Entrance Fee Costs at National Parks

National parks in the United States offer some of the most scenic and accessible outdoor experiences but visiting them often involves a variety of fees. Some national parks like Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Glacier, and the Grand Canyon offer week-long passes. Whereas some national monuments like Mount Rushmore and Devil’s Tower allow you to buy single-use day passes.

If you’re new to the National Park Service, making sense of the entry fee costs can feel a little arcane. It helps to understand the various fees and think about all the trips you have planned for the year.

Weekly Pass (7-Day Pass)

Cost: $30 to $35 per vehicle.

Grants Access: Just to one specific park

This pass will gain you entry to one specific park for a week from the first day of use. You buy it, and it comes with a map and a slip that you put on your dash. Be sure that the park rangers can clearly see it. If they think you’re trying to pull a fast one, they’ll give you a ticket.

Note: These passes are only good for that specific park. If you buy a weeklong pass at Yellowstone on Monday, it won’t also get you into Grand Teton on Friday. You’ll have to buy a specific Grand Teton’s Pass. Park rangers do check for this!

You simply display the pass in the windshield of your own vehicle or rental car.

America the Beautiful (Annual Pass)

Cost: $80

The America the Beautiful "Annual Pass" saves money if you visit 3 National Parks of National Monuments in a year.

Grants Access: To over 2,000 federal recreation sites.

Commonly referred to as the “Annual Pass,” the America the Beautiful pass grants access to all national parks and federal lands that charge entrance fees. It’s good for 12 months from the month of purchase.

They give you a card that they punch or mark. You put the card in your wallet and present it when you come to each entry gate.

A Real-World Example

I bought the America the Beautiful annual pass in Death Valley in February. I knew that I was going to also use it for Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Glacier, Zion, the Wind Cave, Theodore Roosevelt, the Badlands, and Custer Battlefield, as well as Devils Tower.

Had I bought passes for all of those places separately, it would have cost me $285. So, by purchasing the annual pass, I saved $205.

If I had only visited Death Valley and Yellowstone, the annual pass wouldn’t have made sense, as the combined cost for two weekly passes would have only cost $60.

Day Pass (Single Entry)

Cost: Ranges from $5 to $35 per vehicle, depending on the park.

Grants Access: Just to that park or monument’s parking area.

These day passes are more common at National Monuments that are also run by the National Park Service.

This is usually a parking validation pass. For example, when you go to Mount Rushmore, they’ll give you a slip that you have to put into a parking validation machine that charges you $10. You’ll then get a receipt slip that you have to use to exit the parking area.

National Park Discounts

The National Park Service offers a variety of discounts for certain people.

Senior Pass 

Cost: $80 for the annual pass or a Lifetime Pass for a one-time fee of $80.

For: U.S. citizens and permanent residents age 62+

Benefits: Provides free access to all national parks and federal recreational lands that charge entrance fees, plus a 50% discount on camping and other fees.

Military Pass

Cost: Free

For: U.S. Military veterans and active-duty personnel

Benefits: Free entrance to national parks, monuments, and other federal recreation sites.

The Military Pass is available for active-duty military, veterans, and Gold Star families. Does not apply to family members unless they qualify separately. However, if you have a veteran with you when you come to the gate, they’ll give you the slip of paper for your window, and it will be good for that vehicle and everyone who rides in it.

Access Pass

Cost: Free

For: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities

Benefits: Provides free access to national parks and federal recreation lands. It can also provide discounts on some services like camping and park service-sponsored tours.

Fee-Free Days

There are typically a few days throughout the year when entrance fees are waived to celebrate specific national holidays, park anniversaries, or National Park Week.

Popular fee-free days include Martin Luther King Jr. Day, National Park Week, and Veterans Day.

To learn more about adventuring in the National Parks and adventure travel, can follow Eric Beuning's Author Page.