America the Beautiful Passes - The Best Bargain in Camping!
Published on Jul 13, 2020
Anyone who regularly visit Federal Parks, Forests, or Recreation Areas can benefit from an America the Beautiful pass, but if you are a senior or disabled, you definitely don't want to miss out on this value! This pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal sites and covers entrance and standard day-use fees for the pass holder and all passengers in the same vehicle (up to four people if per-person fee applies). Senior and Access Pass holders also get discounts for camping and other amenities. For example, the standard fee for RVs at Hawthorn Bluff Campground at Oologah Lake is $20/night, but with a Senior or Access Pass it is just $10/night.
Annual Pass (Free for Current Military)
Cost: $80 or FREE for those currently serving in the US military.
Perks: Covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A pass covers entrance, standard amenity fees and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas (or up to four adults at sites that charge per person). Children age 15 or under are admitted free. The Annual Pass does not cover Expanded Amenity fees such as camping, boat launching, parking, special tours, special permits or ferries. Also, some facilities and activities on Federal recreation lands (including those mentioned above) are managed by private concessionaires. The concessionaires charge for their services as any private company does and the Pass is not valid for their services.
4th Grade Pass
Cost: Free for US Fourth Graders and home-schooled/free-choice learners who are ten years of age.
Perks: Same as Annual Pass.
Senior Pass (HUGE VALUE!)
Cost: $80 one-time fee for US residents, 62 or older. Never expires. (Annual Senior Pass available for $20)
Perks: Same as Annual Pass AND: At many sites the Access Pass provides the pass owner a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees (such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours). Often times, there is a 50% discount on camping spots at Army Corps of Engineer Campgrounds.
Access Pass (HUGE VALUE!)
Cost: Free for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship. Pass does not expire.
Perks: Same as Annual Pass AND: At many sites the Access Pass provides the pass owner a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees (such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours). Often times, there is a 50% discount on camping spots at Army Corps of Engineer Campgrounds.
