Have more fun this summer when you get a Free US National Park Pass! There are a couple of ways to get free passes, and so many amazing places to explore!
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Free US National Park Pass
The National Park Service maintains so many amazing parks from Acadia in Maine to Denali in Alaska and more than 400 parks in between. Visiting the parks can get expensive, so here's how to get FREE or discounted entry.
Here are a few parks we've written about:
- Lewis & Clark National Memorial in Astoria, Oregon
- Sequoia National Park, California
- White Sands National Monument in New Mexico
- Niagara Falls Vacation, New York
- Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
- Yosemite National Park Waterfalls, California
- Acadia National Park, Maine
Free Entrance Days in the National Parks
On five days in 2022, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. The fee-free days are an awesome chance to visit a new place. It's important to note that the entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.
Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2022:
- Monday, January 17 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Saturday, April 16 – First Day of National Park Week
- Thursday, August 4 – Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
- Saturday, September 24 – National Public Lands Day
- Friday, November 11 – Veterans Day
Related: Best National Parks to Visit in Summer
Free Annual 4th Grade Pass
Did you know that 4th grade students and their families can discover our wildlife, resources, and history for free? This program, also known as Every Kid in a Park, grants US students a free admissions pass for the duration of the 4th grade school year though the following summer (September-August). This includes home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age.
How to obtain a free US National Park Pass:
- Paper passes can be obtained by visiting the Every Kid in a Park website and can be exchanged for the Annual 4th Grade Pass at federal recreation sites that charge Entrance or Standard Amenity fees (Day Use Fee) (see PDF list of federal recreation sites that issue passes).
- Digital version of the paper pass (such as on smart phones or tablets) will not be accepted to exchange for an Annual 4th Grade Pass
For more information, visit the Annual 4th Grade Pass (USGS website).
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Volunteer and get a FREE US National Park Pass
- Available for: Volunteers with 250 service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program.
- Contact your local federal recreation site for more information about volunteer opportunities or visit Volunteer.gov.
Free Annual Pass for US Military
You can save $80 and get a free US National Parks Pass if you're a member of the US military or a dependent of a service member. Read more about the Free Annual Pass for U.S. Military program.
Experience a lifetime of beauty in a day @AcadiaNPS. Pic by Stan Dzugan #Maine #FindYourPark pic.twitter.com/gJrFTYwzVE
— US Department of the Interior (@Interior) June 11, 2018
Purchase a US National Park Pass and Save
Don't have a 4th grade, not in the military or can't volunteer? You can purchase a US National Park Pass HERE. See a list of federal recreation sites (PDF), including national parks, where the passes are issued. Please note there is an extra fee for passes purchased online. The following passes are available:
"A pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A pass covers entrance, standard amenity fees and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Interagency Annual Pass (USGS website)
White Mountain National Forest Highlights
We have traveled through the White Mountain National Forest quiet a bit over the years. Here are some of our adventures:
- The Mt. Washington Auto Road, Gorham
- The Flume Gorge, Franconia
- Sabbaday Falls, Conway
- Rocky Gorge, Albany
- Diana's Baths, Conway
Other Travel Resources
- Plan Your Family Vacation Without Going Broke
- Summer Road Trip Packing List + Free Printable
- Summer Essentials: Make your own Beach & Boat Tote
- DIY Custom Vacation Memory Box
Debra C. says
I just love all of this information about our National Parks! We purchase a pass every year and tour as many parks and places as we can. They are national treasures with so much to see and learn. GREAT information - thank you for sharing!
Ashley Wilson says
National parks are our treasures for hiking. No doubt, a trail in our National parks are thrilling. Getting a discount or a free pass to visit is in the wish list of any hiker. You have opened a great resource for all hiking enthusiasts. Thanks.
Jan says
This is awesome! I had a fourth grader and had no idea about this until I saw your post on Pinterest. Thank you so much!
Lisa says
So much good info here, thank you!!
Ang Paris says
You're welcome Lisa!!