How to Get Your Free Lifetime National Parks Pass for Disabilities

Did you know that individuals with disabilities are entitled to a free lifetime pass to visit our National Parks? Well, they are. So get one! I love our national parks, and some surprising places are national parks.

The America the Beautiful – Access Pass (often called the disability National Parks Pass) is one of the best federal benefits available for people with permanent disabilities. It’s free, lasts a lifetime, and covers far more than just national parks.

National park service logo with mountains and trees for disability access.
Guide on obtaining a free disability national parks pass from the national park service.

Plus, here near Philadelphia, we have so many cool places to visit within the national parks system and so many fun places to go. Normally this would be $80 per year or as much as $25-$50 per visit.

Disability National Park Pass

Many people think that ALL national parks are free, but that is not the case. Around 25% of them have fees.

Kevin and me at bryce canyon national park.
Me and my little guy at Bryce Canyon many years ago.

And, with this pass, even if the park itself does not have a fee, you could get a discount on extras (they call them amenities) such as camping or boating.

If a park has a fee, I believe the last time we went to the Grand Canyon, it was $25 a car, and the entire carload will get in for free.

Save The Post IEP Parent Form
📧 Save this for later? 📧
 
Instantly send this to your inbox.
Kids love visiting national parks, and it's even better that it's free.

National Park Access Pass-Disabled Person

To qualify, the person must have a diagnosed permanent disability. If someone in your family qualifies, there are a couple of ways you can obtain this. One is that you can go to a participating location and apply for it in person.

Before you go to one of those NPS locations, make sure you read what you need to bring with you as far as documentation. It will either have to be a note from a physician or notice that you are receiving SSDI income.

You can also apply via the mail, which is nice. DO NOT use this option if you need your pass in 15 days or less.

What you are applying for is called an “Access Pass.” (different from the Golden Access Pass for senior citizens or disabled veterans)

My sons and niece at zion national park. We've found many of the national parks to be quite accessible.

Disability National Park Pass

Here are the biggest benefits of the Disability National Park Pass.

Free entry to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites

The pass provides free admission at sites managed by agencies including:

  • National Park Service
  • U.S. Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
  • Bureau of Reclamation
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

This includes famous places like:

  • Yellowstone
  • Grand Canyon
  • Yosemite
  • Acadia
  • Great Smoky Mountains
  • Shenandoah
  • Everglades

Covers everyone in your vehicle

At parks that charge per vehicle, the pass covers:

  • The pass holder
  • Everyone else riding in the same private vehicle

If a park charges per person, the pass holder plus up to three adults enter free. Children under 16 are already admitted free.

Discounts on camping and recreation

Many federal campgrounds offer 50% off fees for:

  • Standard campsites
  • Tent sites
  • RV sites (basic fee)
  • Boat launches
  • Swimming areas
  • Some guided tours

Not every campground participates, but many do.

No annual renewal

Unlike the Annual Pass, the Access Pass is good for life.

Available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents

To qualify, you must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and
  • Have a permanent disability (physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory)

The disability does not have to be related to Social Security or VA benefits.

You don’t have to be on SSDI or SSI

Many people qualify even if they don’t receive social security disability benefits. Examples include permanent:

  • Autism
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Blindness or low vision
  • Deafness
  • Mobility impairments
  • Chronic neurological conditions
  • Permanent mental health disabilities

You’ll need documentation of your disability, such as a statement from a licensed healthcare provider or proof of disability benefits.

Cost

  • Free if you obtain it in person at a participating federal recreation site.
  • If you order online or by mail, there is typically a small processing fee (currently $10 when this was written).

A few things it doesn’t cover

The pass generally does not cover:

  • State parks (each state has its own disability pass program)
  • Concession-operated campgrounds or tours
  • Lodging
  • Gift shops
  • Most privately operated attractions within parks

Is it worth getting?

Absolutely. Even if you only visit one or two national parks, the pass often pays for itself immediately. For families who camp or visit federal recreation areas regularly, the lifetime free admission and campground discounts can save hundreds of dollars over the years.

How to Apply for a Free Disability National Park Pass

At many sites, the Access Pass provides the pass owner a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees (such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours).

You can obtain an Access Pass in person, with proper documentation, from a participating Federal recreation site or office.

Disability National Parks Pass

  1. Applying for your National Parks Pass online. If you wish to apply online, you’ll need internet access and about a half-hour of your time. If you wish to apply in person, you have to visit one of these participating National Park Offices. Not all parks issue these passes, so make sure you check first. And, you should probably call first to make sure someone will be there.
  2. If you’re going in person: Due to the pandemic, many park offices were closed and not issuing passes. Many have not rebounded to their pre-pandemic hours of operation. Make sure you double-check their website before you visit a specific park office. Many have been hit with budget cuts, thus reducing staff and hours
  3. Disability Access Pass for National Parks: Read through the instructions first and gather your documentation. You will need to upload documentation, so prepare PDFs or pictures of your documents. 
  4. Free National Parks Pass for Volunteers– If you volunteer more than 250 hours per year, you also may qualify for a free national parks pass. 
  5. 4th Grade National Parks Pass 4th Graders are eligible for a free pass too! 
  6. Senior Citizens-National Parks Pass Senior Citizens get a discounted pass or a Golden Access Pass. 

National Parks Passports

My boys also have National Parks Passports. These are completely separate from the access pass, anyone can buy one and it has nothing to do with being disabled. You buy those, but then they can get them stamped at each National Park/Site/Monument that you visit.

Last month they got three stamps. It’s a great way to catalog family vacations, and the free pass makes it budget-friendly. We also collect the National Parks and State quarters–but we collect all of them in a folder, not just the ones we have visited.

We have visited many of the National Parks. We have been to Boston, Philadelphia, National Parks out west and Washington DC many times. So if you are looking for travel tips, chances are there’s a review on this blog.

Please see my Sensory Friendly Travel Section for all of our National Park and other travel reviews.