Visit every National Park this summer with the Annual Park Pass

In a lot of ways, I grew up in National Parks. My mother was an environmental scientist with the KDHE and EPA, and her passion for protecting the natural world was unmatched. Nearly every vacation we took was either with a National Park as our final destination or organized so that we could stop at one (or several) along the way. It’s no real surprise, then, that my family has had an annual National Park pass for as long as I can remember.

If you’re planning your own trip to any of our 63 National Parks, it’s well worth considering getting an annual pass of your own. The pass is available at REI, where you can double up on benefits and prepare for your National Park trip by getting a REI membership and stocking up on outdoor gear. I can honestly say that no matter how tight money and time has been, I’ve never regretted carving out space to visit these beautiful locations. Whether you're a seasoned hiker and camper or a National Park first-timer, here's why an annual pass will benefit you, including discounts and free days.

What are National Parks?

National Parks are places both natural and man-made that are preserved and protected so that they may be experienced by the average person for years to come. Many of them make up the wildest parts of the United States, and they can be one of the best places to reconnect with nature. The first National Park, Yellowstone, was declared in 1872. To this day, Yellowstone’s massive landscape has natural features and native wildlife that cannot be experienced anywhere else in the world. Since their introduction, National Parks have become a popular way to spend time with family, friends and yourself, attracting 325.5 million visitors in 2023 alone.

Why should you buy an America the Beautiful Pass?

It can save you money

If you’re only planning to visit one park, you may not need a park pass. However, many of the National Parks are near other parks and locations covered by the pass. For some, you may even have to drive through them to get to your ultimate destination.

Take Yellowstone, for instance. A standard 7-day pass is between $20 to $35, but if you approach from the South, you’ll have to drive through Grand Teton National Park, which is another $20 to $35. For just $80 with the annual pass you can visit both parks (and any other park) as many times as you want throughout the year.

Fun away from screens

National Parks are a great way to get some fresh air, get away from screens, and really experience what the world has to offer. They’re an especially cost-efficient way to have fun as a family, as for most parks you pay by the car rather than by the person. Plus, for all parks, kids under 16 get in free!

One reason that my family spent so much time at National Parks was because it was a cost-effective vacation that my single mom could take us on without breaking the bank. For what other families might spend somewhere like Disney World in a day, we could go a week or more at a National Park.

To support the parks

The best reason to buy an annual park pass is the simplest—to support the National Parks. Every park has maintenance that must be done on roadways, trails, and buildings in order for visitors to enjoy a safe, accessible experience. Each time you pay an entrance fee at a National Park (or make a donation), you’re contributing to the National Park Service’s mission of protecting and preserving some of our country’s most breathtaking places.

What’s included with the pass?

Every America the Beautiful Pass includes the following:

• A full year of access beginning the month of purchase

• Entrance for four people or one vehicle (depending on whether the park entrance fee is by person or by vehicle)

• Entrance to the 2,000+ recreation areas managed by the National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and US Army of Corps of Engineers

The pass does not cover extra charges within the park, such as camping fees, paid parking areas, etc.

Where to Buy America the Beautiful Pass

You can purchase your pass from REI Co-Op Shop (and grab the benefits of a REI membership while you're at it). If you purchase at REI, you have the option of picking up your pass in person at a REI location near you or getting the pass shipped to you.

The passes can also be purchased in person at other pass locations, by mail, or online.

Be sure to check if you’re eligible for a discount

Certain groups are eligible for discounted annual or lifetime passes, so take a look before purchasing. Generally, these discounts are available to seniors (ages 62+), current military and veterans, those with a disability, 4th graders who join the Every Kid Outdoors program, and volunteers who meet the 250 service hour requirement.

• Senior Annual Pass (ages 62+): $20

• Senior Lifetime Pass (ages 62+): $80

• Annual Military Pass (Current US Military and Dependents): $10 online, Free in Person

• Lifetime Military Pass (Gold Star Families and Veterans): $10 online, Free in Person

• Lifetime Access Pass (those with a permanent disability): $10 processing fee

• 4th Grade Pass (4th grade students who complete Every Kid Outdoors): Free

• Volunteer Pass (volunteers with 250 service hours): Free

For those who are on an especially tight budget this year, there are also free entrance days at the parks, including one to kick off National Park Week 2024!

Prepare before you go

It’s important to remember that though National Parks are some of the most stunning places in the country, they can also pose dangers to those who aren’t used to them. For example, most National Park paths are not paved, so no matter if you plan to hike a ton or simply take a stroll, being able to walk in different elevations, terrain, and weather conditions is important. Be sure to research the weather before visiting and plan accordingly with what you pack and wear.

Check out a few essentials you’ll need for pretty much any park. For a more comprehensive list on what to pack or if you're a first-timer, bookmark our guide to visiting a National Park. If you're going by car, we've got that covered too.

A water bottle to stay hydrated

It’s easy to get dehydrated in an unfamiliar landscape, but this can be especially true of places like mountains and deserts. National Parks typically have plenty of places that you can refill a water bottle but few to buy one (and even fewer to buy a disposable one). Packing your favorite water bottle ensures you stay hydrated no matter what you’re doing or where you are.

A first aid kit for emergencies

Even if it's only a couple of Bandaids and some disinfectant in your backpack, it’s a good idea to have some kind of first aid kit with you when venturing into a National Park. It’s one of those things that you hope to never need, but will regret not having if something happens.

A cooler for snacks and drinks on the go

The food and drink options in most National Parks are scarce, so bring a cooler if you want to avoid wasted time by leaving and re-entering the park every time someone gets hungry. Campgrounds and other park areas often have ice for sale, and many of the bigger parks have mini grocery stores inside of them for the essentials.

A backpack to carry it all

When choosing a backpack for your National Park visit, consider how much you plan to do activities like hiking that will take you away from your car or home base for long periods. A good backpack should be water resistant (or ideally, waterproof) and should be lightweight and well fitted to your shoulders and back.