Passes
What is a National Park Pass? The America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States, including national parks. This pass covers entrance and day-use fees for the passholder and accompanying passengers in a private vehicle, allowing unlimited entry for one year. For more information, visit the National Parks website.
Where to Get a Pass? You can purchase a pass at any Dakota Prairie Grasslands office or order one online through the USGS Online Store (delivery may take up to three weeks). Digital versions are available on Recreation.gov (the federal government's centralized travel planning and reservation platform). These digital passes are linked to your account, providing immediate and eco-friendly access while reducing wait times at park entrances.
Pick a pass, then pick a place!
Available Passes
- Annual Pass ($80) - Ages 16+. U.S. citizens and residents qualify for this pass.
- Senior Annual Pass ($20) - Ages 62+. Please provide a photo ID for verification of eligibility.
- Senior Lifetime Pass ($80) - Ages 62+. Please provide a photo ID for verification of eligibility.
- Military Pass - Annual (Free) – Active military servicemembers & dependents (16+), U.S. Military
Cadets, U.S. Active Reservists. Please provide a valid picture ID, such as an unexpired Common
Access Card (CAC), DD Form 1173, or Next Generation Dependent ID. - Military Pass - Lifetime (Free) – Military veterans or Gold Star Families. Please provide a valid
picture ID with a DD214, or a Department of Defense Identification Card (CAC), a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), a Veteran ID Card, or a veteran/Gold Star designation on a state-issued driver's license/ID. - Access Pass (Free) - Available to U.S citizens or permanent residents of the United States who
have been medically determined to have a permanent disability. Please provide documentation
of permanent disability (such as a doctor's statement or social security/VA benefits
documentation), and proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (e.g., driver’s license,
passport, or green card). - 4th Grade - Every Kid Outdoors - 2025-26 School year (Free when earned) - Available to U.S. citizen/resident 4th-grade students who complete a short educational activity on the “Every Kid Outdoors” website: https://everykidoutdoors.gov/.
- Non-Resident Annual Pass ($250) - No specific residency, visa, or citizenship documentation is
required.
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Digitally Connect a Pass
Connecting your physical America the Beautiful pass to your Recreation.gov account lets you add a digital version to your phone. This way, if you lose your card, you still have a backup on the app.