Is A National Park Pass Worth It?

Every year, I get so excited for my first visit to a national park that allows me the opportunity to purchase an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass because I just dream about all the places this pass will grant me entry throughout the year. But each year I have people ask me is a national park pass worth it? I always say, yes, but that’s for me. There are some important questions to answer to know whether it’s right for you too, though.

First, Here’s Some Quick Info About the National Park Passes

How Much Does it Cost? The current cost of an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass is $80. 
How Long is it Good For? It’s good until the end of the month of purchase the following year. For example, we just purchased our most current park pass in September 2023, and it will expire September 30, 2024.
How Many People Can Get In On One Park Pass? An entire private vehicle can get in. Or, the pass holder and three other adults, which starts at 16. 15 and under have free entrance to National Parks. Where Does it Grant Entry? The America the Beautiful National Park Pass grants access to over 2,000 NPS-run parks, monuments, memorials and more.
NOTE – We did have the experience at Horseshoe Bend Overlook in Arizona, that the National Park Pass didn’t cover our entrance there, so there are some, or at least one, that don’t accept the pass.
What Does it Not Cover? The National Park Passes don’t cover an extra costs like special tours, permits, campsites, lodging souvenirs or anything else other than the actual entrance fee.

So, now that you know a little more about what a National Park Pass entails, here are the questions you need to ask yourself.

Do You Live Near a National Park?

If you live near a national park or monument, etc., there are often annual passes for that specific park, but if you even think you might go to other national parks that year, I think that it’s worth paying the extra money. However, if you know you won’t be visiting another national park, though, I would say this isn’t the year for you to but a National Park Pass.

How Many National Parks (Or Monuments, Etc.) Do You See Yourself Visiting in the Next 12-ish Months?

This is the big question. For example, Matt and I bought our National Park Pass in September, and in that time we visited Petrified Forest, Grand Canyon, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Yosemite and Joshua Tree National Parks and we know that next year we’ll be going to Big Bend, Canyonlands and Arches before the end of next September. So, instead of paying $285 all together or these parks, we only spent $80. So, this was a no-brainer for us. Each park has a different entrance fee, but you only have to visit about 3 different national parks service parklands to break even on the National Park Pass. Look to your year ahead and decide if that’s going to be you or not.

Do You Have a National-Park-Loving Friend or Family Member? This is a NATIONAL PARK PASS HACK if You Do!

Currently, each National Park Pass has two signature lines on the back. So, often, my parents and I will split a National Park Pass, meaning this annual pass is only $40/year for us. And since the pass is good for a car to visit, we’ve even caravanned into the Grand Canyon one year. My dad went first with his ID and the park ranger kept the pass and checked my ID and handed both back. But also, if you’re going on different trips, as long as they don’t happen at the same time, you can just hand the pass over each time. 
NOTE: This hack will only work for if you buy the pass before the end of 2023, starting in 2024, National Park Passes will only have one signature line.

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Are You 62 or Older?

Once you turn 62, you qualify for the Senior National Park Pass which means the $80 purchase will now last you for the rest of your life. So, that’s something to look forward to! Or, you can do a $20 annual

Do You Think Gifting $80 to the National Parks is a Waste?

Whenever we don’t necessarily have multiple national park trips planned, I still get a National Park Pass because even if I only use it on the one trip, I consider that extra $55 a donation to the National Parks Service and I don’t feel bad about it. I appreciate the well-kept trails, the signage, the maps and the Junior Ranger Programs that they put on. 

Obviously, purchasing a National Park Pass isn’t always going to be the best decision for everyone. Some people may not have an extra $80 to spend, others just may not get the use out of it. But these are the things that I would recommend someone consider when thinking of buying an America the Beautiful National Park Pass. 

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