Entrance Passes

America the Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series

Each pass covers entrance fees at lands managed by the National Park Service and US Fish & Wildlife Service and also standard amenity fees (day use fees) at lands managed by the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Army Corps of Engineers. A pass covers the pass owner and all occupants in a personal vehicle at sites that charge per vehicle or, the pass owner and up to three additional adults (16 and over) at sites that charge per person. Children ages 15 or under are admitted free.

To find a location near you that issues these interagency passes, search the  list of all federal recreation sites where the passes are issued, including national parks. In addition to getting one of the Interagency Passes in person at national parks and other federal recreation sites, many of the America the Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands (Interagency) Passes are available to order from the USGS Online Store (allow at least three weeks for order processing and delivery). Please visit the USGS Online Store for detailed information about how to purchase a pass online and whether purchasing a pass now is the right decision for you.

Please remember when making your purchase that Interagency Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable, cannot be extended and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass.

Infographic titled "Which Interagency Pass is Right for Me?"; detailed alt text is on the page with the infographic
Image designed by the National Park Service

The image is a decision tree to assist people deciding which entrance pass to get. It is titled “Which Interagency Pass is Right for Me?” Text reads “America the Beautiful – The National Park and Federal Recreation Lands Pass. There are a variety of options in the interagency pass program. These passes apply to multiple agencies (see logos below) and may be obtained with appropriate ID or documentation. Funds from Pass sales help Federal agencies support high-quality experiences for visitors” 

The infographic includes logos a website to “store.usgs.gov” to find more information about these passes. And includes logos of participating federal agencies, including the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is also decorated with silhouettes of trees and a bison. 

The first row of pass options includes the questions and answers: 

It asks, “Are you between the ages of 16-62?” then points to an Annual pass for $80. 

It asks, “Are you a federal lands volunteer that has completed 250 hours of service?” then points to a Volunteer pass for free. 

Below a question asking, “Are you a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident?” there are multiple pass options: 

It asks, “Are you age 62 or over?” then points to a Senior Annual pass for $20 or Senior Lifetime pass for $80. 

It asks, “Are you a Gold Star Family member or veteran?” then points to a Military Lifetime pass for free. 

It asks, “Do you have a medically determined permanent disability?” then points to an Access pass for free. 

It asks, “Are you currently serving in the Military or a dependent?” then points to a Military Annual pass for free. 

It asks, “Are you a U.S. student in the 4th grade or home-school equivalent?” then points to a 4th grade pass for free. 

The 2023 Interagency Annual Pass
The 2023 The America the Beautiful-The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass

Photo on the pass by Karla Rivera, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, 2021 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner

Annual Pass

Cost: $80 annual pass

Available for: Everyone

How to purchase:

Additional Information:

The 2023 Military Annual Pass
The 2023 Interagency Pass - Military Annual Pass

Photo on the pass by Karla Rivera, 2021 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner

Military Annual Pass

Cost: Free

Available for:

  • Current US military members and their dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, as well as Reserve and National Guard members. Please check photo ID requirements before arriving.

How to get:

Additional Information:

Lifetime Military Pass
The new Interagency Pass - Military Lifetime

Military Lifetime Pass

Cost: Free

Available for:

  • Gold Star Families with a valid Gold Star Family Voucher
  • US military veterans with a valid, veteran ID

How to get:

Additional Information:

The 2022-2023 4th Grade Pass with the Every Kid Outdoors logo on the left; the words America the Beautiful-The National Parks and Recreational Lands Pass at the top and a photo of three 4th graders looking and pointing at something.
The September 1, 2022 - August 31, 2023 - 4th Grade Pass

Photo on the pass by Anthony Graziano at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge in New York.

4th Grade Pass

Cost: Free pass valid for the duration of the 4th grader's school year though the following summer (September-August)

Available for: US 4th graders, including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age, with a valid Every Kid Outdoors paper voucher

How to get:

  • Step 1: Get a paper voucher by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website and following the instructions.
  • Step 2: Exchange a printed voucher for the Annual 4th Grade Pass at federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees (day use fee). Find a location to pick up this pass at a federal recreation site.
  • NOTE: Digital versions of the paper voucher, such as on smart phones or tablets, are not accepted to exchange for an Annual 4th Grade Pass.

Additional Information:

The Interagency Senior Lifetime Pass and the 2023 Interagency Senior Annual Pass stacked. Photo on the IA Senior Lifetime Pass is by Lori Wilkinson. Photo on the 2023 IA Senior Annual Pass is by Karla Rivera.
The Interagency Senior Lifetime Pass and the 2023 Interagency Senior Annual Pass.

Photos on the passes are by Lori Wilkinson, Yellowstone National Park (top) and Karla Rivera, 2021 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner (bottom)

Senior Pass

Cost:

  • $80 Lifetime Senior Pass
  • $20 Annual Senior Pass

Available for: US citizens or permanent residents ages 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship.

How to purchase:

Additional Information:

  • Find detailed information about this pass on the USGS Store's Senior Lifetime Pass, Senior Annual Pass, and Frequently Asked Questions webpages.
  • The Senior Pass may provide a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services.
  • The Senior Pass generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners.
  • Golden Age Passports are no longer sold. However, these passes are still honored according to the provisions of the pass.
  • Passes may not be purchased as gifts since eligible recipient must show proof of eligibility.
The Interagency Access Pass
The Interagency Access Pass

Photo on the pass is by Steven Koehler, Yellowstone National Park

Access Pass

Cost: Free lifetime pass

Available for: US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship.

How to get:

Additional Information:

  • Find detailed information about this pass on the USGS Store's Access Pass and Frequently Asked Questions webpages.
  • Find Frequently Asked Questions about this and other interagency passes on the USGS Store's website.
  • The Access Pass may provide a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and specialized interpretive services.
  • The Access Pass generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners.
  • Golden Access Passports are no longer sold. However, these passes are still honored according to the provisions of the pass. Passes may not be purchased as gifts since eligible recipient must show proof of eligibility.
  • Passes may not be purchased as gifts since eligible recipient must present proof of eligibility.
The 2023 Interagency Volunteer Annual Pass
The 2023 Interagency Volunteer Annual Pass

Photo on the pass by Karla Rivera, 2021 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner

Volunteer Pass

Cost: Free annual pass

Available for: Volunteers with 250 service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program

How to get: Volunteers should contact their volunteer coordinator for more information.

Additional Information:

  • Find Frequently Asked Questions about this and other interagency passes on the USGS Store's website.
  • The Volunteer Pass is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
  • Contact your local federal recreation site for more information about volunteer opportunities or visit Volunteer.gov.

More Information

These six agencies participate in the Interagency Pass Program:

For more information about the terms used (for example, "non-commercial vehicle" or "pass owner," see Pass Program Definitions on the USGS website.

Last updated: March 23, 2023