If you love to explore America’s national parks, forests and monuments, there’s an easy way for you to save on visiting these national recreational lands. By purchasing an annual pass from the USGS store, you’ll save on national park entrance fees, plus some amenities.
Choose the annual pass that works best for you:
General Interagency Annual Pass ($80)
Most national park visitors will benefit from selecting this pass, officially called the America The Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass. There are no restrictions on who can purchase this pass, and it will grant access to over 2,000 parks and areas.
Interagency Senior Pass ($10 – $20)
Did you know that seniors over the age of 62 can spend as little as $10 for a lifetime pass to federal parks and lands? The Senior Pass is the best way to sightsee throughout America in your retirement years.
Annual Military Pass (Free)
Members of the U.S. Military can show their Military ID or CAC to receive a free annual pass. This is a wonderful way that the National Park Service and USGS thanks military members for their service. If you’d like to get a free parks pass, show your credentials at a federal recreation site.
Access Pass (Free)
Americans with permanent disabilities can also receive a free Interagency Annual Pass. Many of the 2,000 national parks and lands are accessible. Those interested must apply for a pass via mail or visit a park in person.
Volunteer Pass (Free)
Another way to receive a free Interagency Annual Pass is to give back! After volunteering with the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management or the Bureau of Reclamation for at least 250 service hours, you can qualify for a free national parks pass.
My husband and I recently visited seven national parks on our honeymoon, and we were able to save more than $100 on our visits. Plus, our America The Beautiful pass is good for a full calendar year, so we’re already planning more trips to national parks, forests and preserves. With more than 2,000 parks to visit with the annual pass, there’s no better way to save on national parks travel!
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