The America the Beautiful Pass is an amazing thing for many RVers, because it gives them access to a number of natural areas without the need to pay entrance fees. That said, there are some things you should consider before you purchase this pass yourself.
First, you will want to take a look at your travel plans for the next year versus the cost of the pass. This will allow you to be sure you will actually visit enough national parks and other recreational areas for the pass to pay for itself.
It’s also a good idea to understand:
- What is included with the pass
- What rules need to be followed when using the pass
- Whether you might be eligible for a free or deeply discounted version of the pass
America the Beautiful Pass: What Does It Include?
First things first, let’s discuss what this federal recreational pass includes (and what it doesn’t). Having a good understanding of the cost of the pass and what you will get out of it will help you get a better feel for whether or not this is a worthwhile purchase for your family.
Cost
As of this writing, the America the Beautiful Pass costs $80 and is good for 12 consecutive months beginning at the date of purchase and ending on the last day of the 12th month. The passes are non-refundable, non-transferable, and you can’t have your pass replaced if it is lost or stolen. It’s also good to note that you must show a photo ID each time you use the pass.
Where to Buy It
America the Beautiful passes can be purchased at over 1,000 federal recreation sites, including most national parks that charge entrance fees. They can also be ordered online and received by mail, but a pass ordered this way may take up to three weeks to arrive.
Another option is to drop by your local REI store. These stores sell the America the Beautiful Pass and the cost is the same.
What Recreational Areas are Included with the Pass?
This pass provides fee-free access to more than 2,000 different recreation areas across the United States. These include any site run by the federal agencies listed below:
- U.S. Forest Service
- National Park Service
- Fish and Wildlife Service
- Bureau of Land Management
- Bureau of Reclamation
- US Army Corps of Engineers
At these locations, entrance and standard amenity fees will be waived for the passholder and the people in their passenger vehicle (where vehicle fees are charged) OR the passholder and up to three other adults (where per-person fees are charged).
Note: Children under 16 are always admitted free of charge.
What Recreational Areas are Excluded from the Pass?
The America the Beautiful Pass can only be used at federal recreation sites. This means state parks and county parks are not included. Additionally, the pass does not cover extended amenity fees, which include things like camping fees, backcountry permits, paid guided tours, and paid parking.
It is also good to note that many federal recreation areas do not charge an entrance fee, meaning you would be admitted free of charge with or without the pass.
Rules and Regulations
- You must have a physical card in hand along with a valid photo ID in order to use your pass to gain entrance to a park.
- At recreation sites without entrance stations, you should hang your card in your car window using a handtag OR obtain and display a car decal.
- Only one vehicle per passholder will be allowed fee-free entry, even if the family is split between two vehicles.
- In the case of bicyclists, the passholder and up to three other adult bicyclists may enter on a single pass.
- In the case of motorcyclists, a pass only covers a single motorcycle.
- The pass only works for non-commercial vehicles.
- As of 2024, passes are assigned to one person only and cannot be transferred.
Do Profits from the Pass Support the National Park System?
The profits from the America the Beautiful Pass are used to improve and maintain recreation areas managed by six different federal agencies, including the NPS.
Why an America the Beautiful Pass is a Great Budget Hack
The America the Beautiful Pass is an excellent way to save money during your RV travels. That said, it only works if you plan to visit national parks or other recreational areas on a regular basis.
As an example of what you can save:
- A 7-day pass to Joshua Tree National Park costs $30 per private vehicle.
- A 7-day pass to Sequoia National Park costs $35 per private vehicle.
- A 7-day pass to Yosemite National Park costs $35 per private vehicle.
If you plan to visit only one or two of these parks in a year, you are better off buying individual vehicle passes. However, those who plan to visit all three of these parks would save $20 by buying the pass.
Obviously, the pass is an even better investment if you visit even more recreation areas throughout the year. Since many RVers do just that, the America the Beautiful Pass is one of the best RVing budget hacks out there.
America the Beautiful Senior Pass and Beyond
The America the Beautiful Pass is one national park pass option, but it isn’t the only one. Many people qualify for one of the many discounted or free national parks passes, including the ever-popular senior pass.
The table below will help you understand each of these passes and whether you might qualify:
As you can see, the America the Beautiful pass can be an excellent way for an RVer to save money. Why not pick up your pass right away and start planning your own adventure? You definitely won’t regret it!
