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Help me choose an entrance pass

Choosing an Entrance Pass

Do you have or qualify for a discounted america the beautiful pass.

If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass.

• America the Beautiful Pass

How often do you plan to visit national parks in the next 12 months?

If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.

Entrance Passes

• Standard Pass
• Annual Pass

Standard Entrance Pass

$15.00–$25.00

Private Vehicle $25.00

In-person purchase locations.

White Sands Entrance Station

Cash or Credit/Debit

Per Person $15.00

Motorcycle $20.00, for organizations & businesses, commercial van (7-15 seats) $50.00, commercial mini-bus (16-25 seats) $60.00, commercial motor coach (26+ seats) $150.00.

Annual Entrance - Park

America the beautiful—the national parks and federal recreational lands pass.

Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by

• National Park Service
• US Fish & Wildlife Service
• US Forest Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation
• US Army of Corps of Engineers

Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers One private vehicle fee or Four per person fees

America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen . Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass.

How to Get an America the Beautiful Pass

In person (recommended).

Passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites.

Purchase and pickup locations

Order Online, Receive by Mail

To receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store or by phone: 1-888-275-8747 , extension 1. Hours of operation are 8 am to 4 pm Mountain Time.

2024 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

• Monday, January 15 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Saturday, April 20 — First Day of National Park Week
• Wednesday, June 19 — Juneteenth
• Sunday, August 4 — The Great American Outdoors Act
• Saturday, September 28 — National Public Lands Day
• Monday, November 11 — Veterans Day

America the Beautiful Alternate Passes

These passes are your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A pass covers entrance, standard amenity fees, and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free. The following passes admit a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free.

• Interagency Annual Pass for US Military: Free - Annual pass covering entrance and standard amenity fees for all national parks and other federal fee areas. Free to current US military personnel and their dependents with proper identification (current CAC Card or qualified DD Form 1173 required).

United States Armed Forces Veterans and Gold Star Families: Free - All United States Armed Forces Veterans and Gold Star Families have free access to national parks and other federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior. One of the following identifcations is required:

Department of Defense Identification Card;

Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC);

Veteran ID Card; or

Veteran's designation on a State-issued driver's license or identification card.

Interagency 4th Grader Pass: Free - Available to U.S. 4 th Graders (including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age). Valid for the duration of the 4 th grade school year through the following summer (September to August). Passes can be obtained at the Every Kid Outdoors website.

Interagency Senior Pass:

$80 - Lifetime admission and discount pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are age 62 and older.

$20 - Annual admission and discount pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are age 62 and older.

Interagency Access Pass: Free - Lifetime admission and discount pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with documentation of permanent disability.

Interagency Volunteer Pass: Free - Annual pass for volunteers with 250 cumulative service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program.

Learn more about the America the Beautiful - the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program . The Interagency Passes listed here have replaced the Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access Passports, as well as the National Parks Pass. These passes will remain valid until they expire or are lost or stolen.

Special Permits and Reservations

Certain types of activities require a special use permit or reservation. These include many types of organized gatherings, commerical activities, filming and photography, distribution of printed material, public expressions of opinion, and other activities that are controlled or prohibited. Examples include: weddings, other ceremonies or public assemblies, events sponsored by an organization for which the park acts as the venue, and more. Permit Fees are non-refundable and are based on an annual cost recovery analysis approved by the Superintendent. These fees include the cost of permit processing, administration, and the basic monitoring of events. Information on all permits and reservations can be found on the Permits & Reservations page .

Last updated: March 28, 2024

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Contact info, mailing address:.

PO Box 1086 Holloman AFB, NM 88330

575 479-6124

Stay Connected

These 16 U.S. national parks have no entrance fees

From Florida to Alaska, these parks don't charge admission fees and are always free to enter

By Roadtrippers

National parks are protected for everyone to enjoy, but a visit to one can be expensive. As an example, it’s $35 to bring a car full of people into Grand Canyon National Park, or $20 per individual if you hike in, and that doesn’t account for parking fees, camping costs, or the price of lodging and extra activities. 

However, a handful of national parks don’t charge admission fees at all. Here are 16 national parks in the U.S. that are always free to enter (but keep in mind that there might still be other costs, including boat rentals, camping permits, or parking fees).

1. North Cascades National Park, Washington

A state road runs through North Cascades National Park , so it’s free to visit. Even if you don’t leave the main road, you’ll still get jaw-dropping views—but take some time to enjoy a hike or two. Visit Diablo Lake with its crystal-clear, electric blue water; see a glacier; and enjoy the rugged alpine beauty.

