Is the America The Beautiful Pass Worth It?
America The Beautiful Pass might be one of the best-kept secrets about National Parks! There is no doubt that the national parks of the United States are fantastic destinations. Visitors will be astonished after visiting the National Parks that America offers. The scenery of each park is dramatically different, and all have unique attributes. As Americans and visitors plan their vacations, the main question is how much does each park cost? Most American National Parks have an entry fee. While not excessive, the costs start to add up if you visit a few.
You can reduce the cost of visiting these fantastic places using America the Beautiful Pass, but how? Over 2,000 federally protected areas are included in America the Beautiful Pass series. It is available annually or for life, providing the holder access to more than 2,000 parks!
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What is America the Beautiful Pass?
America, the Beautiful Pass is ideal for anyone who plans to visit more than two national parks in a year. It is one of the best ways to save money when visiting National Parks. In addition to covering entry for national forests and grasslands, America the Beautiful Pass covers entrance fees to some wildlife refuges. It is a cost-effective pass to have in your wallet if you are traveling through America and planning to see National Parks.
You can buy America the Beautiful Pass for only $80 for one year. Then, with the pass, you can enjoy all the National Parks for the whole year. Here’s another benefit! Most entrance fees are per car vs. per person. America, the Beautiful Pass, will get the pass holder in and up to three passengers!
And, if you are over 62, you can buy the lifetime America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass for seniors for $80. Yes, you read that right! Once you hit 62 and buy the pass, you own it for life.
What Does it Cost to Enter an American National Park?
The average entrance fee for National Parks in America is between $10 and $45. Typically, prices are on a per-car basis rather than per person.
So let’s take a look at the cost of entrance to some of the most popular National Parks:
- Grand Canyon: One of the most stunning locations in the United States is the Grand Canyon. All visitors must pay a fixed entrance fee of $35 per vehicle.
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Guadalupe Mountains National Park doesn’t charge a vehicle fee. This national park levies a $10 per person entrance fee instead of a car fee.
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park: This is another beautiful National Park in the U.S. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park charges $30 per vehicle.
- Chaco Culture National Park: Chaco Culture is one of the most stunning and historically significant National Parks in the United States. The park charges $25 per vehicle.
- Death Valley National Park: This popular park charges $30 per vehicle.
- The Great Smoky Mountains: One of the few outstanding national parks without an entrance fee is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. So, this one’s free!
- Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park: To enter Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Park, all visitors must pay a $10 entrance fee.
- Glacier National Park: The pass fee of Glacier National Park is $35 per vehicle.
Glacier National Park
- Acadia National Park: Acadia National Park costs $30 per vehicle.
- Hovenweep National Monument park: The entrance fee to Hovenweep National Monument Park is $20 for each vehicle.
- Whiskeytown National Recreation Area park: Whiskeytown National Recreation Area park charges $25 per car.
- Zion National Park: The entrance to Zion National Park costs $35 per automobile.
- Devils Tower National Monument: The cost per car for Devils Tower National Monument is $35.
- Dinosaur National Monument: It costs $25 per vehicle to enter the Dinosaur National Monument.
- Everglades National Park: Everglades National Park charges $30 per car.
- Fort McHenry National Monument & Historic Shrine: The per-vehicle fee for McHenry National Monument is $45.
- Petrified Forest National Park: The entrance to Petrified Forest National park costs $25 per automobile.
How Much Does America the Beautiful Pass Cost?
It costs $80 per year.
If you want to explore several National Parks, America the Beautiful Pass is definitely for you. For $80, you can purchase a yearly pass to the National Parks. The year of use begins the day you buy. For example, a September 2023 purchase of an America the Beautiful Pass will be valid through September 2024. It is cost-effective. It makes traveling with a family extremely affordable.
Where to Buy America the Beautiful Pass?
You can purchase America the Beautiful Pass at many recreational locations, including most National Parks. Or, you can call 1-888-275-8747 to purchase the pass.
Or, you can purchase the pass online at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) store.
How to Use the National Park Pass?
You will receive the card via mail, but you can use your purchase receipt for entry if you head out before it arrives. The card must be shown to the gatekeeper at the entrance after entering the National Park. After checking America the Beautiful Pass, they will return the card with some directions or a map.
What Does America the Beautiful Pass Cover?
America, the Beautiful Pass covers entrance for one non-commercial vehicle for up to four adults.
The pass provides access to national monuments, national forests, national grasslands, national parks, and other areas under the management of the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management.
