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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →A 2025 America the Beautiful annual pass was valid for 12 months from its purchase date under the terms in effect when it was bought. That is different from buying a pass now: the National Park Service lists the 2026 annual pass at $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for nonresidents. If you bought in 2025, your pass does not expire simply because the calendar changed; check its purchase date and use it during its original validity period.
What the America the Beautiful pass covers
The America the Beautiful—The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at participating federal recreation sites managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The National Park Service notes, “Most of the sites managed by the National Park Service are free to visit, but some require an entrance pass.” NPS: Entrance Passes
How admission is charged determines who or what the pass covers at an entrance:
- At sites charging by vehicle, it covers one private vehicle and its occupants.
- At sites charging per person, it covers the pass holder and up to three additional adults; children under 16 are admitted free.
- NPS says every America the Beautiful pass covers two motorcycles per pass.
The pass pays entrance and standard day-use fees, not every cost associated with a trip. A park may require a separate reservation or timed-entry permit, so check the park’s current requirements before traveling.
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What a 2025 pass cost—and whether it still works
The 2025 purchase price is a historical price, not the current price. The Department of the Interior announced new resident and nonresident annual-pass tiers effective January 1, 2026. NPS currently lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80 and the Non-Resident Annual Pass at $250. DOI announcement, November 25, 2025 · NPS pass prices
A valid annual pass purchased before January 1, 2026 remains valid for 12 months from purchase and is honored under its original terms. In particular, a nonresident who bought an annual pass in 2025 can use it for covered entrance fees and nonresident fees while it remains valid. Confirm the expiration date on the pass rather than assuming it runs through the end of a calendar year. NPS: Nonresident Fees
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What changed for nonresidents in 2026
Beginning in 2026, visitors who are not U.S. residents and are age 16 or older face an additional $100 per-person fee at 11 designated national parks, on top of standard entrance fees, unless an eligible pass covers the fee. The parks are:
- Acadia
- Bryce Canyon
- Everglades
- Glacier
- Grand Canyon
- Grand Teton
- Rocky Mountain
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon
- Yellowstone
- Yosemite
- Zion
NPS says the $250 nonresident annual pass covers the entire vehicle, two motorcycles, or the pass holder plus three additional adults where admission is charged per person. Review NPS’s current fee and eligibility guidance before a visit, including its documentation and verification rules. NPS: Nonresident Fees
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How to decide whether buying an annual pass makes sense
There is no universal break-even number of visits because entrance prices vary by park and may be charged per vehicle or per person. Compare the pass price with the entrance fees you expect to pay during its 12-month validity period, and check whether you qualify for a free or discounted pass before purchasing.
- Several paid visits: Add up the entrance fees for the parks you expect to visit. Include who will be in the vehicle or group and whether the site charges per vehicle or per person.
- Repeated visits to one park: Compare the federal annual pass with that park’s own annual pass; a park-specific pass may better suit a trip pattern concentrated at one site.
- One visit: Compare the standard entrance fee with the annual pass price rather than assuming the annual pass is the better deal.
- Potentially free or discounted eligibility: Check NPS’s pass comparison for categories including Senior Annual and Senior Lifetime passes for eligible U.S. citizens and residents age 62 or older, as well as free military, Access, 4th Grade, and qualifying volunteer passes. NPS: Entrance Passes
Keep reservations outside that cost comparison: a pass does not guarantee entry when a separate reservation or timed-entry system applies.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to buy or obtain the pass
NPS lists physical passes at more than 1,000 federal recreation sites and mail order through the USGS Online Store. Mail orders can take up to three weeks to process and deliver, and the order receipt is not a substitute for the physical pass. Digital passes are available through Recreation.gov and can be used immediately after purchase and stored on a mobile device. Check the official purchase page for current instructions before travel. NPS: Entrance Passes
Quick Recap
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
