Visiting national parks can be a wonderful way for families to explore the outdoors together. But if you're planning a trip, you may be wondering whether you need a pass, which one to get, and whether your family qualifies for a free one.

The good news is that the America the Beautiful Pass covers more than just national parks. And if you or your child has a qualifying permanent disability, you may be eligible for a free lifetime Access Pass.

Here's what you need to know before your next adventure.

The America the Beautiful Annual Pass costs $80 for U.S. residents.  It's a good option for families who plan to visit several national parks within one year’s time.

The pass is valid for one year and covers entrance fees and standard day-use fees at participating federal recreation sites. If your family visits several fee-charging sites over the course of a year, the savings can add up.

The America the Beautiful Access Pass is free and valid for life. It's available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents with qualifying permanent disabilities.

In addition to entrance benefits, the Access Pass may provide discounts on some camping and other expanded amenity fees, depending on the location.

Who Qualifies for the Access Pass? The Access Pass is available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents who have been medically determined to have a permanent disability that severely limits one or more major life activities. There is no age requirement.

An autism or ADHD diagnosis alone doesn't guarantee eligibility. The documentation needs to explain how the condition severely limits daily life activities, and that the condition is permanent.

A letter from a licensed physician can establish eligibility. It should state that the disability is permanent, explain that it severely limits one or more aspects of daily life, and describe the nature of those limitations. Certain government-issued disability documents may also be accepted.

If your child’s diagnosis is recent, or it’s still unclear whether your child has a significant permanent disability, your doctor may not be comfortable writing this type of letter. You can still apply, and submit whatever paperwork you have from doctors’ reports, school evaluations, or other sources. There’s no penalty for having your application denied, so you may as well give it a try.

You’ll also need proof of US Citizenship or permanent residency, and photo identification.   If your child doesn’t have a photo ID, plan to provide a birth certificate with a copy of your own ID.

Not qualifying for the Access Pass doesn't mean your family has it easy or that your child doesn't need extra support. It simply means the disability doesn't meet the program's specific eligibility requirements.

There are a few other passes within the America the Beautiful program that might save you some money.

Every Kid Outdoors: Fourth graders can get a free pass through the Every Kid Outdoors program. It covers the student and accompanying family members at participating federal recreation sites.  Unlike the Annual Pass, it isn’t good for a full 12 months from the day you get it – this one runs from September 1 through August 31 of the school year, so plan accordingly.

Senior Pass: If you're 62 or older, you can purchase a Senior Pass for $20 for one year or $80 for a lifetime. No one's getting any younger, so you’ll want this one eventually!

Military Pass:  See the National Park Service website for information about free passes available to active-duty service members, veterans, and Gold Star families.

All of these passes cover entrance fees and standard day-use fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and national forests.

At sites that charge per vehicle: The passholder and passengers in one private, noncommercial vehicle.   You can pack as many kids as you want in the minivan, and grandparents too.  

At sites that charge per person: The passholder and up to three additional adults. Children under 16 are admitted free.

Remember – the pass belongs to the passholder, who needs to be present, and a ranger sometimes asks for ID.  

This happened when we visited the Grand Canyon.  The ranger at the gate asked to see the passholder's ID, so we pointed to G in the back seat, doing her thing.  He immediately understood that she was much too young to have a driver’s license, so he smiled and waved us through. That was his call, so don't count on the same result. Bring acceptable identification or supporting documents for your child.

Your pass isn’t an all-inclusive ticket to a national park vacation. It doesn’t cover things like:

Camping fees and campground reservations, although the Access Pass may offer a discount on some of these.

Special recreation permits, timed-entry reservations, or reservation fees.

Guided tours, boat trips, and activities operated by private concessioners.

Lodging, transportation, meals, and other travel expenses.

An example: Because the top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park has limited parking, you need a reservation before you can drive up there most days in from late spring through fall.    Your pass covers admission to Acadia, but not the reservation fee to use the summit road.

The Annual Pass is simple to buy. The Access Pass requires proof of eligibility, so apply well before your trip if you can.

America the Beautiful, Every Kid Outdoors, Senior, Military: order through the USGS Store. Allow time for delivery; your order receipt is not valid for entry.   

Access Pass: Apply through the USGS Store’s Access Pass page. The pass is free, but processing and shipping charges total $12.50. Allow time for processing and delivery.

America the Beautiful, Every Kid Outdoors, Senior, Military: buy at Recreation.gov. The digital pass is available for immediate use on your mobile device.

Access Pass: Follow the Access Pass application instructions on Recreation.gov.  You will not be able to use this on your device until your application is approved.

You can buy a physical annual pass at participating federal recreation sites. These same sites will have Senior and Military passes available as well. Check the National Park Service pass pickup locations before making a special trip, since not every location issues passes.

Every Kid Outdoors passes are only available online. If you’re using one of these, print out the confirmation, and bring it to the information desk, where a ranger will exchange it for a physical souvenir card.

Access Pass: Bring your supporting documents. If approved site, you can generally receive the physical pass then and there.

My recommendation: If you plan to apply for an Access Pass, start online well before your trip. If your application is denied or your documentation isn't accepted, you'll have time to review the requirements and reapply with more complete documentation, if appropriate.

Keep your pass safe. Lost or stolen passes generally cannot be replaced, so you'll need to apply again. A damaged pass may be replaceable if part of it is still identifiable and you provide the required identification.

A national park pass can make getting through the entrance easier, but it's only one part of planning a successful trip. Every family has different interests, needs, and limits. One child might love a busy visitor center and a long hike, while another prefers a quiet scenic drive and a short walk.

For inspiration, explore our articles about Yellowstone and Acadia National Parks, and stay tuned for our upcoming series on our Arizona road trip to the Grand Canyon and Petrified Forest.

Start with what your family enjoys, make a flexible plan, and always remember that the best adventure is the one that works for your family.

Happy travels!

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