America The Beautiful Pass

The America the Beautiful Pass is an annual pass that provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States, including national parks, national wildlife refuges, and national forests. Here’s a breakdown of its key details:

America The Beautiful Pass Cost

Annual Pass: $80 per year. It covers entrance fees for the pass holder and up to three accompanying adults at most sites.

Discounted Passes:

• Senior Pass: $20 annual or $80 lifetime (for U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 62 or older).
• Access Pass: Free for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.
• Military Pass: Free for current U.S. military members and their dependents, veterans, and Gold Star Families.
• 4th Grade Pass: Free for U.S. 4th graders and their families during the school year.
• Volunteer Pass: Free for volunteers who have 250 service hours with federal agencies.

Coverage

The pass covers entrance fees, standard amenity fees, and day-use fees at:

• National Parks
• National Forests
• National Wildlife Refuges
• Other federal recreation sites

List of national parks you can use America The Beautiful Pass to covers entrance fees

1. Acadia National Park
2. Arches National Park
3. Badlands National Park
4. Big Bend National Park
5. Biscayne National Park
6. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
7. Bryce Canyon National Park
8. Canyonlands National Park
9. Capitol Reef National Park
10. Carlsbad Caverns National Park
11. Channel Islands National Park
12. Congaree National Park
13. Crater Lake National Park
14. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
15. Death Valley National Park
16. Denali National Park
17. Dry Tortugas National Park
18. Everglades National Park
19. Gates of the Arctic National Park
20. Gateway Arch National Park
21. Glacier Bay National Park
22. Glacier National Park
23. Grand Canyon National Park
24. Grand Teton National Park
25. Great Basin National Park
26. Great Sand Dunes National Park
27. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
28. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
29. Haleakala National Park
30. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
31. Hot Springs National Park
32. Indiana Dunes National Park
33. Isle Royale National Park
34. Joshua Tree National Park
35. Katmai National Park
36. Kenai Fjords National Park
37. Kings Canyon National Park
38. Kobuk Valley National Park
39. Lake Clark National Park
40. Lassen Volcanic National Park
41. Mammoth Cave National Park
42. Mesa Verde National Park
43. Mount Rainier National Park
44. National Park of American Samoa
45. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
46. North Cascades National Park
47. Olympic National Park
48. Petrified Forest National Park
49. Pinnacles National Park
50. Redwood National Park
51. Rocky Mountain National Park
52. Saguaro National Park
53. Sequoia National Park
54. Shenandoah National Park
55. Theodore Roosevelt National Park
56. Virgin Islands National Park
57. Voyageurs National Park
58. White Sands National Park
59. Wind Cave National Park
60. Wrangell—St. Elias National Park
61. Yellowstone National Park
62. Yosemite National Park
63. Zion National Park

Exclusions: The pass does not cover expanded amenity fees such as camping, boat launch, or guided tours.

You can purchase it online, at many national park visitor centers, or from participating vendors.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an America the Beautiful access pass?

The America the Beautiful Access Pass is a free, lifetime pass available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have a permanent disability. It grants access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the U.S., including national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and more.

2. How do I buy an America the Beautiful Pass?

You can purchase the pass:

• Online at the USGS Store.
• In person at many national parks or federal recreation sites.
• By phone at 1-888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747).
• At select REI stores.

3. What places are covered by the America the Beautiful Pass?

The pass grants access to more than 2,000 sites, including national parks (like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon), national wildlife refuges, national forests, and other federally managed lands across the U.S.

4. Who qualifies for free or discounted America the Beautiful Passes?

Free passes are available for:

• U.S. military members, veterans, and Gold Star Families.
• U.S. 4th graders and their families (4th Grade Pass).
• U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities (Access Pass).

Discounted passes:

• U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 62 or older can get a Senior Pass ($20 for an annual pass or $80 for a lifetime pass).

5. Does the America the Beautiful Pass cover camping fees?

The pass covers entrance fees but does not typically cover camping fees, boat launches, or other expanded amenity fees, though some sites may offer discounts on those for pass holders.

6. What is the difference between the Annual Pass, Senior Pass, and Access Pass?

• Annual Pass: $80 per year, available to anyone.
• Senior Pass: $20 for an annual pass or $80 for a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 62+.
• Access Pass: Free lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a permanent disability.

7. How do I renew or replace an America the Beautiful Pass?

• The Annual Pass needs to be repurchased each year, while lifetime passes like the Senior Pass and Access Pass do not expire.
• If you lose your pass, you can replace it by contacting the USGS Store or visiting a federal recreation site that issues passes.

8. Can the America the Beautiful Pass be transferred to someone else?

No, the pass is non-transferable. It must be signed and used by the pass holder, but it covers the pass holder and up to three accompanying adults.

9. How long is the pass valid?

• The Annual Pass is valid for 12 months from the month of purchase.
• The Senior Lifetime Pass and Access Pass are valid for life and do not need to be renewed.

10. How many national parks can you use the America the Beautiful Pass at?

The pass can be used at more than 400 national parks and over 2,000 federal recreation sites in total across the U.S.

11. Can I use America the Beautiful Pass at Yellowstone?

Yes, you can use the America the Beautiful Pass at Yellowstone National Park.

12. Does America the Beautiful Pass cover Olympic National Park?

Yes, the America the Beautiful Pass does cover Olympic National Park. This pass provides access to Olympic National Park and covers the entrance fee for the pass holder and passengers in a private vehicle.

13. Does a US National Park pass cover camping?

No, a US National Park pass, such as the America the Beautiful Pass, typically does not cover camping fees.

14. Is Monument Valley included in America the Beautiful pass?

Monument Valley is not included in the America the Beautiful Pass. This is because Monument Valley is not a national park or federal recreation site. So you can’t buy Monument Valley America the Beautiful Pass.

15. Does America the Beautiful pass work for Washington State Parks?

No, the America the Beautiful Pass does not work for Washington State Parks

16. Does Yosemite accept the America the Beautiful pass?

Yes, you can use the America the Beautiful Pass at Yosemite National Park.