America the Beautiful Pass: yes or no?
I'm willing to bet you've got plans to visit several national parks on your upcoming road trip to the USA!
In that case, the America the Beautiful pass might just be your best option.
Here’s everything you need to know about this pass, which could quickly become a must-have for your adventure into the great American outdoors.
Important note : Some national parks have implemented an advance reservation system to control the number of daily visitors. For more information, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section at the end of this article.
What is the “America the Beautiful” annual park pass?
Gain access to the most stunning sites in the United States with the America the Beautiful Pass.
The America the Beautiful Pass is something of a golden ticket for lovers of the great outdoors. It grants entry to over 2,000 sites managed by U.S. federal agencies: national parks (like Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Arches), national forests, historic monuments, and other natural gems.
In practical terms, this pass covers entrance fees for one vehicle (up to 4 adults). And good news: children under 16 always get in free!
Once purchased, you can visit any of the participating sites as often as you like, with no extra charge.
The money collected helps maintain the parks and their facilities, as well as protect the local wildlife and plant life. In other words, by buying this pass, you're actively contributing to the preservation of these wild American landscapes.
Note – Don’t confuse this pass with State Parks, which are not included
What’s the price of the pass and where can you get it?
The pass costs $250 USD and is valid for one year from the date of purchase. A fixed, transparent price – and pretty cost-effective depending on the stops on your road trip.
Where to buy it?
- Online at Recreation.gov
Authentik tip: Remember to print your digital version to leave it in your vehicle, or download it to your phone so you always have a copy with you when internet coverage is weak.
How long is the America the Beautiful Pass valid?
The pass is valid for 12 months from the month of purchase and expires on the last day of that same month.
For example: If you buy it on 3 August 2025, it’s valid until 31 August 2026.
What does the America the Beautiful pass cover ?
The pass gives access to all U.S. National Parks, but that’s not all! It also covers:
- National Monuments (e.g. Devil’s Tower)
- National Forests (e.g. Sequoia National Forest)
- National Recreation Areas (e.g. Lake Mead)
- National Historic Sites
During a road trip in the American West, chances are you’ll visit many parks in this region, like Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Arches, or Death Valley, to name a few.
If you're heading to Florida, the pass might also be worth it if you’re planning to visit other sites besides Everglades National Park — such as the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuge, Biscayne National Park, or the stunning Ocala National Forest.
But if you’re only visiting the Everglades, the pass likely isn’t worth the cost.
Check the full list of included parks here.
Is it worth it? Price comparison & examples
If you plan to visit 3 or 4 national parks or more, the pass quickly becomes a smart investment.
In addition, starting on January 1, 2026, a mandatory $100 surcharge per person will be required for all non-U.S. resident visitors in the following 11 parks: Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion.
This surcharge does not apply if the visitor already has a valid annual pass.
TYPICAL EXAMPLE:
- Grand Canyon: $35 per vehicle + an extra $100 per non-resident person
- Bryce Canyon: $35 per vehicle + an extra $100 per non-resident person
- Zion: $35 per vehicle + an extra $100 per non-resident person
- Arches: $30
- Yosemite: $35 per vehicle + an extra $100 per non-resident person
Without the pass: $570
With the pass: $250
Savings: $320 — Imagine all the little extras you could treat yourself to with that amount during your trip!
Who is the America the Beautiful Pass for?
This pass is ideal for:
- Families planning a multi-stop road trip through the American West.
- Couples in vans or cars who want to maximise their time in nature.
- Hikers, photographers or wildlife lovers exploring lesser-known areas.
- Anyone wanting flexibility — no need to book each park entry separately.
Not worth it if your itinerary is very urban (e.g. Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco) or includes only 1 or 2 parks.
My opinion after years of experience (Authentik bonus!)
At Authentik USA, we’ve been creating tailor-made itineraries for years. And one thing’s certain: the pass is almost always worth it.
As soon as you’re planning to visit more than 3 national parks, it’s a no-brainer.
Plus, our clients love the peace of mind it offers — no need to pull out your credit card at every entrance booth.
Yes, it’s valid even for RVs! As long as you’re using a standard road entrance, there’s no issue at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I enter a U.S. national park?
To access a national park, simply show your America the Beautiful Pass along with photo ID to the ranger at the entrance gate.
If no one is present, head to the Visitor Centre. When you buy the pass, you’ll receive a card to sign and a hangtag to place on your dashboard or rear-view mirror. Digital pass holders can print it as a PDF to place it in their vehicle.
Children under 16 enter for free.
How does the America the Beautiful pass work?
The America the Beautiful pass grants access to over 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States. When visiting in a non-commercial vehicle, the pass covers entrance fees for the pass holder and all passengers. For sites charging per person, it admits the pass holder and up to three adults, while children under 16 enter free.
For motorcycles, starting on January 1, 2026, the pass will be able to cover up to 2 motorcycles.
How long does the America the Beautiful pass last?
The America the Beautiful pass remains valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. For example, if you buy your pass in June 2025, you can use it until June 30, 2026, giving you access to federal recreation sites for more than a full year.
Can I buy it online?
Yes. Since November 20, 2025, you can purchase the digital version online.
How do I find my America the Beautiful pass number?
Your pass number can be found printed on the physical card itself or in your original purchase confirmation email. For online purchases, check your order confirmation from the USGS Store or REI. If you bought your pass at a park entrance, the number appears on both your receipt and the pass. Should you need help locating this information, contact the customer service team where you made your purchase.
Do I need to book my park entry in advance?
Some national parks have decided to implement a reservation system to control park entries (to avoid congestion). So even if you have a pass, it is highly recommended to reserve your access to these parks in advance. If you do not book your entry ahead of time, there is no guarantee that you will be allowed to enter the park (especially during peak season). Below are the parks concerned, along with their reservation details and dates:
Reservation required from May 24 to 26, June 15 to August 15, and August 30 to September 1, 2025.
Reservation required from April 1 to July 6, 2025, and from August 28 to October 31, 2025.
Reservation required from May 23 to October 20, 2025, for Bear Lake Corridor, and from May 23 to October 14, 2025, for all other areas.
Reservation required from June 13 to September 28, 2025.
Reservation required daily from July 11 to September 1, 2025, and on weekends and holidays only from September 2 to October 5, 2025.
In short: the America the Beautiful Pass, a valuable ally for your road trip
Whether you dream of watching the sunrise over the Grand Canyon, walking beneath giant sequoias, or exploring Utah’s red rock arches, the America the Beautiful Pass is without a doubt one of the best investments for discovering the natural treasures of the United States.
At $250, it offers total freedom, easy travel, and great value for the vast majority of USA road trips. And above all, it gives you access to an exceptional heritage, passionately preserved by Americans.
Our expert take: the best memories are often made at the entrance of a park you hadn’t planned to visit… but can, because you have the pass.
So, will you be getting it for your next U.S. road trip?
I’d bet you will!
If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments section below.
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