Related The fragile glacial world of Washington’s North Cascades National Park

2. Redwood National Park, California

Redwood National Park is often grouped with the various state parks nearby, but the national park is the only unit in the group offering free admission. Backcountry camping permits to almost every site (except Gold Bluffs Beach) are also free. Just pack in your gear and get ready to spend the night among the peaceful giants in the forests.

3. Channel Islands National Park, California

While admission to Channel Islands National Park is technically free, you’ll need to pay for a ferry ride to the islands and likely rent kayaks and other gear when you get there (or you can bring your own kayak on the ferry for an additional fee). Santa Cruz is the largest island in the park, offering trails, sea caves, and historical sites, as well as one-of-a-kind views of the California coast.

4. Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Ancient bristlecone pines, glacier-capped mountains, incredible stargazing—it’s all free in Great Basin National Park . You can book a tour of the epic Lehman Caves in advance, which will set you back a few dollars, but with so many lakes and hikes to check out here, you don’t need to spend any money to have fun.

5. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

Hot Springs National Park is located in an urban setting, and you may need to spend some money on parking fees, but admission to walk around and explore is free. The park’s visitor center, in the historic Fordyce Bath House , gives you get a good idea of what it was like to visit Hot Springs in its heyday. A trip to a privately-run bathhouse isn’t too expensive—around $30 per person—but you can sample the mineral water for free.

Related A city within a park: Arkansas’ Hot Springs National Park turns 100

6. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Similar to Channel Islands, Voyageurs National Park is free to visit—once you get there. It’s mostly accessible by boat, so bring or rent a kayak or canoe, or charter a ride out to one of the visitor centers. There are options for hiking, but boating among the waterways and islands is also enjoyable. In the winter, you can snowmobile, snowshoe, or ski across the frozen lakes to reach the main body of the park.

Related Want a unique winter thrill? Try driving an ice road across a frozen lake in Voyageurs National Park

7. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Ohio’s only national park, Cuyahoga Valley , is a haven of natural beauty and serenity. The old Ohio and Erie Canal travels through it, and the park’s most famous hike follows the canal’s towpath. There are waterfalls, shady groves of trees, historic farmsteads, and even a scenic train ride through the park. The park is bike-friendly, so bring your bike along (or rent one nearby).

8. New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia

The newest national park in the U.S., New River Gorge , was upgraded from a national river in 2020. Located in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, the park is centered around the dramatic New River Gorge and features countless outdoor recreation opportunities—many of which won’t cost you a dime. Hike or bike one of the park’s scenic trails, admire the views of the New River Gorge Bridge , go whitewater rafting on the New River, or drive the historic Fayette Station Road.

9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains is consistently the most-visited national park in the country. Entrance to the park is free, but visitors will likely be charged parking fees starting in 2023. Cruise Cades Cove for historic sites and stunning views and tour the mysterious abandoned ghost town of Elkmont while you visit.

Related An insider’s guide to hidden gems in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

10. Congaree National Park, South Carolina

A visit to South Carolina’s Congaree National Park is otherworldly. Check out the Boardwalk Trail for views of the unique ecosystem. With swamps and forests, you can canoe around the park as well—sunrise is the best time to spot wildlife.

Related Finding solace in the old-growth forest of Congaree, one of the least-visited national parks in the U.S.

11. Biscayne National Park, Florida

Sure, 95 percent of Biscayne National Park is underwater, but it’s free to visit. The visitor center is home to movies, art galleries, museum exhibits, walking paths, boat tours, and a porch with rocking chairs where you can relax and enjoy the views of Biscayne Bay.

12. Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska

Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic National Park is free to visit, but it’s only accessible by bush plane, and there are no roads or trails. That all seems to matter less when you consider that a visit here is the ultimate extreme bucket list goal. You get to experience the Arctic tundra, and you get to say that you’ve been to the northernmost national park.

13. Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska

Kobuk Valley ‘s unique landscapes of sand dunes and tundra, archaeological sites, and incredible wildlife make it worth a visit. If you plan to stay for more than a day, you’ll need cold weather wilderness survival gear and skills. In the winter, you can only access the park via plane, snow machine, or dogsled.

14. Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

Lake Clark National Park is a free-entrance alternative to the more famous Denali National Park . Brown bears, salmon runs, historic sites, lakeshore beauty, and steamy volcanoes make a visit here extra special.

15. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska

At 13 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the biggest national park in the U.S.—in fact, it’s the size of Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the country of Switzerland combined. Summer might technically only last 2 months or so here, but you won’t mind the cold as you spot volcanoes and glaciers, tour ghost towns, and soak in the rugged landscape.

16. Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

Kenai Fjords is a quick trip away from Seward, Alaska, and even though it’s most commonly seen on a tour or excursion, you can hike the Harding Icefield Trail or go on a ranger-led tour—for free.

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Free entrance to national parks for current military, veterans, and gold star families, embed video.

The National Park Service in partnership with Operation Live Well would like to thank military personnel and their families for their service and invite them to enjoy their national parks.

The free Military Pass is a way to thank current US military members and their dependents, Gold Star Families, and US military veterans for their support of our country and to encourage them to explore recreational opportunities on their public lands and waters.

A free lifetime Military Pass is available for Gold Star Families and US military veterans. A free annual Military Pass is available for current US military members and their dependents. The passes provide free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests.

What is the Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Family Free Access Program?

Current US military and dependents, Gold Star Families, and US military veterans are eligible to receive free annual or lifetime passes which cover entrance or day use fees at national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and other federal recreational lands.

Who is eligible to get a free Military Annual Pass?

Current members of the US Armed Forces and their dependents can enter national parks for free with an Interagency Military Annual Pass through the America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass (Interagency) Program. There are a total of eight Interagency Passes available. For more information and to obtain these passes, please visit the USGS Online Store .  

Who is eligible to get a free Military Lifetime Pass as a veteran?

For purposes of this program, a veteran is identified as an individual who has served in the US Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves. There is no application or form to fill out to receive the Military Lifetime Pass. Simply present one of the following forms of identification to get the Interagency Military Lifetime Pass when entering a national park:

• Unexpired Department of Defense Identification Card (DD Form 2, DD Form 2765, or Next Generation USID replacement)
• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
• Veteran ID Card
• Veterans designation on a state-issued US driver’s license or identification card

Find places to get an Interagency pass , including sites that issue the Military Lifetime Pass.

Who is eligible to get a free Military Lifetime Pass as a member of a Gold Star Family?

Gold Star Families are next of kin of a member of the US Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a “qualifying situation,” such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the US Armed Forces. Eligibility requirements are in section 3.2 of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36.

How does a member of a Gold Star Family get a free Military Lifetime Pass?

Before visiting a national park site, Gold Star Family members must download and print a voucher to present to park staff, exchange for an Interagency Military Lifetime Pass, or place on the vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites (representations of the voucher are prohibited; the physical voucher or pass must be present). By downloading and signing the voucher, Gold Star Family members are self-certifying that they meet the required criteria as identified in sections 3.2 and 3.3 of  Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36 .

View a list of federal locations that issue passes . 

Download the Gold Star Family Voucher .

Gold Star Family members can obtain a free Military Lifetime Pass online through the  USGS Online Store . There is a processing fee for passes ordered through the USGS Online Store.

Does the pass include others traveling with the veteran or Gold Star Family member?

The free Military Lifetime Pass admits the veteran or the holder of the Gold Star Family voucher as well as occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle OR the veteran or voucher-holder and three persons (16 and older) where per person fees are charged. The passes are non-transferrable and are void if altered.

What agencies are participating in the free Military Pass program?

The program waives entrance or standard amenity fees for the following agencies:

• National Park Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation
• US Fish and Wildlife Service
• US Forest Service
• US Army Corps of Engineers

How long will free access be available?

Veterans and Gold Star Families receive free lifetime access.

What is covered by the free Military Pass program?

The Gold Star voucher and Military Lifetime Pass cover entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands and on lands managed by the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and US Army Corps of Engineers.

What is not covered by the free Military Pass program?

The pass does not cover expanded amenity fees such as camping, tours or special recreation permits; reservation fees and fees for organized groups or concession-operated facilities or activities.

Are passes available for disabled veterans or other people with disabilities?

Yes. The Interagency Access Pass is a lifetime pass that is free for any US citizen or permanent resident, including a veteran or Gold Star Family member, who has a permanent disability. An Access Pass may also provide discounts for expanded amenities like camping, guided tours etc. For more information visit USGS Online Store - Access Pass .

What if I have a current Interagency Military Pass or other type of Interagency Pass?

If you already have a Military Pass, Access Pass, or one of the other Interagency Passes, you can simply use that pass for free access.

If you have recently purchased an Interagency Annual or Senior Pass, unfortunately no refunds are permitted.

All Interagency Passes are non-transferable.

Explore military history in national parks, learn about our military heritage, and find opportunities for veterans in parks.

Learn all the options for entrance passes, including a free entrance pass for current U.S. Military personnel and their dependents.

Begin planning your trip to national parks with information to find parks, events, maps, fees and passes, trip ideas, and more.

Last updated: November 30, 2023