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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 PassesAnnual passes are good for one year and cover your entrance fee for Shenandoah. Standard Entrance Pass$15.00–$30.00
You are required to pay an entrance fee in order to access Shenandoah National Park, whether you're driving on Skyline Drive or hiking in from the boundary.
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. Unlimited entry for one vehicle and all passengers for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase. Admits the pass holder and occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle.
In-person Purchase Locations
Entry for one motorcycle and one passenger for seven consecutive days, beginning on the day of purchase. In-person Purchase Locations
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. Entry for walk-up or bicycling visitors, when 16 years of age or older (children under 16 are admitted for free). Includes entering the Park by all means other than a private, non-commercial vehicle. A family traveling together shall pay no more than the vehicle fee. In-person Purchase Locations
For Organizations & BusinessesNational Park Service regulations allow school groups and other approved national and international academic institutions to obtain a waiver of Park entrance fees, provided that visit is for educational or scientific purposes, and the resources or facilities that the group intends to use, support those purposes. Request an academic fee waiver through the education section of our website. In-person Purchase Locations
The total cost is calculated: $25 + $10 per passenger. In-person Purchase Locations
Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 7-15 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. In-person Purchase Locations
Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 16-25 passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. In-person Purchase Locations
Based upon the total capacity of a vehicle that can carry 26 or more passengers, regardless of the actual number of passengers. In-person Purchase Locations
Fee is calculated per person for anyone 16 years of age or older (children under 16 are admitted for free). Groups will not be charged more than the equivalent commercial group fee. In-person Purchase Locations
 Annual Entrance - Park$55.00 Provides unlimited entry for one year to the pass holder and passengers in the same vehicle, not to exceed 4 total adults. Children under 16 are admitted for free and are not included in this total. Purchase online or at any of our entrance stations. In-person Purchase Locations
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:
Cashless PaymentsBeginning July 1, 2025, Shenandoah National Park will transition to a fully cashless fee system and accept only mobile or electronic payments for entrance and campground fees.
Other Fees Depending on your trip, you may need to pay for more than just your entrance to Shenandoah.
Camping fees are separate from your entrance pass to Shenandoah National Park. Holders of Interagency Senior and Access passess are eligible for a 50% discount on their camping fee, but please be prepared to present your pass along with a photo ID. If reserving a site through Recreation.gov, your pass information must be provided at the time the reservation is made to receive the discount. Learn more about camping in Shenandoah.
From March 1 to November 30, visitors who wish to use trails in the Old Rag Area (Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails) will need to obtain an Old Rag day-use ticket in advance, in addition to an entrance pass. Find out more information on our Old Rag day-use ticket FAQ page.
80 percent of the money collected from entrance fees is used for projects that directly benefit visitors. The remaining 20 percent goes to parks that do not charge fees to help them with visitor services. Shenandoah has used fees to rehabilitate historic structures, preserve the health of the forest, and to hire temporary staff who improve trails and lead ranger programs. If you look around the Park, you will see your fee dollars hard at work! Thank you for your support. |
Last updated: July 2, 2025