How To Use A National Parks Pass

Above, a mother black bear and her cub in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We're around six months away from vacation season, although some people travel to our national parks during the winter, spring and autumn seasons.

The National Park Service offers a number of passes for the national parks that will make things easier on visitors' wallets. I have the lifetime senior citizens pass (ages 62+).

Travel + Leisure has an article on "How To Use A National Parks Pass".

The article states (in part):

Of the country’s 400-plus national parks, less than half charge an entrance fee. That’s a pretty good ratio, until you factor in that bigger, more legendary sites like Yellowstone, Arches, and Grand Canyon (i.e. where most of us want to visit)— those tend to be the ones that do cost money. 

A park entrance fee can range from $3 to $30: not much in the grand scheme. But for bucket-listers, or anyone looking to cram their itinerary with every last volcanic crater, rock formation, and old-growth forest, those fees can add up quickly, hence the beauty of an annual pass. Like an unlimited metro card, it can mean the difference between a quick, painless, one-time fee, and shelling out hundreds over a longer period as you travel to multiple sites. 

Here, you’ll learn the ins and outs of using a national parks pass, and how it could benefit your next trip.

Above, South Entrance to Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.