National Park Entrance Fees
Why Do National Parks Charge an Entrance Fee?
Not all national parks charge a fee for entry, but you will find that many of the most popular ones do. While volunteers often help with tail maintenance, America’s national parks are enormous. Preserving the environment and maintaining infrastructure such as campgrounds, trails, roads, bridges and utilities isn’t free.
National Park Free Days (As of 2018)
If you don’t want to pay for admission, anyone can enter a national park for free on the following days. Camping fees and usage fees may still be applicable.
- January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- April 21: The First day of National Park Week
- September 22: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day
Annual Parks Passes
If you frequent national parks, or you are planning a trip to visit many of them, it may cost you less to buy an annual national parks pass. The pass allows the pass holder, and anyone with them in their vehicle, entrance to national parks and various federal lands.
Cost of America the Beautiful National Parks Pass (As of 2018)
- Standard Annual Pass: $80
- Seniors (Over 62): $20 for Annual Pass or $80 for a Lifetime Pass
- Active Military: Free
- U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents with Permanent Disabilities: Free
- Volunteers with 250 Service Hours: Free
- Students in 4th Grade through the Following Summer: Free
National Park Entry Fees by Park (As of 2018)
If you only plan on visiting one park, the least expensive option will usually be paying the standard vehicle entry fee.
Most of the larger parks will charge between $30 and $70 per car or SUV, with less expensive options for motorcycles and pedestrians.
A full list of entry fees by park can be found on the National Parks Service website.
The Fees Are Worth It
If you have never visited a park like Redwood National, Glacier or Yellowstone, the experience is often life changing. Walking through the wilderness can be a spiritual experience. It takes us away from our cities and our screens to remind us that we are part of the natural world, and just the smallest piece of the universe. Our national parks are among the few remaining places that one can truly feel at peace.
