MANTEO, NC-National Parks Passes (NPP) are now available for purchase at the National Park Service visitor centers and campgrounds on the Outer Banks. The $50 NPP admits the bearer and family members or other traveling companions in a car or camper to any of the more than 140 national park sites that charge entrance fees. In parks where a per person entrance fee is charged, the Pass admits the Pass holder, spouse, children and parents. It is not transferable and not valid for other fees in parks, such as camping, tours, and concessions.
"We are proud to be able to offer the National Parks Pass to our local community," said Outer Banks NPS Group Superintendent Francis Peltier. "The Pass is a great value. It will allow our local neighbors to see the wonderful diversity of national parks around the country at the same time that it helps our Outer Banks parks fund projects that improve the visitor experience within the parks. Purchasers also receive a PopOut US Map showing all 370 national parks, a Proud Partner vehicle decal, and a GoParks Newsletter free subscription offer."
The NPP costs $50 and is good for one year from date of purchase. A majority of the cost (70%) stays in the park where it is purchased, to be used for improvements. The other 30% is deposited into the national fee demo fund to support parks in the system that do not have entrance fees.
The NPP can also be purchased online at www.nationalparks.org, or by telephone at 1-888-GO-PARKS. For an additional $15, the purchaser will receive a hologram sticker for the NPP that upgrades the pass to a Golden Eagle, good for entrance to public recreation areas managed by other federal agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service and the Army Corps of Engineers.