National Parks Free Entry

National Parks Passes

In addition to the free days there are free and discounted national parks passes available to fourth-grade students, current members of the military, military veterans, disabled persons and seniors.

Here are the free and discounted National Parks passes:

• Fourth grade students are entitled to an NPS pass that will get the student and their families into all National Parks for one year.  This pass is under the Every Kid Outdoors Program.  The pass gives free entry to a fourth-grader and everyone else in the vehicle (up to 3 adults and all children under 16 are free).  You can get the pass at: Get Your NPS Fourth-Grader Pass
• Military Pass: Current military personnel can gain free entry to National Parks by showing a Common Access Card or Military ID.  Allows pass owner and accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle to enter federally operated recreation sites across the country.  For more details, visit: Military Pass
• Veterans Pass: Military veterans and Gold Star Families are entitled to free entry to National Parks since a federal order issued in 2020.  Free access is for the veteran or the holder of the Gold Star Family voucher as well as travelling companions who are occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle. A veteran will need to present identification such as a Veteran ID Card.  For more details visit:  Free Entrance to National Parks for Veterans and Gold Star Families
• Senior Pass:  U.S. citizens age 62 or over can get a Lifetime Senior Pass for $80 or an annual pass for $20.  Senior passes can be purchased at select recreation sites or online at:  NPS Senior Pass.  There is an additional $10 fee for online purchases.
• Disability Pass:  U.S. citizens with permanent disabilities can get a free lifetime parks Access Pass with the proper documentation. Access passes can be obtained at select recreation sites or online at:  Parks Access Pass.  There is a $10 fee for online processing.

Which Parks Charge Entry Fees?

There are more than 400 national parks available to everyone, every day. Some are free, others charge up to $35 per vehicle.  You can find all the park entry fees at:

Entrance Fees by Park

Top National Parks

The most visited national park is the Great Smokey Mountains (12 million visits) followed by Yellowstone, Zion and Ricky Mountain.  For the top 10 list visit”

National Park Visitation Numbers

AARP’s List of Top National Parks

More Information

For more information on the National Parks, visit these websites:

National Park Service Home Page

Find a National Park

National Park Events Calendar

Virtual Parks Tours

National Park Service Facebook Page

NPS Youtube Channel