The america the beautiful pass covers entrance or standard day-use fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. As of November 2026, the Resident Annual Pass costs $80 for U.S. citizens and residents; the Non-Resident Annual Pass costs $250. It covers one private vehicle or four adults at per-person sites.
What is the America the Beautiful pass?
It is the federal lands pass for national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, BLM lands, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and Army Corps recreation areas that charge entrance or standard amenity fees. The official name is the America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, and the National Park Service also calls it an interagency pass on its official entrance passes page.
Think of it as one card for many fee booths. If you hike in several federal fee areas in a year, it can pay for itself fast. If you only visit one park once, a single-site entrance pass may be cheaper.
How much does the America the Beautiful pass cost in 2026?
The standard Resident Annual Pass costs $80 as of November 2026. The Non-Resident Annual Pass costs $250 as of November 2026. Those prices are listed by the National Park Service and the USGS Store recreational passes page.
| Pass type | Who can get it | Price as of November 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass | U.S. citizens and U.S. residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass | Non-U.S. residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass | U.S. citizens and residents age 62 and older | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass | U.S. citizens and residents age 62 and older | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass | Current U.S. military members and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass | Veterans and Gold Star Family members | Free |
| Access Pass | U.S. citizens and residents with a permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass | U.S. 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
If you buy a physical pass through the USGS Store, shipping and handling fees may apply. As of November 2026, USGS lists a $7.50 handling charge on Resident and Non-Resident Annual Pass orders, and some free or discounted passes may carry processing and handling fees when ordered online.
What does the america the beautiful pass cover?
It covers entrance fees and standard amenity fees, also called day-use fees, at participating federal recreation sites. As of November 2026, NPS says the pass is honored at fee sites managed by six agencies: National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
At a site that charges by vehicle, one pass covers the passholder and passengers in one private, non-commercial vehicle. At a site that charges per person, one pass covers the passholder plus three adults, for a total of four adults. Children age 15 and younger are admitted free, as listed on the official USGS Resident Annual Pass page.
- Covered: entrance fees at national parks that charge entrance fees.
- Covered: standard day-use fees at many federal trailheads, forests, refuges, reservoirs, and recreation areas.
- Usually not covered: camping, cabins, developed campground fees, group sites, hookups, boat launches, tours, and special recreation permits.
- Not a reservation: timed-entry reservations, vehicle reservations, tour tickets, and permit lotteries still require their own booking if the site requires them.
Is the pass the same as a national park pass?
Yes, in common trail talk, but it is broader than a national park pass. A park-specific pass usually works at one national park or one park group, while an America the Beautiful Pass works across participating federal recreation lands nationwide.
If your whole year is one park, check that park’s own annual pass first. If your year includes Yosemite, a Forest Service trailhead, a wildlife refuge, and a BLM canyon, the interagency pass is the cleaner tool.
Where can you buy an America the Beautiful pass?
You can buy it online or in person. As of November 2026, the National Park Service says physical passes are available at more than 1,000 federal recreation sites, but hours and pass inventory can vary, so check before you drive to a ranger station or fee booth.
- For the fastest start, buy a digital pass through Recreation.gov’s official pass page. Recreation.gov says digital passes can be saved to a phone or tablet and used immediately.
- For a physical pass by mail, order through the USGS Store. NPS says mailed physical passes may take up to three weeks to process and deliver as of November 2026.
- For a same-day physical pass, use the NPS official pass purchase and pickup locations tool, then contact the location to confirm hours and availability.
- If you are buying a discounted or free eligibility-based pass, bring the required proof of age, residency, military status, disability, school grade, or volunteer hours.
What should you bring to use the pass?
Bring the pass and photo ID. As of November 2026, NPS says America the Beautiful Passes are non-transferable, non-refundable, and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
- Your signed physical pass, or your saved digital pass if you bought the digital version.
- Valid photo ID that matches the passholder.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or residency if you are using a Resident Annual Pass and staff ask to verify eligibility.
- A backup payment method for fees the pass does not cover.
- Any timed-entry reservation, wilderness permit, shuttle ticket, campsite booking, or tour reservation required for that destination.
If you forget the pass, a receipt or photo of a physical pass may not get you through the gate. USGS says order confirmations, credit card receipts, and hangtags without the pass are not valid for entrance or use.
When is the America the Beautiful pass worth it?
It is worth it when your covered entrance and day-use fees for the year will exceed the pass price. As of November 2026, that break-even number is $80 for a U.S. citizen or resident buying the Resident Annual Pass.
Run the math before you buy. Two or three big national park entrances can put you close. Add one fee-area forest trailhead or refuge visit, and the card starts looking good. For non-U.S. residents, the $250 Non-Resident Annual Pass takes more trips to justify, unless your itinerary hits several fee parks that also charge nonresident fees.
For hikers, the strongest use case is a mixed public-lands year: a spring desert road trip, summer alpine trailheads, fall national park weekends, and winter wildlife refuge walks. One card. Less fuss.
Related reading
- What Does the America the Beautiful Pass Cover?
- National Park Pass Changes for 2026
- Every Kid Outdoors: The Free 4th Grade National Park Pass
- Logan Pass and Going-to-the-Sun Road: Opening and Access
FAQ
How long is the America the Beautiful Pass valid?
An annual pass is valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. As of November 2026, USGS says the Resident Annual Pass expires on the last day of that month one year later.
Does the America the Beautiful Pass cover camping?
No, the standard annual pass generally does not cover camping. Senior and Access Pass holders may receive discounts on some expanded amenity fees, but those discounts vary by site and do not usually apply to concessioner fees or special recreation permits.
Can two people share one pass?
No, passes are non-transferable. The passholder must be present, and staff may ask for photo ID when you enter or use a fee site.
Does the pass cover everyone in my car?
Usually yes, if the site charges a private-vehicle entrance fee. At per-person fee sites, it covers the passholder plus three adults; children age 15 and younger are admitted free as of November 2026.
Can I use the pass for timed entry at national parks?
No, the pass does not replace a required timed-entry reservation or vehicle reservation. It covers the entrance fee, but you still need any separate reservation, permit, or ticket the park requires.
Should I buy online or at the park?
Buy online through Recreation.gov if you need a digital pass immediately. Buy in person if you want a physical card the same day, but call ahead because hours and pass availability can change.