America the Beautiful - National Park Pass Review

IS THE PARK PASS WORTH IT?

You may or may not have heard of the National Park Pass, and if you haven’t, this is the place to get all the information you can! We have had the National Park Pass each year since 2016. I honestly don’t remember where or when we heard about it, but I am so glad we did. I would say there are many pros to purchasing this pass, but obviously some cons as well, so here is a list of all the PROS and CONS for the American the Beautiful National Park Pass:

Bryce Canyon National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Glacier National Park

PROS

• There are six different types of National Park Passes

  • 1. Regular Annual Pass: This is for anyone 16 years of age or older. $80 for the year.

  • 2. Military Annual Pass: $10 processing fee online, or free at any park entrance.

  • 2.1 Military Lifetime Pass: $10 processing fee online, or free at any park entrance. See website for further detail on what documentation is required.

  • 3. Lifetime Senior Pass: This is for anyone 62 or older (verification is required). $80 total.

  • 3.1 Annual Senior Pass: $20 each year. You can save old passes to get a discounted Lifetime senior price.

  • 4. Access Pass: This is for those with permanent disabilities. Free for a lifetime. Verification of permanent disability is required. See website for what documentation is approved.

  • 5. Volunteer Pass: This pass is for volunteers with 250 service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program.

  • 6. 4th grade Pass: This is for 4th graders, home schooled or attending a physical school 10 years of age. This pass is free.

• If you are planning a trip where you will go to a more than one National Park $80 compared to $20-$40 per National Park saves you money, and that is what matters.

• You can purchase these passes either at a National Park entrance, or on the American the Beautiful website.

• Provides access and entrance to over 2,000 Federal recreation sites.

• Senior and Access passes can provide further discounts to some campsites.

• If you go to more than 2 National Parks per year, this makes sense to get!

CONS

• Only one pass holder is allowed per card purchased. (This has changed since last year, sadly, as up to two people could sign and be present for the use of the card).

• You nered to renew each year (unless you have access to the lifetime passes).

• If you have more than one vehicle, you will need a pass for each one.

• Some Federally owned lands do not take part in the National Park Pass, so you will have to pay extra for these “parks.” (ex. Mount Rushmore).

All in all, this is worth the price of purchasing each year. If you travel often, and like to visit several National Parks per year, this is worth getting. I cannot emphasize this enough, GET THE CARD. In our opinion the pros outweigh the cons, unless you don’t visit National Park’s that often.