A few years ago, the National Park Service began offering military families their annual park pass for free. For non-military folks, this pass costs $80. The annual pass allows you access to over 2,000 national parks and recreation areas. It covers the admission cost for one vehicle or four adults, depending on the park. I found out about the program from a coupon website, and we signed up for it on our honeymoon at the Wright Brothers’ Memorial. The pass is good for one year from the date of issue. I signed up for another pass this year when my parents and I went to Baltimore for the Fourth of July.
The basics
The standard National Park Service pass costs $80 a year. This allows unlimited access to all of the National Park Service properties. Keep in mind that not all sites charge admission. Seniors can buy a lifetime pass for $80 or an annual pass for $20 a year.
Below is a breakdown of the costs without the pass for the parks we’ve visited just this year. Visits to four parks totaled $40, or half the cost of the pass. We were able to see these sights for free with our pass.
Fort McHenry: 3 adults x $7 = $21
Great Falls National Park: 1 car x $5 = $5
Manassas National Battlefield: 2 adults x $3 = $6
Antietam National Battlefield: 2 adults x $4 = $8
Free options
Military families, families with students in the fourth grade, and people with disabilities qualify for a free annual pass each year. Volunteers who complete at least 250 hours of service a year can earn a pass that is good for a year. Proof of eligibility will be required.
Additional information about the program is available here. If you’re a military family who loves the outdoors, this is the pass for you! Just visit your closest national park or recreational area to sign up today!
