America the Beautiful Annual Pass: What to Consider

Hi there! Today we are going to discuss the America the Beautiful Annual Pass.

If you are a National Park geek like myself, then this article will be for you!

With over 2,000 natural, historic, and cultural sites in the United States, why not consider getting one of these?

So today, I am going to give you all of the features and caveats to owning this pass so you know what to expect before you purchase one.

If you’re asking me if it’s worth it, before I answer that question, I want to first give you some things to consider before buying one.

Like anything else, you will need to consider a few things that I am going to mention here.

Without further ado, let’s jump into the article!

For more information on this annual pass, you can find them right here.

America the Beautiful Annual Pass: Things to Consider

My spring break this year was spent at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. A fun trip that is worthwhile.

Okay, first things first, when purchasing your America the Beautiful Annual Pass, the first question comes to mind.

Will I actually use it?

Well, this is going to be different for everyone.

If you live in the Midwest part of the United States and you only get a short and limited time off from work, then I probably would decline this purchase.

However, if you live in the Pacific Northwest and you have these parks that are within a day’s drive, then I definitely think this is worth it.

America the Beautiful Annual Pass can definitely pay for itself. With that being said, here are some things to know and consider…

How Much Does it Cost? The current cost of an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass is $80.

How Long is it Good For? It’s good until the end of the month of purchase the following year. For example, if you purchase one this month, then it will expire in March of 2025.

How Many People Can Get In On One Park Pass? An entire private vehicle can get in. Or, the pass holder and three other adults, which starts at 16. 15 and under have free entrance to National Parks.

Where Does it Grant Entry? The America the Beautiful National Park Pass grants access to over 2,000 NPS-run parks, monuments, memorials and more.

So, we know what it covers. Now the question remains, What Does it Not Cover? The National Park Passes don’t cover extra costs like special tours, permits, campsites, lodging souvenirs or anything else other than the actual entrance fee.

Are You 62 or Older?

Once you turn 62, you qualify for the Senior National Park Pass which means the $80 purchase will now last you for the rest of your life. So, that’s something to look forward to! Or, you can do a $20 annual pass.

It’s a Great Gift for those who Travel

Whenever we don’t necessarily have multiple national park trips planned, I still get a National Park Pass because even if I only use it on the one trip, I consider that extra $55 a donation to the National Parks Service and I don’t feel bad about it. I appreciate the well-kept trails, the signage, the maps and the Junior Ranger Programs that they put on.

The 4th Grade Pass

Anyone here with 4th graders?

This pass is a free ride for your youngsters. The fee pass is valid for the duration of the 4th grader’s school year through the following summer (September- August)

Available for: US 4th graders, including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age, with a valid Every Kid Outdoors paper pass

How to obtain:

Step 1: Obtain a paper pass by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website and following the instructions.
Step 2: Exchange for the Annual 4th Grade Pass at federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees (day use fee). Find a location to pick up this pass at a federal recreation site.
NOTE: Digital versions of the paper pass, such as on smart phones or tablets, will not be accepted to exchange for an Annual Fourth Grade Pass.
Additional Information:

Find detailed information about this pass on the Every Kid Outdoors website and the USGS Store’s Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
Educators can also be involved! Learn more at the Every Kid Outdoors website.

Additional Things to Know

Photo ID must be shown with the pass upon entering a staffed Federal Recreation Area. At unstaffed Federal Recreation Areas, place the pass in the hangtag and hang from the rearview mirror — or leave the pass on your dashboard with months facing up.

Passes are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and CANNOT be replaced if lost or stolen.

Passes are valid up to, and on the last day of the month that is punched. The pass expiration date cannot be extended for any reason.

Some federal recreational lands require advance reservations — even if you already have an America the Beautiful National Park Pass. Please check official agency websites for the current status of the location you plan to visit.

The Annual National Park Pass offered on this website is just one of several Pass options available. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident aged 62 or older, have a permanent disability, are a current U.S. Military member, Gold Star Family member, veteran, or are a student in the 4th grade, you may qualify for other passes.

For more information, contact your local participating Federal recreation site or visit the webpage https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes

Confirmation emails and receipts are NOT valid for entrance or use. Visitors need to present their physical America the Beautiful Pass when using Federal lands that charge a fee or display it in the vehicle at unstaffed fee areas.

Please take shipping time into consideration when placing your order.

Free Entrance Days

Here are some freebies for those who love to travel.

On six days in 2024, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone.

Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2024: Let’s take a look at them.

January 15: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
April 20: First day of National Park Week
June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
September 28: National Public Lands Day
November 11: Veterans Day

Thoughts & Takeaways

And that will wrap things up for today, I hope you found this article to be helpful. For those who love to travel, the America the Beautiful Annual Pass is worth the money. For those who don’t get that time off from work, that’s ok too. They make excellent gifts for people that love to enjoy our National Parks. Please share your experiences in the comment section below.

-CT

The405

voyager