Nearly every sector of the economy , including travel , has experienced rising prices . Hotel rooms , new and used vehicles , airline fares and restaurant meals have seen major price increases during the last several years .
Entrance fees have increased at some national parks but remain a miniscule slice of most travel budgets . A 7-day pass for occupants of a private vehicle entering Yellowstone National Park is $ 35 , the same as neighboring Grand Teton National Park . Many national parks charge even less or nothing at all . Compare this to cost of one person purchasing a single-day ticket in June to Disney World ’ s Magic Kingdom .
While national park entrance fees remain a bargain , many travelers will find annual and lifetime passes to be an even better deal .
Individual parks that charge an entrance fee generally offer their own annual passes for about twice the cost of a regular pass . For example , an annual pass for Grand Canyon National Park is $ 70 compared to the park ’ s $ 35 7-day pass .
Even better is the America the Beautiful Pass that sells for $ 80 and covers entrance fees for a private vehicle and its passengers to all national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as facilities operated by other federal agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management and U . S . Forest Service .
The pass is valid for a year from the month of purchase and remains one
Stunning views of the Grand Canyon are well worth the park ’ s $ 35 entry fee .
of the great bargains available to both U . S . citizens and foreign visitors . Consider a family of four planning a trip that includes visits to Grand Canyon , Bryce Canyon and Zion national parks .
Each park charges a $ 35 entrance fee , resulting in an outlay of $ 105 to visit all three units . At $ 80 , an America the Beautiful Pass costs $ 25 less and offers free entrance to these and other national parks and federal agency locations for an additional 11 months .
While purchase of the America the Beautiful Pass is beneficial for many travelers , a variety of other passes are available that may well offer some individuals an even better option .
One of the most popular national park passes is the lifetime Senior America the Beautiful Pass for those age 62 and older that covers all passengers in a private vehicle for only $ 80 . This pass sold for $ 10 before jumping to $ 80 in 2017 .
Like the America the Beautiful Pass , the senior pass allows entry into all national parks and other federal agency locations for the lifetime of the pass holder . This pass also offers a 50 % discount on a variety of services such as camping fees , boat launches , and some interpretive programs .
The longer you live , the more you save with this pass . A one-year senior pass is available for $ 20 . The annual senior pass converts to the lifetime pass after being purchased four times .
U . S . Citizens and permanent residents with permanent disabilities qualify for a lifetime America the Beautiful Access Pass that offers the same benefits as the lifetime senior pass , but at no cost . Other free annual passes are available to current military members and dependents , along with Reserve and National Guard members .
A free annual pass is offered to park volunteers with 250 service hours and to 4th graders and their families for the student ’ s school year through the end of the following summer . Free lifetime passes are also available for U . S . military veterans and Gold Star families .
As mentioned above , not all national park units charge an entrance fee . In fact , nearly three-quarters of NPS units allow free entrance .
In addition , the National Park Service offers no-cost admission to all of its units during five specific days each year : Martin Luther King , Jr .’ s Birthday ( Jan . 15 ), the first day of National Park Week ( April 22 ), the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act ( Aug . 4 ), National Public Lands Day ( 4th Saturday in September ) and Veterans Day ( Nov . 11 ).
Passes mentioned above are generally available at national parks and other federal facilities that charge an entrance fee . Documentation is required for individuals who wish to purchase specialized passes such as those for seniors or the permanently disabled .
Many of the passes can be purchased online from the United States Department of the Interior at https :// store . usps . gov . Requirements , an explanation of benefits and application forms are included . An additional
$ 10 handling fee is charged when a pass is purchased online . The passes cannot be transferred and will not be
replaced if lost or stolen .
David and Kay Scott live in Valdosta , Georgia , and are authors of “ Exploring the Oregon Trail : America ’ s Historic Road Trip ” ( Globe Pequot ). Visit them at blog . valdosta . edu / dlscott . M www . meridianstar . com
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