National Parks in the US offer diverse landscapes and ecosystems. A National Parks Pass allows entry to all 58 parks and is available as an annual or lifetime ticket. There are four types of passes, including a discounted pass for seniors, a free pass for visitors with permanent disabilities, and a pass for outstanding volunteers. Visitors under 16 get free admission.
National Parks in the United States are often cited as breathtaking treasures filled with natural wonders. These 58 reserves feature wildly diverse landscapes and ecosystems, from the wild tropics of Hawaii’s Volcano National Park to the majesty of Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. A National Parks pass, also known as an America the Beautiful pass, is an annual or lifetime ticket that allows entry to all 58 parks. Available through the National Park Service, a National Parks Pass is a gateway to a lifetime of extraordinary wilderness experiences.
Many national parks charge an entrance fee on a daily or weekly basis. This fee helps pay for the upkeep, monitoring and upkeep of the park, as well as help pay the park employees. In 2004, the National Park Service created the Interagency Pass program to promote greater park participation and awareness. Now, with an annual pass, visitors can access all of the national parks.
There are four different types of National Park Passes that can be purchased through the National Park Service website or at many of the parks themselves. Most people qualify for the basic annual pass, which allows admission to up to four adults to all parks in the program. It’s important to note that visitors under 16 get free admission to national parks, so one pass can be used to cover up to four adults and all visitors under 16 if needed.
Available at a significantly discounted rate is the National Parks Pass for Seniors. Anyone over the age of 62 can qualify for this type of pass, although identification proving age may be required to complete the purchase. Instead of operating on an annual system, the senior pass is a lifetime entry pass for the holder and up to three other adults. The senior pass also includes discounts on certain other taxes, goods and services.
As part of an ongoing campaign to increase visits from the disabled community, a free Lifetime National Parks Pass is available for visitors with permanent disabilities. This pass may require ID and some medical documents to purchase, but like other passes it admits both the holder and three other adults.
The fourth and final type of national park pass is for outstanding volunteers. For those who can provide proof of 500 volunteer hours, the National Parks Service offers a free one-year membership equivalent to the regular annual membership. To qualify, visitors may need to submit evidence corroborating volunteer efforts, such as time sheets or letters signed by volunteer coordinators.
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