National Parks Entrance Pass

 

The National Park Service and its official nonprofit partner, the National Park Foundation, introduced a new National Parks Pass during National Park Week in April of 2000. Below is a list of questions I asked the NPF about the park pass that I thought people might want answers to. These questions, as well as the answers I received, are listed below. 

Why has a new national park pass been introduced?  
The National Park Service wants to provide a tool that creates value for American families while connecting them to the breadth and depth of the national parks. In addition, the National Parks Pass will provide an opportunity for stewardship of the Parks, operating as a membership card to America’s “special places.”

How much does the new pass cost and how long is it good for?  
The NP Pass costs $50 and is good for one year from the date of purchase. For an additional $15, the purchaser of an NP Pass will get a gold hologram sticker that upgrades the Pass to a Golden Eagle Pass.

What can the new National Parks Pass be used for?  
The NP Pass is valid for vehicle and per person entrance fees. It admits owner, spouse, children and parents where a per person fee is charged, and admits all vehicle occupants where a vehicle entrance fee is charged. The NP Pass covers admission to national parks only.

Where can it be purchased?  
The NP Pass can be purchased online at www.nationalparks.org or by calling 1-888-GO-PARKS. Passes purchased on-line or by phone will be issued within 48 hours and are provided engraved with the cardholder’s name. The NP Park Pass can also be purchased at national parks with entrance stations and visitor centers.

Can it still be ordered by mail?  
Yes, to order by mail send a check or money order payable to the "National Park Service" for $50 (plus $3.95 for shipping and handling) to: National Parks Pass, 27540 Avenue Mentry, Valencia, CA 91355. 

Is the one-year expiration good from the date on which it was purchased or when the pass is first used?  
The NP Pass is good for one full year from date of purchase.

My Golden Eagle Passport won't expire for another 6 months. Will it still be accepted?  
The Golden Eagle Passport will still be valid.

What will happen to the current Golden Eagle Passport?  
For an additional $15, the purchaser of the NP Pass will receive a gold hologram sticker that upgrades the NP Pass to a Golden Eagle. The upgrade may be purchased at any public land agency now selling the Golden Eagle. Other land agencies will also continue to sell the current Golden Eagle card. The NP Pass with the hologram provides the same benefits as the existing Golden Eagle.

Will the Golden Access Passport and Golden Age Passport be affected in any way?  
No, those programs will continue to provide the same benefits as they do now.

How will money be used from the sale of the National Park Pass?  
More than 80 percent of revenues from sale of the Pass will fund projects to support park conservation, education, and access efforts. Some of the projects include:

• Trail restoration in Sequoia National Park.  

• Campground improvements at Zion National Park.  

• New interpretive exhibits at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site.

What does the new pass look like?  
The NP Pass, similar to the look of a credit card, is a 324-mil plastic card with a magnetic strip on the reverse side and a serial number printed on the front. When sold through e-commerce or 1-888-GOPARKS, the card is issued with the purchaser’s name. Pass purchasers will also receive a special popout map of the entire National Park System. 

Is the new pass transferable?  
No, the NP is good only for the pass holder.

Does the new pass entitle its owner to other discounts other than entrance to the national parks? 
The NP Pass entitles the owner to an offer for the free GoParks Newsletter .

If I have any further questions, where should I call?  
Additional information about the NP Pass is available by calling 1-888-GOPARKS or online at www.nationalparks.org.

 

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