How to Buy an America the Beautiful Pass and What It Covers

What the America the Beautiful Pass covers and costs

The America the Beautiful Pass is a single annual pass that gives you and your passengers unlimited entry to more than 2,000 federally managed recreation sites for one year from the month you buy it. The sites include national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and Bureau of Land Management areas. One pass covers everyone in your vehicle, regardless of how many people are in it.

The pass costs $80 per year. You can use it immediately after purchase, and it remains valid for 12 months from the month you buy it — so if you buy it in March, it expires in March of the next year. The pass does not cover fees for camping, lodging, tours, or special permits; it covers day-use entrance fees only.

If you are 62 or older, you can buy a lifetime pass for a one-time payment of $80. If you have a disability, you can get a free pass by showing proof of a permanent disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, or other federal agencies. Active-duty military members and their families can get a free annual pass.

Key Takeaways

• The America the Beautiful Pass costs $80 per year and covers entrance fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites for you and everyone in your vehicle.
• You can buy the pass online at Recreation.gov, by mail, or in person at any participating recreation site.
• The pass is valid for 12 months from the month you purchase it, not from January 1.
• Seniors 62 and older can buy a lifetime pass for $80, and people with disabilities or active-duty military members can get a free pass with proof of status.
• The pass covers day-use entrance fees only and does not cover camping, lodging, or special activity permits.

Where to buy the pass online

The easiest way to buy an America the Beautiful Pass is through Recreation.gov, the federal government's recreation booking site. Go to Recreation.gov, select "America the Beautiful Pass" from the menu, and follow the steps to purchase. You can pay by credit card or debit card. The pass arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.

If you need the pass sooner, you can buy it in person at any national park entrance station, national forest visitor center, or Bureau of Land Management office. Most of these locations have the pass in stock and can issue it immediately. Call ahead to confirm the location near you has passes available and accepts the payment method you plan to use.

You can also order by mail. Download the order form from Recreation.gov, fill it out, and mail it with a check or money order to the address on the form. Mail orders take longer — typically three to four weeks — so this option works best if you are not in a hurry.

What to bring and what information you will need

If you are buying the pass in person, bring a valid photo ID and your payment method (cash, credit card, or debit card, depending on what the location accepts). You do not need to register the pass to anyone's name; it is not tied to a specific person or vehicle.

If you are buying online, you will need to enter your email address and mailing address. The pass will be mailed to the address you provide. Have your payment information ready — a credit card or debit card number and expiration date.

If you are claiming a free pass as a senior, person with a disability, or active-duty military member, bring proof of your status. Seniors need to show a photo ID with their date of birth. People with disabilities need documentation from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, or another federal agency showing a permanent disability rating. Active-duty military members need a military ID or other official military documentation.

How to use the pass at the gate

When you arrive at a national park or other recreation site, display your pass at the entrance station. The pass is a physical card that you keep in your vehicle. If you are entering a site that does not have a staffed entrance station, you may not need to show the pass at all — many sites rely on the honor system.

The pass covers everyone in your vehicle, so you do not need separate passes for passengers. If you are entering on foot or by bicycle, you will need to show the pass or pay the per-person entrance fee (which is typically $15 to $30, depending on the site). Some sites waive entrance fees on certain days; check the site's website before you go.

If your pass is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can replace it by visiting Recreation.gov or going to any recreation site in person. Replacement passes cost $15 and take 7 to 10 business days if ordered by mail, or are issued immediately if you buy in person.

Which sites are and are not covered

The pass covers entrance fees at national parks, national monuments, national seashores, national lakeshores, national recreation areas, and national scenic areas managed by the National Park Service. It also covers sites managed by the U.S. Forest Service (national forests), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (national wildlife refuges), and Bureau of Land Management (public lands).

The pass does not cover entrance fees at state parks, city parks, or privately managed recreation areas. It does not cover fees for camping, parking, lodging, boat launches, or special permits like backcountry permits or climbing permits. Some national parks charge additional fees for activities like cave tours or shuttle buses; the pass covers the park entrance but not these add-on fees.

To see a full list of sites covered by the pass, visit Recreation.gov and search by state or region. The site shows which parks and recreation areas accept the pass and which fees are covered.

What happens when your pass expires

Your pass is valid for 12 months from the month you purchase it. When it expires, you will need to buy a new pass to continue visiting federal recreation sites. You can buy a new pass at any time — you do not have to wait until your current pass expires.

If you buy a new pass before your current one expires, the new pass will start on the date you purchase it, not on the expiration date of your old pass. This means you could have a gap in coverage if you buy too early, or overlap if you buy too late. To avoid confusion, buy your new pass in the same month your current one expires.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use someone else's America the Beautiful Pass?

The pass is not tied to a specific person, so technically anyone can use it. However, the pass is meant to cover the vehicle and its occupants, not to be shared among different vehicles or groups. If you are stopped at an entrance station, the ranger may ask who purchased the pass and whether you are the vehicle owner or an authorized passenger.

Does the pass cover camping fees?

No. The pass covers day-use entrance fees only. Camping, lodging, and parking fees are separate and must be paid in addition to the pass. You can reserve campsites at many national parks through Recreation.gov, but the camping fee is charged separately from the entrance fee.

What if I buy the pass and then don't use it?

The pass is non-refundable once purchased. If you buy it and decide not to visit any federal recreation sites, you cannot get your money back. However, the pass is valid for 12 months, so you have a full year to use it if your plans change.

Can I buy the pass as a gift?

Yes. You can buy the pass online or in person and give it to someone else. Since the pass is not registered to a specific person, the recipient can use it immediately. If you are buying it as a gift and having it mailed, provide your own mailing address and then give the pass to the recipient when it arrives.

Do I need the physical pass or can I use a digital version?

You need the physical pass card. There is no digital or mobile version. Keep the pass in your vehicle at all times so you can show it at entrance stations. If you lose it, you will need to buy a replacement.