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TRANSITION TO CASHLESS FEE COLLECTION: Beginning January 1, 2024, the park will transition to a cashless fee collection system, accepting only electronic card payments for entrance, lake use, and campground fees. Entrance stations will continue to sell passes but will no longer accept cash for payment.
Plan Your Visit
Key Information
Choosing an Entrance PassDo you have or qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful Pass?If you already have an America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, that's the only entrance pass you need. Seniors, military, visitors with a permanent disability, and families with a 4th grader are eligible for a free or discounted America the Beautiful pass. How often do you plan to visit national parks in the next 12 months?If you don't qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass, we recommend choosing an entrance pass based on your trip plans.
Entrance PassesNational parks that charge an entrance fee require visitors to purchase or obtain a standard pass, park-specific annual pass, or America the Beautiful pass. Visitors only need one of these. Standard Entrance Pass$15.00–$25.00
Lake Mead National Recreation Area has entrance and lake use fees. The Lake Mead Annual Entrance Pass and Lake Mead Annual Vessel fees can be paid and purchased for online or at one of our entrance stations.
For VehiclesIf you enter the park in a motorized vehicle, your entrance pass covers both you and your passengers. Your passengers do not need a separate pass. Costs for vehicles with more than 15 passengers are listed below under Organizations and Businesses. Admits a private non-commercial vehicle for 1-7 days. Admits a motorcycle for 1-7 days. For Individuals without a VehicleIf you enter the park on a bicycle or on foot and are at least 16 years old, you need your own entrance pass. Children under the age of 16 don't need an entrance pass. Admits a single individual walking/bicycling for 1-7 days. For Organizations & BusinessesAdmits education/academic groups as long as a fee waiver form is filled out and approved. More informationAdmits vehicles at the per person rate for groups using vehicles for 12 or more people. The $15 cost is per person ages 16+, not to exceed the flat rate paid commercial tours for same type of vehicle. Admits a sedan of 1-6 people. Admits a van of 7-16 persons. Admits a mini-bus of 16-25 persons. Admits a motor coach of 26+ persons.  Annual Entrance - Park$45.00 This pass admits the passholder only into Lake Mead National Recreation Area AND NOT other federal lands. The interagency passes allow access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
Admits passholder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle. In cases where per person fees are charged, pass is valid for the passholder + 3 adults.1 year from month of purchase. Good through 1 year from month of purchase. America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
Covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at lands managed by
Depending on the type of entrance fee charged at a site, covers
America the Beautiful Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass. How to Get an America the Beautiful PassIn Person (Recommended)Passes can be purchased or picked up at over 1,000 federal recreation sites. Order Online, Receive by MailTo receive your pass by mail, order online at the USGS Online Store . Online orders are for physical passes, not digital passes, and may take up to three weeks to be processed and delivered. Order receipts may not be used in place of a physical pass. We recommend ordering at least three weeks in advance of your visit, or picking up a pass in person instead. 2025 Free Entrance Days in the National ParksCome experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:
New in 2024, all passes will have one signature line for a single passholder. A pass covers the passholder and all occupants in a personal vehicle at sites that charge per vehicle or, the passholder and up to three additional adults (16 and over) at sites that charge per person. Children ages 15 or under are admitted free.
All park visitors are required to purchase a recreational use pass upon entering Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Additionally, the park charges lake use fees. Lake Mead boat passes can be purchased online or at one of our entrance stations. Vehicle passes can be purchased online at recreation.gov that are valid in both Arizona and Nevada areas of the recreation area. Entrance station locations are:
Note: entrance passes are NOT SOLD at the Alan Bible Visitor Center. Vessel and Camping Fees
Other FeesHunting and fishing is regulated by the states. For more detailed informaiton about fishing license and information please visit our Fishing Page. For more detailed information about a hunting license please visit our Hunting Page. Boaters can purchase a Lake Mead Annual Vessel Pass for $50 for their motorized vessel or $16 for a 1- to 7-day pass. Non-motorized vessels do not require a Lake Mead Vessel Pass. ONLY Senior and Access Pass holders will receive the 50% discount on boating and watercraft fees. The implementation of standardized Road-based Commercial Tour (RBCT) CUAs and fees is DELAYED. This decision also delays implementation of increased commercial entrance fees. Parks with existing RBCT CUA requirements may continue to issue and manage CUAs according to existing practices including charging appropriate fees. To apply for a CUA, email lake_cua@nps.gov. While in the park our official concessioner offer additional opportunities and services for additional fees and costs. Please visit our Directory of Concessioners for more information.
Fee Waiver Form Educational groups coming to the park that are organized by an accredited educational institution may qualify for a waiver of park entrance fees. Please call Karleen at (702) 293-8798 for more information and to get a copy of this form.
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Last updated: July 7, 2025