The annual pass gets you into more than just 1 national park. Here’s what all you can do with the annual pass.
Recently, I found out that we can do a lot more than just go to the major National Parks with it. I wish I had found out sooner.
If you plan to visit more than two federally protected or managed lands within one year, an annual pass is the way to go. Entrance fees into major national parks is anywhere between free and $35 per car.
We passed up several opportunities to use our annual pass because I thought I could only use it at National Parks. We could have gone to Gulf Islands National Seashore, Fort Pickens, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge, and so many other locations.
Now that I know, we will have many more adventures soon.
Types of Passes Offered
Passes for Everyone
Anyone can purchase the Annual Pass for $80. You do not have to be a US citizen to purchase this pass.
This is the one that my family purchased. On the back of the card, there is a place for two names, so I can go with or without Kevin. Although, we like to do things as a family, sometimes, it is just Luka and me.
Even though, this card can have 2 owners, they do not have to be married or related. Their names just have to be on the back of the card.
This type of pass does not have any additional waived fees or discounts.
The annual pass expires 12 months after purchase, ending on the last day of the month of purchase.
Passes for Senior Citizens
Senior citizens, ages 62 and older, can get an Annual Seniors Pass for $20 or a Lifetime Seniors Pass for $80. In order to qualify for either of these passes, you must be a US citizen or permanent resident, and you must show proof of age and residency/citizenship…an US identification card or driver’s license should suffice.
Personally, I would go with the lifetime pass, and I’m guessing a lot of seniors would choose the same.
Both passes allow for you to get a discount of up to 50% off on different services within the parks, such as camping and guided tours, among other services. It is best to check with each park to make sure which discounts are included in which activities. Discounts associated with the passes are not available at the bookstores or gift shops located within the parks.
The annual pass expires 12 months after purchase.
Passes for Military Personnel
Annual Military Passes are FREE for those who are active service members of the US Armed Forces, including the Reserves and National Guards. Military members’ dependents are also included, as well as, US Military Cadets. You will have to show a valid DoD CAC card or DD Form 1137 in order to get this pass.
The Military Lifetime Pass is FREE only to Gold Star Families and US Veterans. You must present a Gold Star Voucher or a valid DoD CAC card, DD Form 2, DD Form 2765, VHIC, Veteran ID, or state-issued ID or driver’s license with a Veteran designation on it. DD 214 is not accepted for this pass.
These passes do not have any additional waived fees or discounts.
The annual pass expires after 12 months.
Passes for Those With Disabilities
The Access Pass is FREE for all persons with permanent medical disabilities. Proof of permanent disability must be provided in order to qualify for this pass.
Proof of permanent disability can be in the form of documentation provided by your physician, Social Security Disability Income, Supplemental Security Income, Veteran’s Administration, or a vocational rehabilitation agency. Handicap placards is not accepted as proof of a permanent disability.
The pass allows the pass owner to get a discount of up to 50% off on different services within the parks, such as camping and guided tours, among other services. It is best to check with each park to make sure which discounts are included in which activities. Discounts associated with the passes are not available at the bookstores or gift shops located within the parks.
The annual pass expires after 12 months.
Passes for Volunteers
Volunteers with over 250 recorded volunteer hours qualify for a FREE Volunteer Annual Pass. You can only qualify for this pass, if you volunteer with a federal agency that participates in the Interagency Pass Program. Those federal agencies are listed below in the Which Agencies are Part of the Interagency Pass Program? section. The pass is only available through the volunteer coordinators.
This type of pass does not have any additional waived fees or discounts.
The annual pass expires after 12 months.
Passes for 4th Graders
Unfortunately, I did not find out about this program until recently. I wish I had known, but now that I know, I will be sharing it with everyone!
The US National Park Service really wants to involve more children in getting outdoors and enjoying the beauty of our country.
To obtain the FREE Annual 4th Grade Pass, you must provide a printed voucher, which you will get once your 4th grader completes the Every Kid Outdoors activity. You can find the activity and voucher here: https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm. They will not accept a digital copy or picture of the voucher, so you must make sure to print it out. The qualifying 4th grader may be a public school student, private school student, homeschooler, or a free-choice learner and must be 10 years old.
Unlike other annual passes, which expire 12 months after purchase, this pass only covers the 4th grade school year and following summer (September through August).
This type of pass does not have any additional waived fees or discounts.
How Can I Purchase These Passes?
You can purchase them online, however, it may be better to purchase in-person.
We purchased ours at the entrance gate of Zion National Park. It only took an extra minute or two, but it was well worth it. I’m an in-person kind of person, so that’s another reason that we chose this option.
If you go to a park, where there is not a staffed entrance gate, you can usually purchase them in the visitor’s center.
There is a $10 processing fee charged when purchasing the passes online, so it will cost a little more. You will also have to wait for your card to be mailed to you (5 to 10 business days). In other words, if you choose to purchase it online, make sure you do at least 2 weeks ahead of your trip.
Your name will be printed on the passes that you purchase online. When you purchase in-person, you will have to write your name(s) on the passes right then. You will not be able to use the card if your name(s) are not on the card.
Can I Give a Pass as a Gift?
Yes, but the only pass that you are able to give as a gift is the Annual Pass for everyone. The other passes require identification, such as military, age, or disability, which only the pass owner can provide.
How Many People Can Enter with a Pass?
When it is a per vehicle fee, only one vehicle is permitted with a pass. There can only be a total of 4 adults, including the pass holder, in the vehicle. Children (15 years old and under) are always FREE.
With the exception of the 4th Grade Pass, when it is a per person fee, up to 4 adults (ages 16 and up), including the pass holder, and the children (15 years old and under) are FREE. Those being covered by the pass must be in the same vehicle. If you have more than 4 adults in the vehicle, the per person fee will be required for each additional adult.
Which Agencies are Part of the Interagency Pass Program?
There are 6 federal agencies are the only ones that accept the passes listed on this blog post: US Forest Service, US National Park Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Bureau of Land Management, US Fish & Wildlife Services, and US Bureau of Reclamation.
State and local recreational areas and sites are not part of the pass program.
What if I Lose My Pass?
Unfortunately, the US National Park Service does not give refunds or replace lost passes. You will have to either pay the entry fee each time or purchase a new pass.
Where Can I Use My Pass?
The passes will cover entry fees into National Military Parks (we just used ours at the Vicksburg National Military Park); National Wildlife Refuges; National Parks; National Forests, Wetlands, and Grasslands; Bureau of Land Management areas; Bureau of Reclamation sites; and US Army Corps of Engineer sites.
There are more than 2,000 locations across the US where you can use your pass. These locations include National Historical Sites and Parks, National Monuments, federal lands, and other areas managed by the 6 named federal agencies.
**When I mention vehicle, I mean personal, non-commercial vehicle.**
For more information on all of these passes, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm or https://store.usgs.gov/faq#US-Military.
We hope that you have found this post to be informative and helpful. Always be sure to do your own research before you travel.
