Many federal lands can be used by citizens for recreational purposes. Entrance fees are required for access to these lands, but the federal government has developed federal recreation pass programs that offer ways for citizens to save money. We have listed some of these pass programs below.
The America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is an interagency recreation pass that replaced the Golden Eagle, Golden Age and the Golden Access Passports, as well as the National Parks Pass. The four versions of the "America the Beautiful Pass" waive entrance fees for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) , Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) , Forest Service (FS) , Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) , and National Park Service (NPS) recreational sites:
- The Annual Pass - a one-year pass that costs $80.
- The Senior Pass - a $10 lifetime entrance pass for citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. who are age 62 or older. Also provides a 50 percent discount on some expanded amenity fees, such as camping and boat launching.
- May NOT be ordered online or by phone; the pass must be obtained in person and requires documentation.
- The Access Pass - a free lifetime entrance pass for citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. who have been medically determined to have a permanent disability, regardless of age. Also provides a 50 percent discount on some expanded amenity fees.
- May NOT be ordered online or by phone; the pass must be obtained in person and requires documentation.
- The Volunteer Pass - a free one-year pass for those individuals that volunteer 500 hours or more at federal recreation sites. Only one pass may be issued per year to an individual.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) will honor the Senior and Access Passes, giving a 50 percent reduction in camping fees to pass holders at its campgrounds. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will also accept the Senior and Access Passes as proof of eligibility for age- and disability-related discounts.
These passes can be obtained in person from a participating federal recreation site or office; by calling 1.888.ASK.USGS (1.888.275.8747); or by visiting the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Online Store . TVA and USACE cannot issue the America the Beautiful passes.
USACE also offers an Annual Pass for the day use areas that they operate. It may not be used at areas operated by other agencies, even if those areas are located on USACE-owned property. Holders of either an Interagency Senior or Access Pass may purchase one annual pass at a 50 percent discount. For more information, please contact USACE .
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