It's almost summer and that means it's time to put on your hiking boots!
Our country's vibrant national parks have passes that give you access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
It’s that time of year when families can pick up passes to enter 2,000-plus U.S. national parks, rec sites and museums! Here’s info on how to get your pass so you can get to exploring!
Annual Pass
- Cost: $80 annual pass
- Available for: Everyone
- How to buy:
- In person at a federal recreation site (see List of federal recreation sites that issue passes),
- By phone at 888-ASK USGS (1-888-275-8747), extension 3 (Hours of operation are: 8 am to 4 pm Mountain Time)
- Online—Buy now from the USGS store!
Free Annual Pass for U.S. Military
- Cost: Free annual pass
- Available for: Current U.S. military members and dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard as well as Reserve and National Guard members.
- How to get one: In person at a federal recreation site (see List of federal recreation sites that issue passes) by showing a Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID (Form 1173).
- Frequently Asked Questions about the Annual Pass for U.S. Military (USGS website)
Annual 4th Grade Pass
- Cost: Free (valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year through the following summer (September-August)
- Available for: U.S. 4th graders (including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age) with a valid Every Kid in a Park paper pass
- How to obtain:
- Paper passes can be obtained by visiting the Every Kid in a Park website and can be exchanged for the Annual 4th Grade Pass at federal recreation sites that charge Entrance or Standard Amenity fees (day use fee) (List of federal recreation sites that issue passes).
- Digital version of the paper pass (such as on smartphones or tablets) will not be accepted to exchange for an Annual 4th Grade Pass.
Senior Pass
- Cost:
- $80 Lifetime Senior Pass
- $20 Annual Senior Pass
- Available for: U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship.
- How to purchase:
- In person at a federal recreation site (List of federal recreation sites that issue passes)
- Online–buy the lifetime pass or the annual pass online now through the USGS store!
- Through the mail using this application form (PDF).
- NOTE: There is an additional cost of $10 for passes purchased online or by mail. See more information about changes to the Senior Pass.
Access Pass
- Cost: Free
- Available for: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship.
- How to get one:
- In person at a federal recreation site (List of federal recreation sites that issue passes)
- Through the mail using this application form (PDF).
- NOTE: The cost of obtaining an Access Pass through the mail is $10 for processing the application (the pass is free).
Volunteer Pass
- Cost: Free
- Available for: Volunteers with 250 service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program
- Contact your local federal recreation site for more information about volunteer opportunities or visit Volunteer.gov.