.S. military Reserve and National Guard members and their dependents are also eligible.
America the Beautiful Pass for Seniors: U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents who are over the age of 62 qualify for a discounted national park pass. The NPS pass cost for seniors is $20 annually.
Seniors are also eligible for a Lifetime Senior Pass, which costs $80.
NPS Access Pass: U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have permanent disabilities are eligible for a free National Parks annual pass.
Note that you’ll be required to provide documentation of the disability when applying for the NPS Access Pass.
Free National Parks Pass for 4th Graders: For those who enjoy family hiking and exploring The Great Outdoors together, the wonderful Every Kid Outdoors program gives American fourth-graders a free NPS annual pass.
The free national park pass for 4th graders is valid for one school year, from September to August. Home-schooled children are also eligible. Families must first print a paper pass from the Every Kid Outdoors website, then exchange it in person at a national park.
Families should download and print their voucher for a free NPS annual pass, then exchange it in person at a participating national park.
Military Veterans and Gold Star Free Access Program
In 2020, the National Parks Service introduced a new program, the Military Veterans and Gold Star Family Free Access Program.
While it’s not technically a free national parks annual pass, this pseudo-America the Beautiful pass does permanently grant U.S. veterans and Gold Star Families waived entrance fees.
Prior to this program, there was only a free National Park Pass for active-duty military members.
In order to take advantage of this incredible (and much-deserved!) program for a free national parks pass, veterans must present an acceptable form of identification upon entering a participating national park. Those forms of identification include:
- Drivers’ license or identification card with a “Veteran” designation
- Veteran ID card
- Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
- Department of Defense Identification Card (CAC Card)
The process for getting a free national parks annual pass is slightly different for Gold Star families, who the USO defines as having “lost an immediate family member in the line of duty of military service.”
Before going to a national park, Gold Star family members must print and sign a special voucher, which must then be presented to a park ranger upon entry. In unstaffed parks, the Gold Star Family Voucher must be clearly displayed on your vehicle dashboard.
ย
Where can you buy a National Parks Annual pass?
You can purchase a National Park Annual Pass online from several places, including outdoor retailers L.L. Bean and REI. The U.S. Department of the Interior websiteย also sells national park passes.
Please note that you are not given any temporary credentials; the physical pass comes in the mail. Take this into consideration if you want your new America the Beautiful pass for an upcoming trip.
Hundreds of federal recreation sites also issue annual passes in person.
The extensive list includes many โ but not all โ national parks and monuments, so be sure to check on your specific destination. We generally buy ours at an actual national park each year, because we like the experience attached to it (not to mention the fact that national parks passes make excellent travel souvenirs!).
- Note that NPS states all annual passes “are non-refundable, non-transferable, cannot be extended, and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.” I keep mine in my wallet because you just never know when you may end up on a spontaneous road trip through Montana and Wyoming, visiting multiple national parks.
Looking for ways to use your National Park Annual Pass? Check out these awesome things to do near Zion National Park!
I hope this guide to the America the Beautiful pass is helpful!
Which national parks have you been to and which are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below, and be sure to pin this guide on the annual national parks pass for later!
Sharing is caring!
Taryn
Taryn is happiest when she's outside and always up for an adventure โ especially if it involves a hike, sunset, road trip, or limited cell service.
Jaime
Wow, I had no idea that you would also get access to so many other recreational areas too. And I totally agree that it’s worth buying the pass if you plan to go to multiple national parks. I can’t wait to buy one of these passes now!
CHRISTINE
I JUST found out about this pass after visiting my first nation park in a few years and being blown away. Such a great deal, especially now. Nature is the only safe place to retreat during this pandemic!
Kalu
Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to visit all these beautiful places.
Taryn
KaluMe too! I have a few new ones on my bucket list!
Norma
This is great! I did not know that you could get a pass to multiple national parks. It’s so nice and relaxing to spend time in nature.
Taryn
NormaI totally agree! A perfect (and affordable!) way to experience new places during uncertain travel times.
Margie
We LOVE this pass and plan to get it in the future. We have been able to use the 4th grade national parks pass, but plan on purchasing the annual next year.
Sarah- Last Minute Wanders
I haven’t made it over to the US yet but I would LOVE to visit some of these amazing National Parks! It’s good to know that it’s worth buying the annual pass if you’re planning to visit a few NPs, even if you may not use it for the whole year. $80 versus $30 each time is a great saving!
Cristina
It’s amazing to know that you can save lots with the annual pass ๐ I’d love to explore USA National Parks.
@postcardfromizabelita
Such a useful article – thank you so much! I am planning a trip to US and National Parks are my must see so it is so handy to find out about this pass! And your photos give me a real wanderlust – hopefully will be able to travel to US soon!
Taryn
@postcardfromizabelitaHopefully – fingers crossed!
Jamie Sharpe
Hope I can travel enough next year to make the pass worth it!
Taryn
Jamie SharpeI hope you can too, Jamie!
Shelbs
We’re definitely buying this next year!!
Ildiko
I never purchased such a pass, but definitely see the value especially if you live in an area that has many national parks that charge an entry fee. I first really experienced this when we were traveling to the Pacific Northwest, through Washington state and Oregon. $30 here,$30 there and it quickly adds up.
Taryn
IldikoThat’s exactly right! That’s what inspired us to get one a few years ago and now having it sort of ensures that we get out and explore – like a little bit of extra motivation.
ECO-FRIENDLY GIFTS - Earthful Life
[…] with tips and inspiration for all of your outdoor adventure goals and dreams. Read her article, America The Beautiful: The National Parks Annual Pass to learn all the details about the National Parks Annual Pass. She explains how many parks and […]
Patri
Very useful information! I used to have one when I lived in Utah, how could I not! lol
Taryn
PatriAbsolutely, Patri! With so many parks close by, I totally agree with you. We get a ton of use out of ours also (we live in southern Arizona) between the parks in AZ, Utah, New Mexico, and California alone!
molly
We love the National Parks Pass! I have had one every year for at least 20 years! I have a favorite park in Michigan where I try to get my pass each year. It is like a reminder to go there. Old passes make great keepsakes too
Krista
I had no idea you needed an annual pass! Great article with lots of helpful points.
Josy A
This would make SUCH a good Christmas present for people that love exploring National Parks. If I was in the States I would totally purchase this!
It sounds like you made the most of it by visiting so many parks! ๐
Taryn
Josy AI think it’s such a great gift idea too, Josy! We’re actually gifting someone one this year, and our hope is that it encourages them to get out and visit more parks than they otherwise would!
Travel Advice
Your site has provided myself a lot of practical advice, and
for that I thank you very much. This particular article
is one of the best I’ve read until now on your site, so I thought I needed to take some time to post a comment.
You’ve provided me a number of pointers to assist me down the road.
Taryn
Travel AdviceI’m so glad to hear that you found it helpful, thank you for taking the time to let me know!
Zosia Jordan
This is incredible!! So pleased you were able to experience such a beautiful guide…
Kattie Knedler
Just finished reading your article and I have to comment, it was an absolute hoot. Your writing style is so engaging, I felt like I was on a wild goose chase with you. The picture you included were also a hoot, and I’m persuadedconvinced that you must have a photographic memory because they were so vivid. Keep it up, it’s a real trip!”
Armanda Bollaert
I also appreciated the amount of writing and resources that were provided. It made the information easy to understand and follow. I will surely be sharing this post with my colleague and family.
Karlene Haydal
In brief, I can’t recommend this article enough. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in topic above. well-done to the writer, you have truly outsmart yourself! Keep the good blog coming.