Buy it digitally at Recreation.gov for immediate use, order a physical pass through the USGS Store, pick one up at 1,000+ federal recreation sites, or check REI for eligible physical passes. As of November 2026, U.S. residents pay $80; nonresidents pay $250. National Park Service entrance passes (nps.gov)
Where can I buy a national park pass right now?
You can buy a national park pass online, in person at participating federal recreation sites, or through select retailers.
The pass most hikers mean is the America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. As of November 2026, it covers entrance fees and standard amenity day-use fees at lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. NPS pass rules (nps.gov)
Your best buying option depends on how soon you leave:
| Where to buy | Best for | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation.gov | Last-minute trips | Digital pass you can save to your phone, plus physical-pass options where available |
| Federal recreation site | Buying at the gate or visitor center | Physical pass, if that site sells or issues the pass you need |
| USGS Online Store | Planning ahead | Physical pass mailed to you |
| REI | Picking up a pass while buying gear | Physical passes when stocked |
Do not assume every entrance station has every pass in stock. As of November 2026, the NPS says pickup locations can have limited hours and limited pass availability, so call ahead if you’re cutting it close. NPS pass pickup locations (nps.gov)
Can I buy a national park pass online?
Yes, and online is the cleanest option if you want the pass before you reach the park.
As of November 2026, Recreation.gov sells the Interagency Annual Pass and site-specific digital passes for many parks and federal lands. Recreation.gov says the Interagency Annual Pass is valid for a full year through the month of purchase, must be carried with you if physical, and does not discount camping, permit, or ticket reservations. Recreation.gov Buy a Pass (Recreation.gov)
Use this simple route:
- Go to Recreation.gov’s pass page.
- Choose the America the Beautiful pass or a site-specific pass for one park.
- Pick digital if you need it now, or physical if you want a card.
- Save the digital pass to your phone before you drive into a canyon, forest, or mountain valley with spotty service.
- Bring photo ID. As of November 2026, NPS says passholders must show valid photo identification with each America the Beautiful pass. NPS pass identification rules (nps.gov)
You can also order most interagency passes through the USGS Online Store. That works if you are not in a hurry. As of November 2026, NPS says USGS online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered, and receipts cannot be used instead of the physical pass. NPS online ordering guidance (nps.gov)
Can I buy a national park pass at the park entrance?
Often, yes—but do not gamble your whole trip on one booth.
As of November 2026, NPS says physical America the Beautiful passes can be purchased or picked up at more than 1,000 federal recreation sites. That includes many national parks, monuments, forests, wildlife refuges, BLM sites, and other fee sites. NPS places to get interagency passes (nps.gov)
Here’s the catch. A pass-selling location is not a promise that the booth will be open when you roll in at sunrise, after dark, or during winter staffing changes. Small entrance stations can run out. Visitor centers can close for weather, construction, or staffing. Some parks use automated fee machines or online-only options for certain passes.
Smart move: search the NPS pickup map, call the site, and ask the blunt question: “Do you sell the America the Beautiful Annual Pass today?” If you need a Senior, Access, Military, 4th Grade, or Volunteer Pass, ask for that exact pass. Not every site issues every type.
What does the America the Beautiful pass cost in 2026?
As of November 2026, the standard annual price is $80 for U.S. citizens and residents and $250 for non-U.S. residents.
The current NPS pass table lists these America the Beautiful options:
| Pass type | Who it is for | Price as of November 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass | U.S. citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass | Non-U.S. residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass | U.S. citizens and residents age 62+ | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass | U.S. citizens and residents age 62+ | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass | Current U.S. military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass | U.S. citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass | U.S. 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
Those prices are from the NPS Entrance Passes page, verified for November 2026. NPS America the Beautiful pass prices (nps.gov)
What does a national park pass actually cover?
It covers entrance fees and standard amenity day-use fees at participating federal recreation sites.
That is the useful part. One pass can get you into national parks, national monuments, national forests that charge day-use fees, many wildlife refuges, BLM areas, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation areas. As of November 2026, NPS says coverage depends on how the site charges fees: one private vehicle fee, two motorcycles, or four per-person fees. NPS pass coverage (nps.gov)
It does not turn the whole outdoors into one free-for-all. Plan to pay separately for things like:
- Camping reservations
- Backcountry permits
- Timed-entry reservations
- Guided cave tours, boat tours, or ticketed programs
- Concessionaire fees
- Parking or shuttle systems not covered by the pass
As of November 2026, Recreation.gov states that the Interagency Annual Pass does not provide discounts for camping, permit, or ticket reservations. NPS also says Senior Pass discounts generally do not cover special recreation permit fees or concessioner fees. Recreation.gov pass details (Recreation.gov) NPS Senior Pass details (nps.gov)
Should I buy the annual pass or a single-park pass?
