Passes
Interagency Recreation Passes
The America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands are a suite of annual and lifetime passes that provides U.S. citizens and visitors an affordable and convenient way to recreate on Federal recreational lands. They cover the use of amenities and services at many day-use sites on US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands. They also can be used at national parks, wildlife refuges, and other federal lands.
There are several pass options to consider. Visit the USGS Online Store for detailed information about the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands suite of annual and lifetime passes and consider whether purchasing a pass as this time is the right decision for you. These interagency recreation passes provide access to Federal recreational lands that have an entrance or amenity fee, and up to 100% of the Pass program's proceeds are used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services. They are available to purchase or obtain at National Forest offices, and most are available at the USGS Store (processing fees may apply for some passes).
Every Kid Outdoors 4th Grade Pass
Free for fourth grade students for the duration of the school year and following summer.
Annual Pass
An $80 Annual Pass that provides access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by five Federal agencies, with proceeds used to enhance visitor recreation services.
Senior Annual or Lifetime Pass
The $80 lifetime or $20 annual Senior Passes provide admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites.
Access Pass
A free lifetime pass - available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability.
Military Pass
A free annual pass - available to Current US Military, Veterans, Dependents and Gold Star families.
Volunteer Pass
A free annual pass - available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents who individually accrue 250 volunteer hours. The pass is available through agency volunteer program coordinators.
About Recreation Fees
The Forest Service offers places for hiking, biking, skiing, nature viewing, scenic drives, and for gathering forest products such as mushrooms, firewood, and Christmas trees. Many of the facilities and services associated with these opportunities are free. However, some do require fees or permits to help maintain, manage and improve your national forests and grasslands. Requirements may vary. Learn more by visiting Permits.
Recreation fees, authorized by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, enables federal land management agencies to reinvest the following types of fees back into the recreation sites.
Recreation Fee Types
Examples: Picnic areas, developed trailheads, destination visitor centers
Pass Coverage: Yes. Pass coverage does vary at concessionaire-managed sites
Examples: Campgrounds, highly developed boat launches and swimming areas, cabin or lookout rentals. Services like hookups, dump stations, special tours, transportation systems and reservation services.
Pass Coverage: No. However, holders of Senior and Access Passes do receive a 50% discount for single family campsites.
Examples: Shooting ranges, special events, specialized trail systems
Pass Coverage: No. However, some exceptions do exist.
Visit Permits for more information.
Fee-Free Days
The Forest Service waives recreation fees at most day-use sites on lands managed by the agency. Participation by concession-operated sites may vary.
2025 dates
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: January 20, 2025
- National Get Outdoors Day: June 14, 2025
- Juneteenth: June 19, 2025
- National Public Lands Day: September 27, 2025
- Veterans Day: November 11, 2025