National Park Passes and Entrance Fees, Explained (2026)

As of 2026, a U.S. resident can cover entrance to every national park, plus other federal recreation land, for a full year with the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass — but nonresidents now pay $250 for the same pass, and a new $100-per-person surcharge applies at 11 of the most-visited parks regardless of pass status.

Key takeaways

• The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80 for U.S. residents in 2026) covers entrance fees at every national park plus other federal recreation land, including national forests, BLM land, and wildlife refuges.
• Nonresidents pay $250 for the same annual pass as of 2026, a new pricing tier.
• A new $100-per-person nonresident surcharge applies at 11 major parks in 2026: Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion.
• Free or discounted passes exist for seniors ($20/year or $80 lifetime), fourth-graders, military members, and people with permanent disabilities.
• A pass covers the entrance fee only — it does not cover camping, timed-entry reservations, or shuttle tickets, which are billed separately.

What the annual pass actually covers

The America the Beautiful pass covers standard vehicle or per-person entrance fees at every fee-charging site run by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Reclamation — not just national parks. One $80 pass, valid for a year from purchase, covers the driver plus everyone in the vehicle at per-vehicle sites.

The 2026 nonresident changes

Two changes took effect January 1, 2026: nonresidents now pay $250 for the annual pass instead of the resident $80 rate, and a new $100-per-person surcharge applies specifically at Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion — on top of the standard entrance fee, according to the National Park Service.

Passes that are free or discounted

• Senior pass — $20 annual or $80 lifetime for U.S. citizens and permanent residents 62 and older, with some camping and amenity discounts.
• Every Kid Outdoors — a free annual pass for U.S. fourth-graders and their families.
• Military pass — free for active-duty service members and dependents.
• Access pass — free lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a permanent disability.

What a pass does NOT cover

A valid pass never covers camping fees, backcountry permits, timed-entry or shuttle reservations, or guided tours — all of those are billed separately, even to a pass holder standing at the gate with an $80 annual pass in hand.

There are also a handful of days each year when the entrance fee is waived entirely — see our full 2026 fee-free calendar for the dates and a new residency restriction worth knowing about.

Want to see exactly how individual park entrance fees stack up, from $35 at parks like Yellowstone and Zion down to completely free? Check our full ranking of national park entrance fees.

Still deciding whether the annual pass makes sense for your trip? Our America the Beautiful Pass break-even calculator works through the exact math against $35 and $30 entrance fees.

Traveling with a permanent disability? A separate, free lifetime version of this pass exists — see our guide to the Access Pass and wheelchair-accessible national parks for how to qualify and which parks have the most accessible trails.

Frequently asked questions

Is the America the Beautiful pass worth it for a single park visit?

Usually not — a single-park entrance fee is typically $20–$35 per vehicle for a week, so the $80 annual pass only pays off once you're visiting three or more fee-charging parks or federal recreation sites in a year.

Does the pass cover camping or timed-entry fees?

No. It covers the standard entrance fee only; camping, backcountry permits, and timed-entry or shuttle reservations are separate charges even with a valid pass.

Who qualifies for a free pass?

U.S. fourth-graders (Every Kid Outdoors), active-duty military and dependents, and U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a permanent disability all qualify for a free annual or lifetime pass.

Does the new nonresident surcharge apply to everyone who isn't American?

It applies specifically to non-U.S.-residents, regardless of citizenship, at the 11 named parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee — check the specific park's current fee page, since the list and amount can change.