FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is the America the Beautiful - the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass or "Interagency" Pass Program?

   A suite of annual and lifetime passes that provides U.S. citizens and visitors an affordable and convenient way to access Federal recreation lands. Between 80% and 100% of the Pass program’s proceeds are used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.

2. What passes and materials are included in the program?
   
   
   • Annual Pass ($80.00 - anyone 16 years and older can purchase)
   • Senior Pass ($10.00 – valid for the lifetime of the pass owner; must be 62+ older, U.S. citizen, & a permanent resident)
   • Access Pass (Free for lifetime with documentation of permanent disability, U.S. citizens & permanent residents)
   • Volunteer Pass (earned with 500+ hours of volunteer service in public lands)
   • Hangtags (used as way to display passes at un-staffed areas)
   • Annual Pass Decals (for Annual Pass owners with open-top vehicles to use in un-staffed areas only).
3. What do the passes cover?

   Each pass - Annual, Senior, Access, and Volunteer - admits pass owner/s and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas; and pass owner + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, where per-person fees are charged. (Children under 16 are always admitted free).

   The Senior and Access Passes also provide the pass owner a discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees such as camping. (Visitors are always encouraged to contact the site they plan to visit and inquire about pass acceptance before visiting).

4. Are the Passes valid at un-staffed Federal recreation sites?

   Yes. A free Hangtag is available with each Pass, providing a way to display the pass so it is visible through the windshield of a vehicle.

    

   • Insert your Annual or Volunteer Pass on the side of the Hangtag stating "Annual".
   • Insert your Senior or Access Pass on the side of the Hangtag stating "Senior/Access".
   • When visiting un-staffed Federal recreation sites, place the Hangtag on your rearview mirror, ensuring your pass is facing towards your vehicle window. The Pass back should be visible.
   • Hangtags are merely a way to display your valid pass and they are not valid for entry without a valid pass.
5. Where can I obtain the passes?

   All of the passes can be obtained in person from a participating Federal recreation site or office. (See question #6 for agency website listings).

    

   • The Annual Pass can be purchased via phone at 888-ASK-USGS, extension 1 (888-275-8747, extension 1); via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ; via the Internet at http://store.usgs.gov/pass, or at participating Federal recreation sites.
   • The Senior and Access passes must be obtained in person at a participating Federal recreation site or office, due to documentation and identification requirements. (Inquire locally)
   • The Volunteer Pass can be earned with 500+ hours of Volunteer work at participating Federal recreation sites. (Inquire locally)
6. Where are the passes honored?

   The Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation honor the passes at sites where Entrance or Standard Amenity Fees are charged.

   For further information visit:

    

   • Bureau of Land Management http://www.blm.gov
   • Bureau of Reclamation http://www.usbr.gov
   • Fish & Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov
   • USDA Forest Service http://www.fs.fed.us
   • National Park Service http://www.nps.gov
   • Federal Recreation lands http://www.recreation.gov
   • National Atlas (lands maps) http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printable.html#fedlands

   Note: Some Corps of Engineers and Tennessee Valley Authority sites may honor the Senior and Access Passes for camping discounts. (Inquire locally)

7. Why are there some recreation sites that don't accept the passes?
   • Not all Federal recreation sites charge entrance fees.
   • The passes cover standard entrance fees, not parking fees.
   • Some facilities and activities on Federal recreation lands are managed by private concessionaires. The concessionaires charge for their services as any private company does. Concessionaires might operate parking lots, campgrounds, boat ramps, lodging, and more on behalf of the land management agencies.
8. What happened to the National Parks Pass, Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access Passports?

   Golden Age and Golden Access Passports are lifetime passes that will continue to be honored for the pass owner's lifetime.

   National Parks Passes and Golden Eagle Passes were no longer sold as of January 1, 2007.

9. How is the new Annual pass different from the former National Parks Pass and Golden Eagle Passport?
   
   
   • Passes are validated at the time of purchase (not at time of first use).
   • Passes allow 3 adults in with pass owner (where per person fees are charged). Note: adults don't have to be related to one another.
   • The pass has two signature lines, and the signers don't need to be related to one another.
   • The Annual Pass permits two motorcycles to enter on one Annual Pass.
10. Does a valid Federal Duck Stamp still provide entry into FWS National Wildlife Refuges that charge an entrance fee?

    Yes.

11. Can lost or stolen passes be replaced? Is there a way that the serial numbers can be tracked?

    No. Passes cannot be replaced if lost or stolen; a new pass must be purchased. We don't currently have the capability to track pass serial numbers across all five Federal land management agencies.

12. If my pass is tattered and worn, can I get a replacement?

    Yes. As long as a portion of the pass is identifiable it may be exchanged for a new one, with proof of identification (e.g., driver's license, birth certificate).

13. If I visited a Federal recreation site and paid the entrance or use fee and have the receipt, can I trade in the receipt and pay the difference to upgrade to an Annual Pass?

    Generally, no. When you are making your purchase, you should carefully consider all of the fee and pass options.

    National Parks will ONLY upgrade entrance or use receipts from National Parks to an Annual Pass, and will NOT UPGRADE entrance or use receipts from other land management agencies. Any upgrades must be done IN PERSON AT A NATIONAL PARK, within 1-14 days of the original entry receipt purchase date.

    Currently, the other four land management agencies do not upgrade day-use entrance receipts to Annual passes.

14. Can I use a credit card to buy a pass at a Federal recreation site?

    It is a good idea to have cash with you as many Federal recreation sites are not equipped to process credit cards or checks.

15. If I forget to bring my pass to a site and pay the entrance or use fee, can I mail in the receipt and a photocopy of my pass and get a refund?

    No, you are responsible for bringing your pass with you each time you visit a recreation site. If you forget to bring your pass you will be required to pay the entrance or use fee and a refund is not possible. Additionally, pass order confirmation letters, credit card receipts or statements, and hangtags without passes are not valid for entrance or use.

16. I have a school bus that has been converted into a motor home. Will the Pass cover my entrance into a Federal recreation site?

    Yes. Your Pass will cover entry for your converted school bus. However, you will be questioned if the vehicle still looks like a school bus rather than a private motor home. Pass covers entrance for a single non-commercial vehicle