Summer Vacation to National Parks made better with an Annual Pass

With the school year coming to an end, many families will soon embark on summer family vacations. If your family vacation may include visits to national parks, an annual pass could help you save money with discounts and get more out of your visit. Additionally, the National Parks are much less expensive than commercial theme parks, plus an Annual Pass is free for the military.

A National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass comes with an number of benefits according to the government. Providing access to the entrance of more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States, the annual pass covers admission to the pass owner and accompanying passengers in a single private vehicle where per-vehicle fees are charged, or to the pass owner and three accompanying individuals ages 16 and older where per-person entrance fees are charged. At all National Parks and Federal Recreational lands children under 16 are admitted for free.

A variety of annual passes for the National Parks are available, including ways to earn an annual pass for free. Below are the types of passes and their associated costs.

• Annual Pass – $80 (ages 16 years and older) and valid for one year.
• Annual Pass for Military – Members of the U.S. military and their dependents are eligible for a free Annual Pass.
• Senior Pass – It’s $10 and valid for the lifetime of the pass owner. You must be 62 years or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Access Pass – It’s free for the lifetime of the pass holder with documentation of a permanent disability. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Volunteer Pass – You can earn this pass with 250 or more hours of volunteer service on public lands. The pass is valid for one year.