How do I confirm your eligibility?

To qualify for the Senior Pass, you must be a US citizen or permanent resident who is 62 years of age or older. You will need to show proof of age (a driver's license, passport, or birth certificate) and proof of US citizenship or permanent residency (the same ID documents generally serve both purposes). You do not need to be retired or meet any income requirement — age is the only qualifying factor.

How do I purchase the pass in person at a federal site?

The most straightforward way to get the Senior Pass is to stop at the entrance station of any participating federal recreation site and ask for it. Common locations include national park entrance booths, US Forest Service ranger stations, and Bureau of Land Management offices. Bring your ID, pay the $80 one-time fee (or $20 for the annual version), and you leave with the physical pass in hand. This option has no shipping wait time and lets you use the pass immediately for that same visit.

How do I purchase the pass online?

You can also purchase the Senior Pass online at store.usgs.gov (the US Geological Survey online store, which handles this program). Add the Senior Pass to your cart, provide your name and shipping address, and pay by credit card. Processing and mailing typically takes 1 to 3 weeks. The online version requires you to upload or mail documentation proving your age and citizenship or permanent residency — follow the current instructions on the website as requirements can change.

How do I use the pass at recreation sites?

When you arrive at a national park or other federal site, pull up to the entrance station and hand the pass to the attendant. The pass covers the cardholder and up to three other people in the same non-commercial vehicle — so a car with four people pays nothing. For sites without vehicle entry fees (like trails accessed on foot or by bike), the pass covers the cardholder and up to three guests. The pass does not guarantee a campsite reservation — it only covers the entrance fee.

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The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is a government program that gives US citizens and permanent residents access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country. These include national parks, national forests, Bureau of Land Management areas, national wildlife refuges, and Army Corps of Engineers sites.

For Americans aged 62 and older, the Senior Pass is one of the best deals in outdoor recreation. The pass grants the cardholder and up to three accompanying passengers in the same vehicle free entry at all federal lands that charge an entrance fee — which includes places like Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, the Great Smoky Mountains, and hundreds of others. It also provides a 50% discount on some amenity fees like camping, boat launches, and guided tours.

There are two versions of the Senior Pass. The Lifetime Senior Pass costs $80 as a one-time purchase and covers you forever — an excellent value if you plan to visit even two or three national parks over your lifetime, since many charge $35 or more per vehicle for a single visit. There is also an Annual Senior Pass for $20 per year, which is useful if you are not sure yet whether parks will become a regular part of your routine.

For people with permanent disabilities, the Access Pass is available at no cost regardless of age and provides the same benefits.

This guide explains who qualifies, where to purchase the pass, and how to use it when you arrive at a federal recreation site.

Get Your Free or Discounted America the Beautiful Senior Pass

Confirm your eligibility

Purchase the pass in person at a federal site

Purchase the pass online

Use the pass at recreation sites

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