Effective January 1, 2007, the National Park passport program was replaced by a new program that will allow pass holders access to a variety of federal recreational sites in addition to National Park sites. The America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program is your key to sites administered by the National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.

Please see below for a list of the familiar NPS passes and descriptions of the America the Beautiful pass that have replaced them.

America the Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass - Annual Pass

The Annual Pass replaces the National Park Pass and Golden Eagle Passport.

This pass is available to the general public and provides access to and use of Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance Fee or a Standard Amenity Fee. The card is good for one year, beginning with the date of sale. The cost is $80.

The pass admits holders and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at “per vehicle” fee areas. It also allows the pass holder, plus three adults (not to exceed four adults), at “per person” fee areas. Children under the age of 16 years are admitted free.

The pass can be obtained in person by phone by calling 1-888-ASK-USGS, Extension 1, by Internet at http://store.usgs.gov/pass or by visiting participating park sites. 

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore does not charge an entrance fee.

America the Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass - Senior Pass

The Senior Pass replaces the Golden Age Passport.

This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents ages 62 years or older. The pass provides access to and use of Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance Fee or Standard Amenity Fee. This $10 pass admits the holder, and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle, at the “per vehicle” fee. It also admits the pass holder, plus three adults (not to exceed four adults), at “per person” fee areas. Children under the age of 16 years are admitted free.

The Senior Pass provides a 50% discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50% price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

This pass can only be obtained by visiting participating park sites, including Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

At Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the Senior Pass provides a 50% discount at drive-in campgrounds.

America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Access Pass

This pass replaces the Golden Access Passport.

This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Documentation is required to obtain the pass. Acceptable documentation includes a statement by a licensed physician; document issued by Federal agency such as the Veteran’s Administration, Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income; or document issued by a State agency such as a vocational rehabilitation agency. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder +3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas. Children under 16 are admitted free.

The Access Pass provides a 50% discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50% price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

The pass can only be obtained in person at participated sites, including Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

At Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, the Senior Pass provides a 50% discount at drive-in campgrounds.

America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass - Volunteer Pass

This free pass is for volunteers that have accumulated 500 hours of service in National Park sites.

It provides access to and use of Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance Fee or Standard Amenity Fee. The pass is good for one year from the date of award. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle to “per vehicle” fee areas. It also admits the pass holder, plus three adults (not to exceed four adults), at “per person” area. Children under 16 years are admitted free.

To learn about volunteer opportunities at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, please visit our Volunteer webpage.

All National Parks Passes, Golden Eagle, Golden Eagle Hologram, Golden Access and Golden Age Passports will continue to be honored according to the provisions of the pass. Only paper Golden Age and Access Passports may be exchanged free of charge for new plastic passes.

For more information ...

store.usgs.gov/pass/general.html	Purchase annual pass; Frequently asked questions about the new pass
www.recreation.gov	Recreation opportunities within any federal land area
www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm	America The Beautiful Passes
Federal Recreation Pass Program	brochure (pdf)

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