Fees & Passes

Key Information

1. Parking/transportation fees are possible

   You may need to pay for parking, or for a shuttle, ferry, or other transportation while visiting the park.

   More about parking/transportation fees

Enjoy free access to New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park—there’s no entrance fee! While we don’t offer Annual or Senior passes here anymore, you’re still welcome to explore the park at no cost. Just keep in mind that some of our partner museums and nearby sites may have their own entry fees.

2025 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:

• Thursday, January 9 — National Day of Mourning for President James Earl Carter Jr.
• Monday, January 20 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Saturday, April 19 — First Day of National Park Week
• Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
• Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
• Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day

 

 

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

To find a location near you that issues these interagency passes, search the  list of all federal recreation sites where the passes are issued, including national parks. In addition to getting one of the Interagency Passes in person at national parks and other federal recreation sites, many of the America the Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands (Interagency) Passes are available to order from the USGS Online Store (allow at least three weeks for order processing and delivery). Please visit the USGS Online Store for detailed information about how to purchase a pass online and whether purchasing a pass now is the right decision for you.

Please remember when making your purchase that Interagency Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable, cannot be extended and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Passholders must show valid photo identification (ID) with each pass.

 

Fee Free Park

New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park does not charge a park fee to visitors. Being a fee free park, it is no longer possible for visitors to purchase Annual or Senior passes at this park. Please note that entrance fees may be charged at privately owned museums and other similar sites within the National Park, including park partners. Follow this link for information about how to obtain the America the Beautiful Interagency Passes. The park still offers the free passes listed below.

At parks that do charge a fee, the entrance fee-free days for 2022 will be:

• Monday, January 17 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Saturday, April 16 – First Day of National Park Week
• Thursday, August 4 – Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• Saturday, September 24 – National Public Lands Day
• Friday, November 11 – Veterans Day

 

Passes available at
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park:

 

The 2022 Interagency Pass - Military Annual

Photo on the pass by Mark Gruenhaupt, 2020 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner

Military Annual Pass

Cost: Free

Available for:

• Current US military members and their dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force, as well as Reserve and National Guard members. Please check photo ID requirements before arriving.

How to get:

• In person: Find a location to obtain this pass at a federal recreation site.
• Online: Order this free pass from the USGS Online Store. Processing and shipping fees will be charged for online orders.

Additional Information:

• Find detailed information about this pass on the USGS Store's Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

• Learn about free access for U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families through a Military Lifetime Pass.

• Passes may not be issued as gifts since eligible recipient must present proof of eligibility.

 

The new Interagency Pass - Military Lifetime

Military Lifetime Pass

Cost: Free

Available for:

• Gold Star Families with a valid Gold Star Family Voucher
• US military veterans with a valid, veteran ID

How to get:

• In person: Find a location to obtain this pass at a federal recreation site.
• Online: Order this free pass from the USGS Online Store. Processing and shipping fees will be charged for online orders.

Additional Information:

• Find detailed information about this pass on the USGS Online Store's Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
• Learn about free access for U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families through a Military Lifetime Pass.
• Passes may not be issued as gifts since eligible recipient must present proof of eligibility.

 

The September 1, 2022 - August 31, 2023 - 4th Grade Pass

Photo on the pass by Anthony Graziano at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge in New York.

4th Grade Pass

Cost: Free pass valid for the duration of the 4th grader's school year though the following summer (September-August)

Available for: US 4th graders, including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age, with a valid Every Kid Outdoors paper voucher

How to get:

• Step 1: Get a paper voucher by visiting the Every Kid Outdoors website and following the instructions.
• Step 2: Exchange a printed voucher for the Annual 4th Grade Pass at federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees (day use fee). Find a location to pick up this pass at a federal recreation site.
• NOTE: Digital versions of the paper voucher, such as on smart phones or tablets, are not accepted to exchange for an Annual 4th Grade Pass.