Buy the annual pass if you’ll visit multiple fee sites in the same year; buy a single-park pass if this is a one-park trip.
As of November 2026, NPS separates three common choices: a standard pass for one national park for 1–7 days, a park-specific annual pass for one park or park group where available, and the America the Beautiful pass for multiple federal recreation sites. NPS entrance pass comparison (nps.gov)
Here’s the quick trailhead math:
- If you’re visiting one park once, check that park’s entrance fee first.
- If you’re visiting two or more big-fee parks in a year, the annual pass often pays for itself fast.
- If you live near one favorite park, check whether that park sells its own annual pass.
- If you’re 62 or older and eligible, look hard at the Senior Lifetime Pass.
- If you need timed entry, buy or reserve that separately even if you already have a pass.
That last point matters. A pass gets you past the fee, not past every access rule. As of November 2026, NPS says some high-traffic parks use timed-entry systems or tour reservations, typically through Recreation.gov, and you should check reservation requirements before your trip. NPS reservations and timed entry (nps.gov)
Can I buy an REI national park pass?
Yes, REI sells some park passes, including America the Beautiful passes when available, but stock and pass types can vary.
If you search for “REI national park pass,” you’ll usually land on REI’s park passes page. As of November 2026, REI lists park passes for sale and notes that Co-op Members may receive the typical annual member reward on eligible purchases, though the reward is not guaranteed. REI park passes
REI is handy when you want a physical pass before a road trip and you’re already stopping for fuel canisters, socks, maps, or a new headlamp. Still, treat it like a retailer, not the final authority on federal pass rules. For eligibility, coverage, nonresident rules, free passes, and replacement rules, use NPS, Recreation.gov, or USGS.
Before you drive across town, check the product page or call the store. Ask if they have the current-year America the Beautiful pass in stock and whether it is the resident or nonresident version you need.
What changed for non-U.S. residents in 2026?
Non-U.S. residents now have a separate annual pass price and extra fees at 11 heavily visited parks.
As of November 2026, NPS says the America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass costs $250. NPS also says non-U.S. residents age 16 and older must pay a $100 nonresident fee, in addition to the regular entrance fee, at Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. NPS nonresident fees (home.nps.gov)
The $250 nonresident annual pass can make sense fast if your itinerary includes several of those parks. It covers the whole vehicle, two motorcycles, or the passholder plus three additional adults where per-person fees are charged, as of November 2026. NPS nonresident annual pass rules (nps.gov)
What should I bring when using your pass?
Bring the pass, photo ID, and any separate reservation your trip requires.
Pack the boring stuff. It saves the day.
- Your physical pass or digital pass saved offline
- Photo ID that matches the passholder
- Timed-entry reservation, if required
- Camping, backcountry, or tour permit, if required
- Credit card or payment backup for fees the pass does not cover
- Proof of eligibility for Senior, Access, Military, 4th Grade, Volunteer, or Resident passes, if requested
As of November 2026, NPS says America the Beautiful passes are non-refundable, non-transferable, cannot be replaced if lost or stolen, and require valid photo ID when used. NPS pass terms (nps.gov)
Related reading
- 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
- Parks Canada Discovery Pass: Price and Coverage
FAQ
Where is the fastest place to buy a national park pass?
Recreation.gov is usually the fastest because you can get a digital America the Beautiful pass and use it immediately. As of November 2026, NPS says digital passes from Recreation.gov can be saved to a mobile device and used right away. NPS digital pass guidance (nps.gov)
Can I buy a national park pass as a gift?
You can buy many physical annual passes as gifts, but eligibility-based passes are different. As of November 2026, NPS says Senior Passes may not be purchased as gifts because the eligible recipient must show proof of eligibility. NPS Senior Pass rules (nps.gov)
Do kids need a national park pass?
Usually, no. As of November 2026, Recreation.gov says children 15 years and under are always admitted for free when using the Interagency Annual Pass rules. Recreation.gov Interagency Annual Pass (Recreation.gov)
Does the pass cover camping?
No, not for the standard annual pass. As of November 2026, Recreation.gov says the Interagency Annual Pass does not provide discounts for camping, permit, or ticket reservations. Recreation.gov pass details (Recreation.gov)
Is the pass good for every national park?
It is good for entrance fees at national parks that charge entrance fees, but it does not replace reservations or permits. As of November 2026, NPS says most NPS sites are free to visit, some require an entrance pass, and a few high-traffic sites may also require reservations. NPS entrance passes (nps.gov)