Entrance Fees and Recreational Passes

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We encourage visitors to purchase their entrance fee prior to arrival to reduce cash handling and contact time.

Payment options include honor/self-pay stations, mobile apps, online, and in-person at the Red Hills Visitor Center and Rincon Mountain Entrance station.

Please read through all information on Ways to Pay Fees to determine which pass option works best for your visit and how to purchase it.

Payment or a valid pass is required at all hours, whether staff is present or not. To purchase an entry fee when staff is not present, see mobile options below.

 

Entrance Fees

We want you to have the pass or pay the entrance fee listed below that is right for you. Consider annual or lifetime passes that are available.

More information on ways and places to pay your fees.

Entrance fee paid for admission to Saguaro National Park is good for seven days and includes both the Tucson Mountain District (West) and the Rincon Mountain District (East)

Saguaro National Park Weekly Pass - $25.00/vehicle (U.S. Dollars) Purchase Your Pass Online
Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers. Organized groups are not eligible for the vehicle permit.

Saguaro National Park Weekly Pass - $20.00/motorcycle (U.S. Dollars) Purchase Your Pass Online
Admits one single motorcycle. Organized groups are not eligible for the motorcycle permit.

Saguaro National Park Individual Weekly Pass - $15.00/person (U.S. Dollars) Purchase Your Pass Online
Admits one individual when entering by foot or bicycle. Individuals 15 years or younger are admitted free of charge.

Have fee-related questions? Need help figuring out the right pass for you? Please email us at [e-mail] .

 

Accepted Forms of Payment

Credit or Debit Cards Preferred

Charge Cards: Master Card, VISA, Discover, or American Express.
Cash: United States currency.
Pay Online: Pay Your Entrance Fees Online. (Use your: Debit or credit card, Bank account (ACH), Amazon account or PayPal account)
Travelers Check: Payable in U.S. Dollars.
Personal or Commercial Checks: A check must be drawn on a U.S. Bank, payable in U.S. Dollars, and the check holder's name and current address must be imprinted on the check. A Telephone number and Tax Identification are also required. Personal checks for over $25.00 require the check holder's Social Security Number (SSN). All Business Checks require the business' Tax Identification Number (TIN).

 

Fee Free Days

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Free Entrance Days in 2021 (link to national parks page https://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm)

The National Park Service offers the following fee-free days:

January 18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
April 17: First Day of National Park Week/National Junior Ranger Day
August 4: Great American Outdoors Act Signing Day
August 25: National Park Service Birthday
September 25: National Public Lands Day
November 11: Veterans Day

Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

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Interagency Annual Passes

America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

These passes admit the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle areas and pass holder +3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free).

 

Annual Pass - Cost $80.00 (U.S. Dollars)
This pass is available to the general public and provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of sale.

The pass can be obtained by calling 1-888-ASK USGS, Ext. 1, or via the Internet at https://store.usgs.gov/pass. Please see the Ways to Pay Fees page for calling us to purchase a pass.

 

Annual Military Pass - Free
This free pass is designed for active duty military personnel. As gratitude for your services, this pass will grant you access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. Visit https://store.usgs.gov/pass/military.html for more details.

The pass can be obtained by calling 1-888-ASK USGS, Ext. 1, or via the internet at https://store.usgs.gov/pass.

 

Senior Annual Pass - Cost $20.00 (U.S. Dollars)
This pass is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over for a year, beginning from the date of the sale. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity.

You may purchase the pass online at the USGS store https://store.usgs.gov/senior-annual

The Senior Pass provides a 50% discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50% price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

NOTE: On August 28, 2017 the price of the Senior Lifetime Pass was increased to $80 and a new Senior Annual Pass was introduced. The Senior Annual Pass costs $20 and provides the same access to entrance and discounted user fees as the Senior Lifetime Pass for one year. The Senior Annual Pass may be upgraded to a Senior Lifetime Pass if presented at the time the Senior Lifetime Pass is purchased.

Learn more about the changes to the Senior Passes.

 

Senior Lifetime Pass - Cost $80.00 (U.S. Dollars)

This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity.

Replaced: Golden Age Passport - May be exchanged free of charge.

