The United States has 63 National Parks, 423 National Parks sites, and over 2000 recreational sites spread across the United States. They provide a wonderful opportunity to take in the beauty of the United States and learn about so much of the history along the way. The America the Beautiful pass is an annual pass that provides admission to all of these sites for one year.
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What is the American the Beautiful Pass?
The America the Beautiful Pass provides admission to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States. It covers entrance fees to National Parks and day-use fees at National Forests and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. You can see all the sites the pass covers here.
How Much is the America the Beautiful Pass?
The America the Beautiful Pass costs $80 for a year. The pass can have two pass holders (people who must be present when using the pass). It covers the admission for up to 4 people with the pass holder.
Why buy the America the Beautiful Pass?
Not only do the proceeds of this pass go towards continuing to care and preserve the National Parks, but this pass will also save you so much money if you plan on visiting multiple National Park sites throughout the year. Admission to National Parks is usually around $30/car for a 7-day pass. By visiting 3 National Parks, the America the Beautiful Pass has already paid for itself.
Where to buy the America the Beautiful Pass?
The pass can be bought upon the first admission to any of the National Parks. The pass is good for one year from the month you buy it, so make sure to time the purchase with a visit to your first park. For example, if you buy the pass in June 2021, the pass will be good through June 2022.
- In-Person at any of the National Parks
- Over the phone between 8am and 4pm MST at 888-ASK-USGS (1-888-275-8747). Choose extension 2.
- Online at the USGS store.
- Some stores such as REI sell the pass as well.
Other Passes
Military Pass
If you are an active military member, you can get an annual pass for free. Military members can get their pass at most of the National Park sites by showing their military ID.
Annual 4th Grade Pass
Students in the 4th grade can receive a free annual pass for their 4th grade school year. To get a pass, you must fill out the form at the Every Kid Outdoors website. You can then print out the paper pass and exchange it for an annual pass at most National Park sites. Note that you must have a hard copy of the pass in order to be able to exchange it for the annual pass.
Senior Pass
US Citizens aged 62 and older can get an annual pass for $20 or buy a lifetime pass for $80. This can be bought in person at the National Parks, online through the USGS store, or through the mail by filling out this form.
Access Pass
US Citizens with permanent disabilities can receive a free annual pass. This can be obtained in person at the National Parks, online through the USGS store, or through the mail by filling out this form.
Shaka Guide
Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for several of the Utah Parks. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them.
National Parks Posts
Interested in visiting some National Parks? Check out these posts to start exploring where you want to go. California also has the most National Parks out of any state, so you could always start out with a California National Parks road trip.
Arches National Park
Location: Utah
Best Time to Visit: Spring or Early Fall
Days Recommended: 2 days
Best Hike: Devil’s Garden Trail
Best Photo Opp: Delicate Arch
Badlands National Park
Location: South Dakota
Best Time to Visit: Fall or Spring
Days Recommended: 1
Best Hike: Notch Trail
Best Photo Opp: Door Trail
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Location: Colorado
Best Time to Visit: Late Summer/Early Fall
Days Recommended: 1 Day
Best Hike: Oak Flat Trail
Best Photo Opp: Cross Fissures View
Bryce Canyon National Park
Location: Utah
Best Time to Visit: Late Spring/Early Summer
Days Recommended: 1-2 Days
Best Hike: Navajo Loop Trail
Best Photo Opp: Bryce Point
Canyonlands National Park
Location: Utah
Best Time to Visit: Spring or Early Fall
Days Recommended: 1-2 Days
Best Hike: Grand Viewpoint Trail
Best Photo Opp: Mesa Arch
Capitol Reef National Park
Location: Utah
Best Time to Visit: Late Summer-Fall
