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6 National Park Pass Discount Programs in 2023

6 National Park Pass Discount Programs in 2023

My National Park pass discount is one of my most prized possessions. My family has a free lifetime pass and we’ve been able to explore parks from coast to coast without paying a penny for entry. It’s been an incredible opportunity for us.

After all, the most magnificent wonders in the United States are tucked within National Parks. From the towering, glacial peaks of Mount Rainier to the 800 miles of scenic wonderland in the Great Smoky Mountains, the parks hold some of America’s greatest treasures.

A visit to a destination like this is a wonderful experience… until you get to the gate and realize you can’t afford to go in. That’s happened to us more than once and it’s a major disappointment every time.

Receiving our free lifetime National Park pass was an incredible experience because it meant we would never be turned away again due to our inability to pay. It’s brought a lot of joy into our lives over the years, so I wanted to share how you could get this same opportunity.

National Park Pass

The standard National Park pass costs $80 per year. It’s available to everyone and can be purchased in person, online, or over the phone.

This interagency pass covers entrance fees at more than 2,000 sites that are managed by federal agencies. Because it covers admission to lands owned by five different agencies, the pass is often called an Interagency Pass.

The five agencies involved include:

  • Bureau of Land Management
  • Bureau of Reclamation
  • Fish & Wildlife Service
  • National Park Service
  • USDA Forest Service
  • US Army Corps of Engineers

That means that this pass can get you into many destinations, including:

  • National Parks
  • Wildlife refuges
  • National forests and grasslands
  • and more!

The pass covers standard amenity fees and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle. At locations that charge per person instead of per car, the pass will cover up to four adult passengers. All children (age 15 and under) are admitted free.

The pass only covers the entry fee. It does not cover any special amenities like camping or boat launching.

However, $80 per year is more than most of our readers can afford to pay so let’s talk about ways that you can get a discount.

National Park Pass Discount Programs

There are many different discount programs for low income Americans. We’ll break each one down in this post so that you can choose the National Park pass discount that is best for you and your family.

FREE Military Annual Pass

If you are currently serving in the US military, then you can receive a free annual pass for your household. You just need to show your military ID at a federal recreation site to get this free pass.

The pass will provide free entry for you and your dependents.

FREE Military Lifetime Pass

Veterans and Gold Star Families can get a free lifetime pass! This is my favorite National Park pass discount, because it’s the one my family used. You’ll never have to worry about renewing your annual pass and you’ll never have to worry about being turned away at the gate because you can’t afford to pay.

In order to receive this pass, you will need to show your Veteran ID or Gold Star Family Voucher at the federal recreation site. You can also order the pass online through the USGS Store, but you will have to pay processing and shipping fees if you choose to order it online. It’s much easier to just pick it up when you go on your next adventure.

FREE 4th Grade Annual Pass

Students who are currently enrolled in the 4th Grade can get an incredible National Park pass discount, too! Every Kid Outdoors provides FREE admission during the student’s 4th Grade year and the following summer. It’s valid from September through the end of the following August.

Homeschooled students and free-choice learners can also get this pass! It can be claimed the September after the student turns 10 years old.

To claim this pass, you need to fill out the form at Ever Kid Outdoors. You’ll receive a printed voucher, which you can trade for an official pass when you visit a federal recreation site. You need to make sure you print that voucher because they are very strict about this and will not accept a digital version that is shown on a smartphone or tablet screen.

FREE Disability Lifetime Pass

There is an Access Pass that provides free, lifetime access for those with permanent disabilities. In order to receive this, you will need to provide documentation that proves you have a disability, that the disability is permanent, and that you are either a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

The Access Pass may provide a 50% discount on certain amenities, like camping and boat launching, as well.

FREE Volunteer Annual Pass

Volunteers who serve for at least 250 hours can receive a free annual pass as well. The service hours must be provided to the five federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program.

In order to receive this discount, you will need to work with your volunteer coordinator to validate your hours.

National Park Pass Discount for Seniors

Seniors who are age 62 or older can purchase discounted interagency passes. There is an annual option and a lifetime option. The Annual Senior Pass is $20. The Lifetime Senior Pass is $80, or the value of four years of annual passes.

The Senior Pass also provides a 50% discount on certain amenity fees, such as camping, swimming, boat launches, and interpretive services.

In order to receive this discount, you will need to provide proof of your age. You will also need to provide proof of either citizenship or residency. This pass can be picked up in-person or ordered online, as well.

Other Park Pass Discounts

If you qualify for one of these National Park pass discounts, then you may also qualify for discounts on your state parks passes, too! There are some really amazing state parks out there. My family has picked up free state parks passes in at least four different states over the years, and it’s been a great way to experience the most beautiful places in America at a discount.

If you enjoy adventure, you may also be interested in our list of over 1,000 destinations that offer EBT discounts, too!

 

Nicole is the owner and lead researcher for Low Income Relief. She has over 20 years of professional research and writing experience, and she has been solely dedicated to investigating low income topics for the last 10 years. Nicole started Low Income Relief after a personal experience with poverty. When her husband was medically discharged from the US Army, their family experienced tremendous financial hardship. Nicole was able to gather help from multiple community agencies and move into a nearby low income housing unit in just two weeks! Since then, Nicole has been dedicated to helping low income families in crisis. She regularly spends hundreds of hours combing through countless resources to make sure that Low Income Relief has the most comprehensive and complete resource directories on the internet today. Prior to starting Low Income Relief, Nicole worked as a novelist, journalist, ghostwriter and content creator. Her work has been featured in various print and online publications, including USA Today, The Daily Herald, The Chronicle and more. Her work has also been featured by Google for Publishers and other leading industry publications.