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.
• Six official NPS fee-free days are scheduled for 2026: Jan 19, Apr 18, Jun 19, Aug 4, Sep 26, and Nov 11. These dates draw peak crowd volumes at marquee parks.
• The Interagency Access Pass is a free lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a permanent disability, covering the pass holder plus all vehicle passengers.
• Free or discounted passes also exist for seniors ($20/year or $80 lifetime), fourth-graders (Every Kid Outdoors), and active-duty military and veterans.
• 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.

Official 2026 NPS fee-free entrance days

The National Park Service waives standard entrance fees for all visitors on six designated days in 2026 across all 400+ national park units. Keep in mind that fee-free days produce peak crowd scores (often 9–10/10) at famous parks like Zion, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite. If visiting on a fee-free day, plan to arrive before 7:30 AM or choose a less congested park:

• Monday, January 19, 2026 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (quiet season at northern mountain parks; moderate winter crowds in desert parks).
• Saturday, April 18, 2026 — First day of National Park Week (kicks off the spring rush across Utah, California, and Southwest parks).
• Friday, June 19, 2026 — Juneteenth National Independence Day (peak summer vacation season system-wide).
• Tuesday, August 4, 2026 — Great American Outdoors Act Anniversary (one of the highest visitation days of the summer).
• Saturday, September 26, 2026 — National Public Lands Day (early fall foliage rush; heavy trailhead congestion).
• Wednesday, November 11, 2026 — Veterans Day (cooler shoulder season, moderate crowds).

Note: Fee-free days waive entrance fees only. Expanded amenity fees such as camping, boat launches, guided tours, and timed-entry reservations (like Angels Landing or Glacier Going-to-the-Sun Road) are still required.

National Park Access Pass (free disability pass): eligibility, documents & rules

The Interagency Access Pass is a free, lifetime entrance pass available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents of all ages who have a permanent disability (physical, mental, sensory, or cognitive). It provides free entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites managed by the NPS, USFS, BLM, USFWS, and Reclamation.

Who qualifies and documentation required

• Eligibility: You must have a permanent impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. You do not need to be 100% disabled to qualify.
• Accepted proof: A statement by a licensed physician attesting to a permanent disability; a document issued by a Federal agency such as the VA (Veterans Affairs disability award letter), Social Security Disability Income (SSDI), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI); or a document issued by a State agency (such as a vocational rehabilitation agency).
• Disabled Veterans: Veterans with a service-connected disability rating qualify for the lifetime Access Pass with their VA disability summary letter or veteran health ID card.

How to apply (in person vs. online)

• In person (100% free): Obtain it immediately at any federal recreation site that collects entrance fees. Present your photo ID and proof of permanent disability at the entrance station or visitor center. There is no fee.
• Online or by mail ($10 fee): Order through the official USGS Store (store.usgs.gov) by uploading documentation. The pass is free, but USGS charges a $10 processing fee for verification and shipping.

What the Access Pass covers (pass holder + companions)

• At per-vehicle entrance fee parks (e.g. Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion), the pass admits the pass holder and all passengers in a single private, non-commercial vehicle.
• At per-person fee sites, the pass admits the pass holder plus up to three adults (children under 16 are admitted free).
• In addition to free entrance, the Access Pass provides a 50% discount on certain expanded amenity fees, such as standard federal campsites, swimming, and boat launches (does not apply to third-party concessioner facilities).
• The pass is valid for the lifetime of the holder and never expires or requires annual renewal.

Other 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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

When are the 2026 fee-free national park days?

The six official fee-free days in 2026 are: January 19 (MLK Jr. Day), April 18 (first day of National Park Week), June 19 (Juneteenth), August 4 (Great American Outdoors Act Day), September 26 (National Public Lands Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day).

How do I get a free national park disability pass?

U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a permanent disability can obtain the free lifetime Access Pass in person at any federal entrance station by showing photo ID and documentation (VA disability rating letter, SSDI award letter, or licensed physician statement). You can also order online through the USGS Store for a $10 processing fee.

Does a disability pass cover passengers in the same car?

Yes. At all parks with per-vehicle entrance fees, one Access Pass covers the pass holder plus everyone traveling in the same non-commercial vehicle. At per-person fee sites, it covers the pass holder plus up to three accompanying adults.

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.