Ready to purchase a national park pass? Visiting America’s national parks and other federal public lands is one of the great joys of RV travel. But figuring out the different park passes available can be confusing—especially after several changes implemented in 2026.
If you’d prefer a full walkthrough of how national park passes work, including the new changes for 2026, you can watch our detailed explanation below.
From the standard America the Beautiful Annual Pass to special passes for seniors, military members, and people with disabilities, there are several options that can save you money depending on how often you visit federal recreation sites.
Here’s a clear breakdown of the national park pass system in 2026, including new rules, pricing updates, and how to choose the right pass for your travel plans.
What Is the America the Beautiful Pass?
The America the Beautiful Pass, sometimes called the Interagency Pass, provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States.
These sites are managed by several federal agencies, including:
- National Park Service (NPS)
- U.S. Forest Service
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The pass generally covers entrance fees and standard amenity fees at these locations.
However, it does not cover:
- Camping fees
- Tours
- Boat launches
- Special permits
- Concessionaire-operated facilities
Those are considered enhanced recreation fees, though some pass types offer discounts.
It’s also important to note that these passes do not typically apply to state parks, county parks, or city parks, which are managed by different agencies.
If you’re planning a visit to a National Park during peak travel season, especially some of the more popular parks, check out our guide to visiting national parks in the summer, which includes plenty of strategies for avoiding crowds.
America the Beautiful Annual Pass (Standard Pass)
The standard Annual Pass is the most common option for travelers visiting national parks and federal recreation areas.
Annual Pass Pricing (2026)
- U.S. residents: $80 per year
- Non-U.S. residents: $250 per year
Both passes are valid for one year from the date of purchase.
Children 15 and under are always admitted free.
What the Annual Pass Covers
The pass provides entrance for:
- One private vehicle with up to four adults, or
- Up to four adults entering without a vehicle, or
- Up to four adults on two motorcycles
Only one signature is allowed on the pass, and the passholder must present a matching photo ID at the entrance gate.
Acceptable ID for resident passes includes:
- U.S. state or territory driver’s license or ID
- U.S. passport (book or card)
- Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
New Non-Resident Entry Fees at Major National Parks
Beginning in 2026, non-U.S. residents face an additional fee at 11 of the most popular national parks.
These parks include:
- Grand Canyon
- Yellowstone
- Zion
- Yosemite
- Glacier
- Rocky Mountain
- Acadia
- Everglades
- Grand Teton
- Bryce Canyon
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon
The new charge is $100 per person (age 16+), in addition to the regular entrance fee.
For example:
A group of four international visitors entering Yosemite might pay:
- $35 vehicle entrance fee
- $100 per person non-resident fee
Total: $435 for a 7-day visit
However, purchasing the $250 non-resident annual pass waives the $100 fee, making it the better option for many international travelers.
Digital National Park Passes
Passes can now be purchased in two formats.
Physical Pass
Available at:
These are mailed passes or purchased in person at federal recreation sites.
Digital Pass
Available through:
Digital passes can be downloaded to a mobile device and used immediately.
However, they come with a few drawbacks.
Some recreation areas—particularly trailheads in national forests—use self-pay stations where visitors must display a pass on their dashboard. Because digital passes cannot easily be displayed in a vehicle, visitors are encouraged to print a copy of the pass.
For this reason, many travelers still prefer a physical pass.
One benefit of digital passes is that they cannot be lost or damaged, since they remain tied to your digital account.
When an Annual Pass May Not Be Worth It
Not every traveler needs an annual pass.
Many national parks charge $30–$35 for a 7-day entrance fee, so if you only plan to visit one park in a year, paying the standard entrance fee may be cheaper.
Some parks also offer park-specific annual passes, which can be a good option for locals. For example, frequent visitors to Yellowstone can purchase a Yellowstone Annual Pass for less than the national pass.
If you’re planning to RV in the area, we’ve also put together a guide to the best campgrounds near Yellowstone National Park for RV travelers.
Free Annual Passes for Volunteers and Fourth Graders
Some groups qualify for a free annual pass.
Volunteers
U.S. residents who complete 250 volunteer hours on federal public lands in a year can receive a free annual pass.
Every Kid Outdoors Pass
Fourth graders (and homeschooled children age 10) can participate in the Every Kid Outdoors program, which provides a free pass for the student and their family.
Families must:
- Visit everykidoutdoors.gov
- Print the voucher
- Exchange it for a pass at a participating federal recreation site
Senior Pass (Age 62+)
The Senior Pass is one of the best values in the federal recreation system.
Available to U.S. residents age 62 or older, it comes in two forms.
Senior Pass Pricing
- $20 annual pass
- $80 lifetime pass
Annual passes can also be upgraded toward a lifetime pass. For example, four annual passes equal the cost of the lifetime pass.
Senior Pass Benefits
In addition to free park entry, senior pass holders receive 50% off many federal recreation fees, including:
- Campgrounds
- Boat launches
- Tours
- Picnic shelters
This discount applies at:
- National parks
- U.S. Forest Service campgrounds
- Bureau of Land Management sites
- Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds
- Fish and Wildlife Service facilities
Concessionaire-operated services may not honor the discount.
Access Pass (Disability Pass)
The Access Pass is a free lifetime pass available to U.S. residents with a permanent disability.
The benefits are the same as the Senior Pass:
- Free park entry
- 50% off camping and many recreation fees
Documentation is required when applying.
Examples include:
- A physician’s statement describing the disability
- Social Security Disability documentation
- VA disability documentation
- State disability agency records
Military and Veteran Passes
Members of the U.S. military community also receive special passes.
Active Duty Military
Active duty service members and their families can receive a free annual pass.
Veterans and Gold Star Families
Veterans and Gold Star Families qualify for a free lifetime pass.
Acceptable identification includes:
- Veteran designation on a state driver’s license
- VA identification card
- Veteran ID card issued by the VA
These passes cover park entry only and do not include additional discounts.
Where to Buy a National Park Pass
There are three main ways to get a pass.
Online
- store.usgs.gov – physical passes
- recreation.gov – digital passes
Online purchases typically include a $5 verification fee plus $7.50 shipping.
In Person
Passes are sold at many national parks and federal recreation sites.
Purchasing in person also means 80% of the money stays at that park, helping support maintenance and visitor services.
What Happens If You Lose Your Pass?
Unfortunately, most passes cannot be replaced if lost.
If you lose a:
- Senior lifetime pass
- Annual pass
- Access pass
You will generally need to purchase or reapply again, including submitting documentation for special passes.
Digital passes avoid this problem because they remain linked to your account.
A Few Important Exceptions
There are some situations where national park passes do not cover fees.
For example:
Mount Rushmore National Memorial charges for parking, not park admission.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has free park entry, but visitors must purchase a parking tag if stopping anywhere in the park.
Some guided tours and transportation services operated by concessionaires also require separate fees.
Choosing the Right National Park Pass
For many RV travelers, the $80 America the Beautiful Annual Pass pays for itself after visiting just three national parks.
But depending on your situation, another pass may be a better choice.
- Frequent national park visitors: Annual Pass
- Age 62+: Senior Pass
- Permanent disability: Access Pass
- Military, veterans, Gold Star families: Military Pass
- Families with fourth graders: Every Kid Outdoors Pass
Understanding these options can help you save money and make the most of America’s public lands.