You can purchase the pass online at the USGS store https://store.usgs.gov/senior-pass

The Senior Pass provides a 50% discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50% price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

 

Access Pass - Free
This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity.

Replaced: Golden Access Passport - May be exchanged free of charge.

Documentation is required to obtain the pass. Acceptable documentation includes: statement by a licensed physician; document issued by a Federal agency such as the Veteran's Administration, Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income; or document issued by a State agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency.
You can obtain the pass online at the USGS store https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass

The Access Pass provides a 50% discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50% price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

 

Annual 4th Grade Pass
Available to U.S. 4th graders (including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age) with a valid Every Kid Outdoors paper voucher. The pass is valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year through the following summer (September - August). Paper vouchers can be obtained by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website and can be exchanged for the Annual 4th Grade Pass at Federal recreation sites that charge Entrance or Standard Amenity fees. Digital versions of the voucher (such as on smart phones or tablets) will not be accepted to exchange for an Annual 4th Grade Pass. The pass is non-transferable. Educators can also be involved!

 

Annual Volunteer Pass - Free
This pass is for volunteers acquiring 250 service hours on a cumulative basis. It provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee for a year, beginning from the date of award.

 

What Happened to "Golden" & National Parks Passes?

The Following National Park Passes Were Replaced during 2007:
Golden Eagle Passport
National Parks Pass
Golden Eagle Hologram
Golden Age Passport
Golden Access Passport

All National Parks Passes, Golden Eagle, Golden Eagle Hologram, Golden Access and Golden Age Passports were honored in 2007 according to the provisions of the pass. Only paper Golden Age and Access Passports may be exchanged free of charge for the new plastic passes.

The National Park Service is an important participant in the new Interagency Pass Program which was created by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and authorized by Congress in December 2004. Participating agencies include the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture - Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. The pass series, collectively known as the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, is shown above with a brief explanation of each.

 

Saguaro National Park Annual Pass

Saguaro National Park 2021 Annual Pass - Cost $45.00

Valid for twelve months from the date of purchase, for unlimited visits to Saguaro National Park in Tucson Arizona. It admits the purchaser and any accompanying persons in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle, or pass holder and three persons (16 and older) where per person entrance fees are charged. This passport covers entrance fees only and is not refundable or transferable. Please see Ways to Pay Fees or Pay.gov for purchasing information. Passes purchased online will be mailed to purchaser within two business weeks.

 

Organized Non-Commercial Groups

Organized Non-Commercial Groups include church groups, college/school groups, scouts, service organizations, military, etc. All holders of America the Beautiful (ATB) Interagency Passes, Golden Passports, Saguaro passes and those under 16 years of age will be exempt from payment of fees. Passes allow free entrance to individual pass holders under the conditions stated on the pass.

Organized Non-Commercial Groups in vehicles with a manufacture's designed capacity of less than 15 are charged the $15.00 vehicle permit or a fee of $5.00 per person in vehicles with a manufacture's designed capacity of 16 or greater. Removal of seats from a vehicle does not then qualify for the lower rate. Age and pass exemptions apply.

The total fee charged for an Organized Non-Commercial Group will not exceed the $100 (U.S. Dollars) fee per vehicle.

 

Commercial Tour Fee

Based on vehicle capacity (not the actual occupancy) for all tour groups and bus companies.

Vehicles with capacity of 1-6: will be charged a Flat Fee of $25.00, plus the per person rate ($15 per person 16 and older) for each individual within the vehicle.

Vehicles with capacity of 7-25: will be charged a Flat Fee of $40.00. No Golden Eagle, Golden Age, Golden Access, Saguaro Park Passes, or America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes, will be accepted and no exemptions for age.

Vehicles with capacity of 26+ : will be charged a Flat Fee of $100.00. No Golden Eagle, Golden Age, Golden Access, Saguaro park Passes, or America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes, will be accepted and no exemptions for age.

No per person fees are charged as long as passengers are traveling with the original commercial vehicle. Tour passengers who re-enter the park by other means are subject to per person fees. Entrance Fees are NOT refundable and/or transferable. The permit is valid for up to 7 days for the same tour group only. For information regarding commercial tours at Saguaro National Park, please visit our Commercial Use Authorization page.