America the Beautiful Pass 2026: Prices, Coverage and How to Buy

2026 prices

The National Park Service lists these America the Beautiful passes:

The Department of the Interior announced the two-tier pricing, with the $250 nonresident price starting January 1, 2026. The USGS Store, which sells physical passes by mail, notes that anyone can buy the nonresident pass and that it adds a $7.50 fee to online orders.

What the pass covers

According to the NPS, the pass covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at sites managed by six agencies: the National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and US Army Corps of Engineers.

Depending on how a site charges, one pass covers:

• One private vehicle and its passengers, at per-vehicle sites, or
• The pass holder plus three adults at per-person sites. Children under 16 are free.

For nonresidents, the $250 pass also covers the new $100 nonresident fee at the 11 parks that charge it, for the pass holder and passengers in a private vehicle, or the pass holder plus three people 16 and over where fees are per person.

What it doesn't cover

• Timed entry and reservation fees. The NPS notes other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply.
• Camping, tours, concessions and special permits. The Senior Pass may give 50% off some amenity fees, such as camping, but generally doesn't cover special recreation permits or concession fees.
• Parking at Great Smoky Mountains. That park has no entrance fee, but parking tags are required and the park says passes aren't accepted in their place.

Is it worth it for your trip?

The rough rule for US residents: most big-name parks charge $30 or $35 per vehicle for a standard pass, valid up to seven days. Two $35 visits cost $70, under the $80 pass. Three cost $105. So if you'll visit three or more fee parks within 12 months, the pass generally pays off.

For nonresidents, the math changes at the 11 parks with the $100 per-person fee. Two adults visiting Yellowstone alone would pay $35 plus $200 in nonresident fees, $235, close to the $250 pass, and any second such park makes the pass clearly cheaper.

Put your own parks into the pass calculator.

Park-specific annual passes

If you only visit one park often, its own annual pass may be cheaper. For example, nps.gov lists $70 annual passes at Yellowstone, Zion and Grand Canyon, a $55 Southeast Utah Parks pass covering Arches and Canyonlands, and a $35 pass at Capitol Reef. Some park annual passes are listed as available to US citizens and residents only.

How to buy

The NPS lists three ways:

1. In person at more than 1,000 federal recreation sites. The NPS recommends this.
2. By mail from the USGS Online Store. Orders can take up to three weeks; the NPS recommends ordering at least three weeks before your trip.
3. Digital through Recreation.gov, usable immediately from a phone.

Bring photo ID: the NPS says pass holders must show valid photo identification with each pass. Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable and can't be replaced if lost or stolen.

Fee-free days

On fee-free days, entrance is free at every NPS site that charges a fee. Starting in 2026, they apply only to US citizens and residents. See 2026 fee-free days.

Common questions

Is the America the Beautiful pass worth it?

If you'll make three or more visits to parks charging $30 to $35 per vehicle within 12 months, the $80 pass costs less than paying each time. Use our pass calculator with your own parks.

Can two people share one pass?

The NPS notes passes are non-transferable and the pass holder must show photo ID. The pass covers others traveling with the pass holder, in the same vehicle or up to three adults at per-person sites.

How long does the pass last?

The annual pass is valid for 12 months. The Nonresident Fees FAQ notes passes bought before 2026 remain valid for 12 months from purchase under their original terms.

Can I get a digital pass?

Yes. The NPS says a digital America the Beautiful pass is available through Recreation.gov and can be saved to a phone and used immediately.