Annual Passes That Are Valid in Multiple U.S. National Parks and Free Days When You Do Not Need Any
Although many of the United State’s national parks offer individual entrance fees, there are also annual passes available, which allow you to enter multiple national parks, state parks, and federal recreational lands. Here are 9 annual passes that are valid in multiple national park sites. This list also covers information about free entry days!
Hawaiʻi Tri-Park Pass

The Hawaiʻi Tri-Park Pass admits pass holders and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle to three different sites. These are the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Haleakalā National Park, and Puʻuhonua ʻO Hōnaunau National Historical Park. You can hike the Nāhuku trail (Thurston Lava Tube) with this pass.
Southeast Utah Parks Annual Pass
The Southeast Utah Parks Annual Pass is valid at Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Hovenweep National Monument, and the Natural Bridges National Monument. Highlights include the Delicate Arch Trail (Arches National Park), and stargazing in Canyonlands National Park as it’s an International Dark Sky Park.
Flagstaff Area National Monuments Annual Pass
The Flagstaff Area National Monuments Annual Pass permits entrance to multiple sites near Flagstaff in Arizona. These are the national monuments of Sunset Crater, Walnut Canyon, and Wuptaki. With this pass, you can visit archaeological sites, including Wukoki Pueblo and Wupatki Pueblo. The hiking trails at Walnut Canyon (the Rim Trail and Overlook Trail) are popular too.
Northern California/Southern Oregon 4-Park Pass
This annual pass permits entry to Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Lava Beds National Monument (all in California), as well as Crater Lake National Park (Oregon). Crater Lake is the United State’s deepest lake with depths of 1,943 feet making it a must-visit.
Oregon Coast Passport
The Oregon Coast Passport includes entrance and day-use fees, as well as vehicle parking at all federal and state sites along the Oregon Coast. Popular sites include the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Cape Lookout State Park, and Fort Stevens State Park.
Assateague Island National Seashore Annual Pass/Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Annual Pass
Both Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Island National Seashore honor site-specific annual passes, so you can easily visit the two. The two areas are famous for their beautiful beaches, variety of birdlife, and wild horses, so have a lot to offer. Assateague Lighthouse is one of the main attractions!
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Annual Pass
This annual pass is valid for the national parks of Sequoia and Kings Canyon, as well as the Giant Sequoia National Monument and the Hume Lake Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest. These sites offer you the chance to walk among giants, as ancient sequoia trees can reach heights of over 300 feet tall.
Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot Annual Pass
This annual pass covers entrance fees to both Montezuma Castle National Monument and Tuzigoot National Monument. Both monuments allow you to visit archaeological sites, and see evidence of the people who used to live in the Verde Valley around 1,000 years ago. Hiking is the best way to explore.
Great Falls Annual Pass
The Great Falls Annual Pass includes access to Great Falls Park in Virginia and the Great Falls area of the C&O Canal National Historical Park (Maryland). Great Falls is an impressive natural wonder, offering natural beauty and dramatic rapids. There are three different overlooks to visit.
America the Beautiful Annual Pass
The ‘America the Beautiful’ annual pass is available to everyone and includes access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. This includes Arches National Park, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain National Park, and the Great Smoky Mountains, among others. This annual pass costs $80 so is well worth the money!
Free Entrance Days
January 15: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
To honor Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy, the National Park Service waives entrance fees for everyone on January 15, his birthday. It’s the first free entrance day of the year. On this day, thousands of volunteers often participate in service projects across the United States.
April 20: First day of National Park Week
National Park Week celebrates the country’s fantastic national parks. The first day of this week starts on April 20, when park entrance fees are waived. With over 400 national park sites to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Other events are held throughout the week.
June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
Juneteenth National Independence Day became a national holiday in 2021. It honors ‘Juneteenth’, one of the oldest-known commemorations in terms of the abolition of slavery in the U.S. On June 19, entrance is free to all national parks, encouraging people to honor this day.
August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) provides funding to improve national parks and public sites. This funding helps with creating recreational activities and improving infrastructure. To celebrate the anniversary of this legislation, all national parks are free to visit on August 4.
September 28: National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day was established in 1994 and is the largest single-day volunteer effort in the nation. It takes place on September 28, when thousands of volunteers come together to help preserve and restore public lands. On this day, entrance to the national parks is free.
November 11: Veterans Day
The final free entrance day is held on November 11, Veterans Day. To honor and remember the country’s veterans, the National Park Service invites all individuals to visit the the United State’s national parks for free. To learn about the country’s history, you can visit some of the military sites and battlefields.
Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.