Days Recommended: 1-2 Days
Best Hike: Sulphur Creek
Best Photo Opp: Cassidy Arch
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Location: New Mexico
Best Time to Visit: Anytime but April-October if you want to see the bats
Days Recommended: 1 Day
Best Hike: Natural Entrance Route
Best Photo Opp: Big Room
Channel Islands National Park
Location: California
Best Time to Visit: Spring/Fall
Days Recommended: 1-2 Days
Best Hike: Smuggler’s Cove
Best Photo Opp: Potato Harbor
Crater Lake National Park
Location: Oregon
Best Time to Visit: Summer
Days Recommended: 1 Day
Best Hike: Cleetwood Cove Trail
Best Photo Opp: The Watchman Overlook
Gateway Arch National Park
Location: Missouri
Best Time to Visit: Anytime
Days Recommended: 1 Day
Best Hike: N/A
Best Photo Opp: The Top of the Arch
Grand Canyon National Park
Location: Arizona
Best Time to Visit: Fall
Days Recommended: 1 per Rim
Best Hike: Bright Angel Trail
Best Photo Opp: Hopi Point
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Location: Texas
Best Time to Visit: Spring or Fall
Days Recommended: 1-2 Days
Best Hike: Devil’s Hall
Best Photo Opp: Hiker’s Staircase or Guadalupe Peak
Haleakala National Park
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Best Time to Visit: Winter
Days Recommended: 1-2 Days
Best Hike: Keonehe‘ehe‘e (Sliding Sands) Trail
Best Photo Opp: Summit/Pa Ka’oao Overlook
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Location: Hawaii
Best Time to Visit: Anytime
Days Recommended: 1-2 days
Best Hike: Kilauea Iki Hike
Best Photo Opp: Crater Rim Trail
Indiana Dunes National Park
Location: Indiana
Best Time to Visit: Late Spring or Early Fall
Days Recommended: 1 day
Best Hike: Dune Succession Trail
Best Photo Opp: Century of Progress Homes
Joshua Tree National Park
Location: California
Best Time to Visit: Fall or Spring
Days Recommended: 2 days
Best Hike: Barker Dam
Best Photo Opp: Cholla Cactus Garden or anywhere with Joshua Trees
Kings Canyon National Park
Location: California
Best Time to Visit: Summer
Days Recommended: 1 Day
Best Hike: Big Stump Basin Trail
Best Photo Opp: Panoramic Point
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Location: California
Best Time to Visit: Summer
Days Recommended: 1-2 Days
Best Hike: Bumpass Hell
Best Photo Opp: King’s Creek
Mammoth Cave National Park
Location: Kentucky
Best Time to Visit: Summer
Days Recommended: 1
Best Hike: River Styx
Best Photo Opp: Historic Tour
Olympic National Park
Location: Washington
Best Time to Visit: Summer
Days Recommended: 2 Days
Best Hike: Hoh Rain Forest
Best Photo Opp: Rialto or La Push Beaches
Pinnacles National Park
Location: California
Best Time to Visit: Late Spring/Early Summer
Days Recommended: 1 Day
Best Hike: Bear Gulch Trail
Best Photo Opp: Bear Gulch Reservoir
Rocky Mountain National Park
Location: Colorado
Best Time to Visit: Late Winter-Early Fall
Days Recommended: 2-3
Best Hike: Emerald Lake Trail
Best Photo Opp: Bierstadt Lake Trail
Saguaro National Park
Location: Arizona
Best Time to Visit: Fall-Spring
Days Recommended: 1 Day
Best Hike: Valley View Overlook Trail
Best Photo Opp: Valley View Lookout
Sequoia National Park
Location: California
Best Time to Visit: Summer
Days Recommended: 2 Days
Best Hike: Congress Trail
Best Photo Opp: Morro Rock
Shenandoah National Park
Location: Virginia
Best Time to Visit: Spring-Fall
Days Recommended: 2
Best Hike: Bearfence Mountain Trail
Best Photo Opp: Stony Man Trail
White Sands National Park
Location: New Mexico
Best Time to Visit: Fall/Spring
Days Recommended: 1 Day
Best Hike: Alkali Flat Trail
Best Photo Opp: Alkali Flat
Wind Cave National Park
Location: South Dakota
Best Time to Visit: Anytime
Days Recommended: 1
Best Hike: Natural Entrance Tour
Best Photo Opp: Natural Entrance Tour
Yosemite National Park
Location: California
Best Time to Visit: Fall or Late Spring
Days Recommended: 2 Days
Best Hike: Yosemite Falls
Best Photo Opp: Glacier Point
Zion National Park
Location: Utah
Best Time to Visit: Summer
Days Recommended: 2 Days
Best Hike: The Narrows
Best Photo Opp: Angel’s Landing
The America the Beautiful Pass will enable you to see so many of the National Parks in the United States while saving a ton of money. It makes for some great vacations and even more fantastic memories. What is your favorite USA National Park?
Wow, this price is unbelievably cheap.