2006 National Parks Pass FAQ's

Yes, the NPP serves in lieu of an entrance fee at all units of the NPS, which includes monuments, historic sites, seashores, battlefields, etc. For a complete list of NPS sites visit www.nps.gov and click on "Parks and Recreation".


Your National Parks Pass is valid for one year from the last day of the month it was first used. The latest your 2006 NPP can be valid is December, 2007.


Your National Parks Pass is valid for one year from the last day of the month it was first used. The latest your 2005 NPP can be valid is December, 2006.


The NPP is activated when you first use it a National Park. It is not activated until it is punched at the entrance gate.


Yes, at Parks that charge a Per Vehicle entrance fee, everyone in your single, private non-commercial vehicle (motorcycle, car, van). No, at Parks where a Per Person entrance fee is charged, the National Parks Pass admits the owner, spouse, children and parents.


No, the National Parks Pass admits the pass holder and all accompanying passengers in a single, private, noncommercial vehicle. If the pass holder and spouse, children, or parents enter the park in two separate vehicles, only the vehicle with the pass holder is covered. The second vehicle is subject to an entrance fee.


Yes. Except at those parks that have a separate motorcycle fee, the pass admits the pass holder, spouse, parents, and children. At parks with a separate motorcycle fee, the pass allows the pass holder and spouse in on two motorcycles.


When you purchase an NPP, you will receive an Owner"s Manual that lists every national park and whether the NPP is accepted. Or, you may visit www.nps.gov, click on "Parks and Recreation", select the park you want to visit, then consult the "View all Fees" section of each park"s web page.


No, the NPP only serves in lieu of the entrance fee to a park, it does not cover any use fees, such as campgrounds, parking, or backcountry permits.


There are two signature lines for spouses on the reverse side of the pass. The pass will be honored for both individuals who sign the reverse side of the Pass even if only one name appears on the front of the card. The two names on the pass must belong to people who are married or in a spousal relationship.


No, National Parks are operated by the federal government, whereas State Parks are operated by state governments and are separate from the national system. To find State Parks, use your state’s webpage. Generally, the name of the Park it is noted as either National or State. To obtain more information about the park designations you can visit http://www.nps.gov/legacy/nomenclature.html




It is a good idea to have the $50 in cash with you as many entrance stations are not equipped to process credit cards or cheques.


No, the NPP can only be purchased at regular $50 price at the parks.


Please make your check payable to the National Park Service for the amount of $53.95 (includes shipping & handling).



The National Park Foundation,
Attention: PARKS PASS,
PO BOX 34108,
Washington, DC 20043-4108.

This is the address all correspondence should be sent to.


We do not offer maps without the pass. However, you can go to our website www.nationalparks.org, and click on "Plan Your Park Trip" at the top of the page and then select "Park Profiles." You can then search for parks by state.


We are very sorry for the inconvenience. You can purchase a pass at the park and when you get the original in the mail, please send the unused pass back to us along with a note, and we will issue you a refund. The pass must not be stamped by a park in order to qualify for the refund. This refund policy only applies to passes purchased from the internet or through the call center. This does not apply to passes purchased in a park. The address you should send it to is:

The National Park Foundation,
Attention: PARKS PASS,
11 Dupont Circle, Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20036


We apologize for the error, and your Pass is valid even though misspelled.


If you order today, you will receive your pass within 12 to 15 business days. We also offer priority shipping for an additional $11.95 which takes 5 business days. Be aware that international deliveries can take several weeks.


There is no difference in time whether you order via the internet or over the phone


You will need to contact the National Park Foundation. The number is 202-238-4200.


The charge will appear on the statement reading: Natl Park Svrs Park
888 467-2757 VA FB0001 Gov Services


The $15 hologram addition to the NPP (that provides entry into wildlife refuges, BLM, and Forest Service sites) is only available for purchase at those sites that charge entrance fees.


The GoParks® Newsletter is a quarterly publication.




Only parks have the authority to provide an upgrade. Parks will typically honor receipts that have been issued within the past fourteen (14) days. It is at the Park Fee Managers discretion.


Unfortunately, we are not able to replace lost or stolen passes.


If your Pass arrived damaged and illegible a new Pass will be sent to you immediately upon the receipt of your old Pass. If you do not feel that you have the time to wait for a replacement pass; you may purchase another one at the park, return the damaged pass and receive a refund.




The Golden Age Passport is available to citizens or permanent residents of the US who are 62 or older. Must be obtained IN PERSON at a federal area where an entrance fee is charged. There is a one time $10 processing fee. Must show proof of age, such as driver’s license, birth certificate, or similar document.


Golden Access is available to citizens of permanent residents of the US who are blind or permanently disabled. Must be obtained IN PERSON at a federal area where an entrance fee is charged. Must show proof of medically determined permanent disability, or eligibility for receiving benefits under federal law. This pass is free of charge.


To locate an NPS site use the “visit your parks” section of www.nps.gov
To locate a BLM site or wildlife refuge use www.doi.gov
To locate a Forest Service site use www.fs.fed.us/


Each of these passes grants you a 50% discount on federal use fees for most facilities and services such as campgrounds, parking, and boat launches. However, it does not include special permits, like backcountry permits, nor does it include discounts at the concession run privately within the park.


The best document is usually one that shows eligibility for federal benefits based on the disability. In some cases a doctor’s note may suffice. It is suggested that you contact the park before visiting to make sure you take all the correct information.


Yes, simply take your pass with you on your next visit and request that a new one be issued.