Fees & Passes

Changes to Entrance Fees and Passes in 2026

Learn about a few upcoming changes to entrance fees and passes for non-US residents and motorcycles that begin on January 1, 2026.

Plan Your Visit

Key Information

  1. Tickets are required for some activities

    Lowell National Historical Park does not charge an entrance fee, but tickets are required to visit the Boott Cotton Mills Museum and for park tours.

    Museum and Tour Tickets

  2. Free visitor parking is available

    Visitors with vehicles no larger than 6'8" in height may park at the Hamilton Canal Innovation District parking garage at 350 Dutton St., Lowell. You can park in this garage at no cost if you obtain a valid parking voucher at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum at 115 John Street during operational hours. If you park in other City of Lowell garages or if you do not show a voucher when you exit that garage, you will be charged the posted rates for City garages.

    More about parking/transportation fees

Lowell National Historical Park does not charge an entrance fee, but certain areas like the Boott Cotton Mills Museum have associated fees.

2026 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees, including timed entry or reservation fees, may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

Beginning in 2026, free entrance on these days will be for US citizens and residents only. Nonresidents will pay the regular entrance fee and any applicable nonresident fees.

 

Museum and Tour Tickets

Boott Cotton Mills Museum - 115 John Street, Lowell MA

The Boott Cotton Mills Museum includes live demonstrations of power looms in a working 1920s era weave room. Plus explore interactive exhibits and video programs about the Industrial Revolution, labor, and the rise, fall, and rebirth of Lowell.

Cost: Adults* $6.00; Youths* (6-16) $3.00; Students* $3.00; Seniors* (62+) 4.00; Children under 6 free.

*If you present a National Park Service issued Interagency Pass, you qualify for a discount on these fees. For details, see below.

Canal Tours

Canal Boat Tours are scheduled throughout the summer. Visit www.recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777. Online ticket sales close the day before the tour. Day-of tickets are available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis at the Visitor Center (246 Market Street).

Cost: Adults $12.00; Seniors (62+) $10.00; Students (with ID) & Youth (6-16) $8.00, Children under 6 free.

Parking

Cost: Lowell National Historical Park visitors arriving in vehicles no larger than 6'8" in height may park at the Hamilton Canal Innovation District parking garage at 350 Dutton St., Lowell. Parking in this garage (only) is available to National Park visitors at no cost provided they obtain a valid parking voucher at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum at 115 John Street-note-the vouchers are only available at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum and may only be picked up during operational hours.

If you park in other City of Lowell garages or if you do not show a voucher when you exit that garage, you will be charged the posted rates for City garages, as shown here.

 

"America The Beautiful" Interagency Pass Program

These annual and lifetime passes provide U.S. citizens and visitors an affordable and convenient way to access a wide variety of Federal recreation lands, including National Parks. Between 80% and 100% of the Pass program's proceeds are used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.

Pass Cost Type Where To Get One
Annual Pass $80 An annual pass valid 12 months from month of purchase. Two people can sign the back.
Available at the Visitor Center (246 Market Street) and Boott Cotton Mills Museum (115 John Street)
Senior Annual Pass $20 An annual pass for citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., age 62 or older. One person can sign the pass. Valid photo I.D. required.
Senior Lifetime Pass $80 A lifetime pass for citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., age 62 or older. One person can sign the pass. Valid photo I.D. required.
Access Pass Free A lifetime pass for citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. who have a permanent disability, regardless of age. One person can sign the pass. Proof of medically determined permanent disability and residency required.
Active Duty Military Pass Free An annual pass valid 12 months from month of issue. Available to active duty military personnel and dependents with proper identification (CAC Card or DD Form 1173)
Annual "Every Kid Outdoors" 4th Grade Pass Free A year long pass for U.S. fourth graders. Pass is valid from September through August. An Every Kid Outdoors voucher is required to obtain the pass.
Volunteer Pass Free An annual pass for those who volunteer 250 hours or more at Federal recreation sites. Valid 12 months from month of issue. One person can sign the pass. Obtain through Volunteer Coordinators at Federal recreation sites.

"America the Beautiful" Pass Benefits

The "America the Beautiful" pass provide entrance or access to more than 2,000 Federal recreaction sites. The pass admits the pass owner and any accompanying passengers in an private vehicle. For areas that charge an entrance fee per person, the pass admits the pass holder and 3 additional adults (16 and older).

At Lowell National Historical Park, the America the Beautiful passes provide for a 50% discount at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum for the passholder and up to 3 accompanying guests. At Lowell NHP the Every Kid Outdoors pass admits the 4th grade passholder, and up to 3 accompanying guests, into the Boott Cotton Mills Museum for free. Please note that "America the Beautiful" passes do not apply to the canal boat tours.

For more information, or to order passes online, visit the USGS Interagency Pass Site.

 
The front desk at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum
The front desk at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum

Meg Moore

Last updated: December 23, 2025

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

67 Kirk Street
Lowell, MA 01852

Phone:

978 970-5000

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