The America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass is your ticket to recreation opportunities on more than 2,000 national parks and other public lands locations. The pass provides you access to public lands managed by six federal agencies: the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Each pass covers entrance fees along with standard amenity and day use fees for up to four adults, including the pass holder. Children age 15 or under are always admitted free.
There are six different passes that give you access to public lands:
- Annual Pass: For $80, this pass covers unlimited entrance fees and recreation fees for one full year, beginning from the month of purchase. Learn more about the Annual Public Lands Pass.
- Senior Pass: The Senior Pass covers lifetime admittance to public lands for anyone 62 years or older. Starting on August 28, 2017, the lifetime Senior Pass increased to $80. Purchase the Senior Pass at any federal recreation site that charges an entrance or standard amenity (day use) fee, or online (and extra $10 processing fee will be added to the price). Additionally, there is a new annual Senior Pass for $20. That pass is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Four annual Senior Passes purchased in consecutive years can be traded in for a lifetime pass. Learn more about the Senior Public Lands Pass.
- Military Pass: Free to all current military personnel and dependents with proper identification, the Military Pass covers all entrance fees and daytime use fees at public lands for one full year. Learn more about the Military Public Lands Pass.
- Annual 4th Grade Pass: Fourth graders across the nation can gain free admission to public lands — along with their families — for the duration of the 4th grade school year through the subsequent summer. Learn more about the Annual 4th Grade Public Lands Pass.
- Access Pass: A free, lifetime pass is available to U.S. citizens who have been medically determined to have a permanent disability that limits one or major life activities. Learn more about the Access Public Lands Pass.
- Volunteer Pass: Volunteers who have accumulated 250 hours at one or more recreation sites managed by the six federal agencies qualify for the Volunteer Pass. This pass covers unlimited entrance fees for 12 months from the month of issuance. Learn more about the Volunteer Public Lands Pass.
One hundred percent of the revenue generated from sales of the America the Beautiful public lands pass directly benefits the parks, and at least 80 percent stays at the park where the pass was purchased. Fees help support critical investments in improving and enhancing federal recreation sites nationwide.
You can obtain your pass from federal recreation sites that charge entrance or amenity fees, online (and an extra $10 processing fee will be added to the price) or select third party vendors.
Whether you’re a hiker, a boater, a bird watcher, an angler or a photographer, the public lands pass provides a convenient and inexpensive way to enjoy the thousands of recreation opportunities available on our nation’s public lands. Get out and explore America.
