Save money on park entrance fees with an annual National Park Interagency Pass

The American the Beautiful annual pass allows access to all National Parks
and Federal Recreational Lands.  Photo:  Stephanie Jolly

National parks and forests are one of the nation's greatest treasures, yet with admission fees upwards of $20 a visit, the cost of visiting multiple parks during a summer road trip across America can quickly add up.  The solution?  An annual parks pass that covers the cost of entrance fees at over 400 National Parks, National Monuments, trailheads and National Recreation Areas nationwide.

Officially called the America the Beautiful - the National Parks and Federal Recreational Land Pass, the card is more commonly referred to as a "National Park Pass" or "Interagency Pass" because in addition to being honored at parks and monuments, it is also honored by other agencies within the U.S Dept of Interior.  The National Park pass can be used at lands operated by the:

• National Park Service
• USDA Forest Service
• Fish and Wildlife Service
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
• Federal Recreational Lands

The annual pass, good for one year after the month of purchase, costs $80 and allows the pass-holder as well as all passengers in the vehicle access into the specified area and can be purchased online through the National Park Service or purchased in person at any staffed entrance station.  The cost of the National Park Pass is easily recouped on short or extended road-trips, particularly on trips through-out the western U.S.  The entrance fees for Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks are $25 and $20, for example, already recovering half the cost of the annual pass just by visiting two parks.

In addition and perhaps most importantly, holders of the National Park Interagency Pass have a freedom to explore the lesser known National Parks and National Monuments of the country without having to worry "How much will it cost?" 

This makes almost every brown road sign a free opportunity to visit someplace new.  Did you know Pipestone National Monument in southern Minnesota gives you the chance to view quarries used to unearth the traditional stone used by American Indians to make ceremonial pipes?   Neither would I if not for my annual park pass, which allowed me to take a gamble at a relatively unknown attraction.  Or maybe you just want to drive through the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert as a scenic detour to or from the Grand Canyon.  A National Parks pass will allow you to waive the $10 entrance fee and drive on through.   Looking for an area to use your annual National Park Pass?  Check out the National Atlas for maps of Federal Lands categorized by state.

After your road trip across the U.S, use the remainder of the time left to explore areas around your home-town.  The accomanying hang-tag can be displayed at locations where "iron-rangers" are fed day-use fees at recreation sites and is valid to cover trailhead fees on popular National Forest trails. 

Bear in mind that the annual pass does not cover campsite fees, parking or fees paid directly to a concessionare.  This means that you'll still need to pay $8 to park at Mount Rushmore as well as pay for the ferry to Alcatraz Island and the Statue of Liberty as, technically, none of these areas change entrance fees.

• Statue of Liberty's crown to reopen on the Fourth of July
• Pacific Northwest Trail receives National Scenic Trail designation

The Great American Road Trip

Let Examiner.com's nationwide network of Travel Examiners and Transportation Examiners guide you to America's best roadside attractions, highways, dining, and driving tips of the summer.