National Parks Passes - All Types

The National Parks Service sells annual and lifetime parks passes that can substantially reduce the entry and parking costs at national parks, national monuments (like the Statue of Liberty and Mt. Rushmore), and other federal lands. The Annual Pass does not cover Expanded Amenity fees such as camping, boat launching, parking, special tours, special permits or ferries, but in some locations it does get you a discount on these.

Where are the passes valid?

These passes are good at the Forest Service, the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Army Corp of Engineers sites where Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee(s) (Day use fees) are charged.

Bureau of Land Management http://www.blm.gov
Bureau of Reclamation http://www.usbr.gov
Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov
USDA Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us
National Park Service http://www.nps.gov
US Army Corps of Engineers http://www.usace.army.mil

Annual pass:

$80. Anyone 16 years or older may purchase the pass; children under 16 are always admitted free. Each Annual Pass can have up to two "owners". National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass,
The Annual Pass is valid for 12 months from the month of purchase, expiring the last day of that month.
See Site Locations that issue the Annual Pass.

Military Pass

Annual Pass - Military,
$10 processing fee on USGS Store, Free in person at sites that issue passes
Available to Current US Military, Veterans, Dependents and Gold Star families. Documentation is required.
Obtained in person at Federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees. Federal Recreation Sites
Covers entrance to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service sites that charge Entrance Fees, and covers Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites.
Admits the pass owners and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, or the pass owner and up to additional 3 adults at sites that charge per person.
Effective January 1, 2021 only one person may sign the Interagency Military Pass. The USGS Store will print your name on your pass. Current Military dependents may obtain their own pass after showing proper documentation (DD 1173).

Senior passes

Lifetime Senior Pass: Seniors (age 62 and up): the Senior Lifetime Pass, At age 62 and older, you can get a lifetime pass for $80 (2021 price), good for the rest of your life and usually covers everyone in your vehicle for entry. U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are 62 years or older. (You must have turned 62 before you can buy the pass). NOTE: Owning property or paying taxes in the U.S. does not automatically qualify you for a Senior Pass. You must be a permanent U.S. resident, or a U.S. citizen with identification such as U.S. Driver's License, Green Card or U.S. Passport. Note: previously issues Golden Age Passports are still valid.
Seniors Annual Pass. The do also sell a $20 Annual Senior Passes for seniors who do not think they will visit 4 or more parks in their lifetime.
Notes: travelling companions can also enter for free. The Senior Passes admit pass owner/s and passengers in a noncommercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas and pass owner + three adults, not to exceed four adults, where per-person fees are charged. (Children under 16 are always admitted free.). Also, at many sites, the Senior Passes provide the pass owner (only) a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees (such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours).

Children's 4th grader family passes

the Access Pass (note: a paper voucher is available at Every Kid Outdoors is required to receive the Every Kid Outdoors Pass).and
the Every Kid Outdoors Pass
Free, available to U.S. 4th Graders (including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age). Educators can also be involved! Learn more at the Every Kid Outdoors website.
The pass is valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year through the following summer (September - August).
Must have a paper voucher printed from the Every Kid Outdoors website to obtain the Annual 4th Grade Pass. Digital versions of the voucher (such as smart phones or tablets) will not be accepted.
Covers entrance to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service sites that charge Entrance Fees, and Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and US Army Corps of Engineers sites.
Admits the pass owner and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at a per vehicle fee area, or the pass owner and up to 3 adults at sites that charge per person.
Non-transferable
Once your 4th grader has completed their web based activity on the Every Kid Outdoors website, they will be awarded their voucher package for printing. Once your 4th grader arrives at the participating Federal recreation site they may exchange their Every Kid Outdoors voucher for the Annual 4th grade Pass. A list of sites that issue passes is available. Please contact the Federal land you will be visiting in advance to ensure that they have the pass available.

These passes cover entrance fees and in some cases provide a discount on special use fees such as camping, parking and tours, but do not cover 100% of concession fees such as parking (in other words, just a discount on parking, SOMETIMES)

The regular Annual Pass and Senior Passes are not sold at all parks and monuments. They are available at several area national park sites and at local United States Forest Service offices.