This NEW America the Beautiful Pass Change For 2024 is Important for National Park Visitors
If you’re a national park visitor, you need to know that there will be a change to the America the Beautiful Pass coming up in 2024.
This annual $80 pass grants you access to all US national parks and federal recreation areas, of which there are over 2,000.
Beginning at the start of 2024, all newly purchased America the Beautiful passes will only have one signature line, rather than the previous two that the passes used to have.
This means that only one person can sign the pass, and that person (known as the pass holder) must be present in the vehicle when entering the park.
In the past, national park visitors have abused the system and have allowed their friends who have not purchased a card to use theirs to enter the park. This is what has prompted the National Park Service to change the rules.
The entrance fees for the parks are very important because they help with the upkeep of national parks and recreation areas. So when the park loses out on that money, they aren’t able to keep it as well maintained.
But don’t worry, this isn’t going to affect you (yet) if you have a current pass that doesn’t expire until later in 2024, because this rule only goes into effect for new passes purchased in 2024.
All current passes with two lines will be honored until the expiration date. Once your current pass expires, this rule will also apply to you.
Although these passes will now only have one line to sign, the pass will still cover the pass holder and an entire personal vehicle at parks that charge per vehicle, or the pass holder and three adults at parks that charge per person.
Key Things to Know About the America the Beautiful Pass Change
- Starting in 2024, newly purchased passes will only have one signature line per card
- The pass holder (person who signs the card) will need to be in the vehicle at the time of entrance to the park and show their ID to the park ranger
- The America the Beautiful pass will still cover the following entrance fees:
- Pass holder + 3 additional adults at parks that charge per person
- Pass holder + passengers in a personal vehicle at parks that charge per vehicle
- Any day use fees that are charged within the park
- All current passes with two signature lines will still be honored until the expiration date
- The America the Beautiful pass will still grant entrance to 2,000+ national parks and federal recreation areas for one year from the month purchased, and will cost $80
FAQs
Can 2 People Use the America the Beautiful Pass?
Starting in 2024, only one person will be able to be the pass holder for an America the Beautiful Pass. This person must be present at the time of entrance to the park.
Do All National Parks Accept the America the Beautiful Pass?
Yes, all US national parks accept the America the Beautiful pass for entrance to the park.
Wrap-Up
Starting in 2024, your America the Beautiful passes will only have one signature line for a pass holder, so be sure to have your own if you haven’t signed a pass. That is, if you’ll be traveling without the person who has signed it.
The pass will still cover the signer’s carload or 3 adults, but they must be present to get in to the park! Be sure that you’re ready for this change!