Additional Information:

• Find detailed information about this pass on the Every Kid Outdoors website and the USGS Store's Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
• Educators may help students obtain 4th Grade Passes. Learn more at the Every Kid Outdoors website. Educators however, do not qualify for a 4th Grade Pass but may want to get one of the other Interagency Passes.

 

The 2022 Interagency Access Pass

Photo on the pass by Steven Koehler, Yellowstone National Park

Access Pass

Cost: Free lifetime pass

Available for: US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship.

How to get:

• In person: Find a location to purchase this pass at a federal recreation site.
• Online: Order this free pass from the USGS Store. Processing and shipping fees will be charged for online orders.
• Mail: Purchase an Access Pass using an application form (558KB PDF) that can be exchanged through mail. Processing and shipping fees will be charged for mail orders.

Additional Information:

• Find detailed information about this pass on the USGS Store's Access Pass and Frequently Asked Questions webpages.
• Find Frequently Asked Questions about this and other interagency passes on the USGS Store's website.
• The Access Pass may provide a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and specialized interpretive services.
• The Access Pass generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners.
• Golden Access Passports are no longer sold. However, these passes are still honored according to the provisions of the pass. Passes may not be purchased as gifts since eligible recipient must show proof of eligibility.
• according to the provisions of the pass.
• Passes may not be purchased as gifts since eligible recipient must present proof of eligibility.

 

The 2022 Interagency Volunteer Pass

Photo on the pass by Mark Gruenhaupt, 2020 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner

Volunteer Pass

Cost: Free annual pass

Available for: Volunteers with 250 service hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program

How to get: Volunteers should contact their volunteer coordinator for more information.

Additional Information:

• Find Frequently Asked Questions about this and other interagency passes on the USGS Store's website.
• The Volunteer Pass is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
• Contact your local federal recreation site for more information about volunteer opportunities or visit Volunteer.gov.

 

More Information

These six agencies participate in the Interagency Pass Program:

• National Park Service
• U.S. Forest Service
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

For more information about the terms used (for example, "non-commercial vehicle" or "pass owner," see Pass Program Definitions on the USGS website.

 

Passes not available at
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park:

 

Purchase Passes

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The 2022 The America the Beautiful-The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass

Photo on the pass by Mark Gruenhaupt, San Juan National Forest, 2020 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner

Annual Pass

The annual pass is not available for purchase at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park

Cost: $80 annual pass

Available for: Everyone

How to purchase:

• In person: Find a location to purchase this pass at a federal recreation site.
• Online: Buy this pass from the USGS Store.
• By phone: Call 1-888-275-8747, extension 1. Hours of operation are 8 am to 4 pm Mountain Time.

Additional Information:

• Find detailed information about this pass on the USGS Online Store's Annual Pass and Frequently Asked Questions webpages.
• This pass is non-transferable to another person.

 

The 2022 Interagency Annual Senior Pass and the 2021 Interagency Lifetime Senior Pass

Photos for the passes by Mark Gruenhaupt, 2020 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner (top) and Lori Wilkinson, Yellowstone National Park (bottom)

Senior Pass

Both Senior Passes are not available for purchase at New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
Cost:

• $80 Lifetime Senior Pass
• $20 Annual Senior Pass

Available for: US citizens or permanent residents ages 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship.

How to purchase:

• In person: Find a location to purchase this pass at a federal recreation site.
• Online: Order the lifetime pass or the annual pass from the USGS Online Store.
• NOTE: Processing and shipping fees will be charged for online orders.

Additional Information:

• Find detailed information about this pass on the USGS Store's Senior Lifetime Pass, Senior Annual Pass, and Frequently Asked Questions webpages.
• The Senior Pass may provide a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services.
• The Senior Pass generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners.
• Golden Age Passports are no longer sold. However, these passes are still honored according to the provisions of the pass.
• Passes may not be purchased as gifts since eligible recipient must show proof of eligibility.