The national parks annual pass costs $80
The America the Beautiful annual pass costs $80 for US citizens and residents in 2026. It covers entrance fees and day use fees at national parks and other federal recreation lands for 12 months. At a park that charges per vehicle, it covers everyone in your car. At a park that charges per person, it covers you and 3 other adults.
America the Beautiful pass prices
| Resident annual pass | $80 |
|---|---|
| Non-resident annual pass | $250 |
| Senior annual pass (62+) | $20 |
| Senior lifetime pass (62+) | $80 |
| Military, Access, 4th grade and volunteer passes | Free |
| Mail order handling, USGS Store | $7.50 per order |
| Resident pass bought by mail | $87.50 |
|---|
Passes are non-refundable, cannot be transferred, and are not replaced if lost. Bring photo ID. Camping, timed entry and tour fees are not covered. Sources: National Park Service, Entrance Passes; U.S. Department of the Interior, 2026 national park access announcement; USGS Store, America the Beautiful recreational passes.
What this price covers
The pass works at federal recreation lands run by six agencies, not only national parks: the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers. Physical passes are sold at over 1,000 federal sites.
What changes your price
- Residency. Nonresidents pay $250.
- Age. US residents 62 and older can get a $20 annual or $80 lifetime pass.
- How you buy. Buying by mail adds a $7.50 handling fee. In person and digital passes skip it.
Ways to pay less
- Buy a digital pass on Recreation.gov to use it right away.
- Pick up a pass at a park entrance to avoid the mail handling fee.
- Two free entrance days remain in 2026 for US residents: October 27 and November 11.
How we got these numbers
Every fee on this page comes from the government agency that charges it, or from the federal rule that sets it. Where we show a total, we only add up the agency's own fees so you can see the full amount in one place. We do not add our own guesses. Fees can change, so check the agency's website before you pay. We last checked on September 26, 2026.
Common questions
How much is the America the Beautiful pass?
$80 for US residents.
Does it cover everyone in my car?
Yes, where parks charge per vehicle.
Does it cover camping?
No. It covers entrance and standard day use fees.