Everything You Need to Know About the Annual America the Beautiful Pass

I'm that person who much prefers experiences over products. Sure, there are plenty of things out there that I find to be useful, but when it comes to a particular item or brand, I'm often ambivalent. On the other hand, when I discover something so useful that I can't believe I ever lived without it, I am among the first to share it with just about everyone I know.

One example is AllTrails—especially the enhanced Peak or Plus versions. It's great for easy fingertip navigation with my smartphone, plus much more. My favorite product, however, requires no technology and, depending on your travel habits, can save you hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars every year. I am talking about the America the Beautiful Pass.

What is the America the Beautiful Pass?

I like to describe the America the Beautiful Pass as the single best bargain that lovers of public lands can buy. It's an annual interagency pass that allows holders to visit sites administered by several federal agencies—including the National Park Service, the National Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service—without paying an additional entrance fee. That's right: You pay one single fee each year, and you can visit just about any federally-administered public lands for free.

How does the America the Beautiful Pass work?

Using your America the Beautiful Pass is super easy. You simply present it, along with your ID, at the entrance station to the federal fee area you're visiting. For fee areas that don't have a manned station, you can just leave your pass on the dashboard of your car or suspend it in a clear plastic hanger from your rearview mirror. That's it.

You'll want to note that some limitations apply to the America the Beautiful Pass. It is non-transferable: You'll be asked to sign the back when you purchase it, and as I mentioned, you need to present your ID with your pass when you enter a park. Your pass will cover one passenger vehicle and all its occupants or, if you're entering the park on foot, a group of up to four hikers. Finally, it's essential to note that the pass only applies to entrance fees and does not cover additional costs, such as camping reservations, Recreation.gov convenience fees, or parking (when applicable).

How much does an America the Beautiful Pass cost?

As of 2025, a standard America the Beautiful Pass costs $80 and includes a year's worth of entry fees. Seniors 62 and older who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents can purchase an annual pass for $20 or a lifetime pass for $80. Current members of the U.S. military, their dependents, Gold Star Family members and veterans, U.S. citizens and permanent residents with permanent disabilities, and U.S. fourth graders all qualify for free America the Beautiful Passes. You can also put in 250 service hours as a volunteer at a federal recreation site to earn a free America the Beautiful Pass. Visit the National Park Service website for more information on discounted and free passes.

Is an America the Beautiful Pass worth it?

When you consider that some of the most popular parks, like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Zion, Everglades, and Acadia, charge entry fees of $35 per passenger vehicle, the savings can add up pretty quickly. For example, if you wanted to visit Utah's Zion National Park on one day and nearby Bryce Canyon the next—or even later the same day—it could cost you as much as $70. If you wanted to hit all of the "Big Five" Utah parks, you're looking at upwards of $150 in entrance fees, alone. With an America the Beautiful Pass, you don't have to worry about it. You could visit all five, tack on Grand Canyon National Park and make stops at other sites like Natural Bridges or Cedar Breaks National Monuments, or Glen Canyon National Recreation Area—at no additional cost.

Last year, for example, during a weeklong trip to the Seattle area, I visited Mt. Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks, as well as the Ape Cave Interpretive Site at Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The entrance fees to these sites alone would have added up to $65. I've since visited Pictured Rocks and Apostle Islands National Lakeshores, as well as Great Basin and Death Valley National Parks, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area. These would have totaled an additional $120 in entrance fees. Thanks to my America the Beautiful Pass, I saved $105 in one year.

Where can I buy an America the Beautiful Pass?

Many national parks and other federal agency headquarters sell them. Strangely, though, many do not—especially those that don't charge entry fees. For example, I have been turned away at both Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (which does charge a fee) and Great Smoky Mountains National Park when I've tried to buy a pass. I have been able to purchase one in person at several western national parks, as well as at my local national wildlife refuge (Minnesota Valley NWR) headquarters when I needed one ASAP before traveling. You may also purchase America the Beautiful Passes at REI.

I usually just order one online, though, a couple of weeks ahead of my next visit to a federal fee area. The AllTrails Gear Shop is where I get mine. It offers a bundle that includes both an America the Beautiful Pass and an AllTrails Plus membership—two of my favorite things in one package—for only $99.

If you're planning on visiting more than one or two national parks or other federal fee areas in the next year, I cannot recommend the America the Beautiful Pass strongly enough. It's like a key to the most beautiful parts of our country.

Ready to explore? Plan your own national parks trip with the Only In Your State itinerary planner.