Before traveling, a tourist should always confirm the admission requirements for that particular park. It is essential to keep in mind that America the Beautiful Pass only covers the entrance price. Additional costs incurred inside the national park are not covered by it.
How Does America the Beautiful Pass Save Your Money?
The entrance charge to a National Park costs between $10 and $45. The famous and well-known parks tend to be on the higher end.
Let’s assume you are a group of four, and one of you has the pass. You only need to visit two or three parks to make it worth the $80. Naturally, the more parks you visit, the bigger the savings.
What is a Senior Pass, and What Does it Include?
Citizens in the United States who are 62 years old or older can purchase a Senior America the Beautiful Pass.
The Senior Pass is officially known as America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. This pass has replaced the Golden Age Passport.
It costs $80, but it’s a lifetime pass.
America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
The best benefit of the Senior lifetime cost of $80 is associated with the standard senior pass. Senior citizens can visit any national park in the USA once they have obtained this lifetime senior pass.
If you are on a tight budget, you could opt for the annual senior pass, which costs $20. The yearly card is also great if you plan a year on the road!
What Are Additional Discounts Available?
- Military pass. It costs $10. It is eligible for military members who are in service. U.S. Army, Navy, Airforce, and National Guard with a DoD Common Access Card.
- Disability Pass: U.S. citizens and residents who are disabled can get a lifetime free pass.
Which Parks Are Included in America the Beautiful Pass?
America, the Beautiful Pass will give you access to all the parks managed by the NPS, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Army Corps of Engineers. America the Beautiful Pass covers more than 2000 sites in the U.S. Here is some on the list:
- Acadia National Park
- Canaveral National Seashore
- Castillo De San Marcos National Monument
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
- Christiansted National Historic Site
- Colorado National Monument
- Crater Lake National Park
- Denali National Park & Preserve
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park
- Florissant Fossil Beds National
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
- Saint Gaudens National Historic Site
- San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
- San Juan National Historic Site
- Sequoia-Kings Canyon National parks
- Shenandoah National Park
- White Sands National Park
- Wupatki National Monument
Beautiful National Parks to Visit in the U.S.
As discussed, there is no shortage of parks in America; there are over 2,000! Here are a few of the most treasured that should be on your list:
Grand Canyon National Park
A trip to Grand Canyon National Park is exhilarating to experience. Because of its powerful and inspiring nature, this is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the USA. Its dimensions are 277 river miles (446 km) long, 18 miles (29 km) wide, and one mile deep (1.6 km).
The magnificence of the park cannot be adequately captured in one day. Booking a few extra days is advised for anyone planning to visit the National Park. Explorers won’t be disappointed after visiting the Grand Canyon National Park.
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in Alaska is a paradise for hikers. This park has more than 740 miles (1200 km) of trails for intrepid travelers seeking adventure and tranquillity. This park is full of diversity. This ice park supports thriving populations of moose, mountain lions, wolves, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and grizzly and black bears. The sheer volume of various animals attracts anyone who has even a little bit of interest in animals. But most visitors are here to see the icy landscape.
Haleakala National Park
On Maui, the second-largest island in Hawaii, you may climb this volcano and stroll above the clouds across a surreal desert with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. The beautiful, starry heavens visible at night are possibly even more spectacular than Haleakala’s famous sunsets. Threatened species like the Nene, often known as the Hawaiian geese, are also protected by the National Park.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is only a few miles from Yellowstone National Park. Visitors can hike more than 320 kilometers at fantasy mountain. You can view grizzly bears and enjoy the Snake River. Grand Teton National Park has the benefit of being smaller than its neighbor Yellowstone while still being equally stunning.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is a beautiful place. In the center of Olympic National Park, you can travel through some of America’s most significant tracts of wet rainforest. In addition to gorgeous Pacific Ocean beaches with bright tidal pools, you may also see majestic mountains with massive glaciers and alpine flower fields. Every nature lover must visit the Olympic National Park minimum of once a lifetime.
FAQs
Closing Thoughts
So now you know! If you are a person that loves the great outdoors, you really should buy America the Beautiful Pass and start saving today!
Looking for more posts on National Or State Parks ? Start here:
- 10 Rivers of Florida Worth Exploring
- The 20 Best Places to Kayak in Florida
- Dry Tortugas, Florida
- Mackinac Island – Michigan
- Sand Dunes in Michigan
- Yellowstone National Park – The Most Beautiful Park In America
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