How to Get an Access Pass for National Parks

What an Access Pass is and who can get one

An Access Pass is a lifetime pass issued by the National Park Service that gives you and up to three companions free entry to any U.S. national park, plus discounts on camping and some services. You do not pay an entrance fee when you show it at the gate. The pass itself is free.

You can get an Access Pass if you have a permanent disability — one that is expected to last your lifetime or for an indefinite period. The National Park Service does not maintain a list of may have access to conditions. Instead, a park ranger or official will review documentation you bring showing your disability, and they will decide whether it meets the definition of permanent.

The pass is issued to you as an individual. When you use it, you can bring up to three other people with you into the park for free, but only if you are physically present. The companions do not get their own passes.

Key Takeaways

• An Access Pass is free and gives you and up to three companions free entry to any national park for life.
• You need documentation of a permanent disability — a doctor's letter, disability award letter, or medical records showing your condition is lifelong or indefinite.
• You apply in person at any national park entrance station; there is no online application or mail-in process.
• The pass is issued on the spot once a ranger reviews your documentation and confirms your disability is permanent.
• You can also get an Access Pass at some federal recreation sites outside the national park system, like national forests and Bureau of Land Management areas.

What documentation you need to bring

The National Park Service accepts several forms of proof. You do not need all of them — one is enough. Bring one of the following: a letter from a doctor or medical provider stating your disability is permanent; a disability award letter from Social Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Railroad Retirement Board; or medical records from a hospital or clinic that document your permanent disability.

The document does not have to be recent, but it should clearly state that your condition is permanent, lifelong, or expected to last indefinitely. If your document uses language like "temporary" or "for six months," a ranger may ask for additional proof. If you have a state disability placard or license plate for your vehicle, bring that too — it can help support your application, though it is not required on its own.

If you do not have written documentation, some parks will accept a verbal statement from you about your disability, but this is uncommon and varies by location. It is much faster and more reliable to bring something in writing.

Where and how to apply in person

You must apply at a national park entrance station. There is no online application, no mail-in form, and no phone line where you can request a pass. You go to the gate, show your documentation to a ranger, and if they confirm your disability is permanent, they issue the pass on the spot.

Any national park will issue an Access Pass, so you do not have to go to a specific one. If you live near a national park, that is the easiest choice. If you do not, you can apply at any park you visit. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes once you reach the entrance station.

Bring your documentation, your photo ID, and the person with the disability (if someone else is applying on your behalf, bring them with you). The ranger will review your documents, ask you a few questions about your disability, and then issue the pass. The pass is a plastic card that looks similar to a credit card and has your photo on it.

What the pass covers and what it does not

The Access Pass covers entrance fees to any national park. It does not cover fees for camping, parking, or special activities like cave tours or boat rentals. However, the pass does give you a 50 percent discount on those services at most parks — you still pay, but at half price.

The pass is valid for your lifetime and does not expire. You can use it at any of the 63 national parks in the United States, plus hundreds of other federal recreation sites including national forests, national wildlife refuges, and Bureau of Land Management areas. When you show your pass at the entrance, you can bring up to three other people with you for free — they do not need their own passes and do not need to have disabilities.

The pass does not cover entrance fees for companions at sites outside the national park system. At some national forests or other federal lands, the rules differ slightly, so ask at the entrance station if you are unsure.

If you lose your pass or need a replacement

If your Access Pass is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement at any national park entrance station. Bring your photo ID and the same documentation you used to get the original pass. There is no fee for a replacement. The process is the same as getting a new pass — a ranger will review your documents and issue a new card on the spot.

If you move or your photo becomes outdated, you do not need to replace the pass. The card is valid as long as you have it, even if the photo no longer looks like you or your address has changed. You only need a replacement if the card itself is damaged or missing.

Access Passes for other federal recreation sites

The Access Pass works at more than just national parks. You can use it at national forests, national wildlife refuges, Bureau of Land Management areas, and some Corps of Engineers recreation sites. The entrance fee discount is the same — free for you and up to three companions, plus 50 percent off camping and services.

Some smaller federal sites do not charge entrance fees at all, so the pass has no effect there. Others charge fees but may have different rules about how many companions can enter for free. When you arrive at a site, show your pass at the entrance and ask if there are any site-specific rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else apply for an Access Pass on my behalf?

No. You must be present in person at the national park entrance station to apply. A family member or caregiver can accompany you, but you need to be there to show your documentation and answer the ranger's questions about your disability.

What if I do not have a photo ID?

Bring whatever ID you have — a state ID, passport, tribal ID, or other government-issued photo identification. If you do not have any photo ID, ask the ranger what alternatives they accept. Some parks may allow other forms of identification, though this varies.

Do my companions need to be family members?

No. The three people who enter with you can be anyone — friends, family, caregivers, or anyone else. They do not need to have disabilities, and they do not need to be related to you. Only you need to show the pass at the entrance.

Can I use my Access Pass if I am visiting a national park with a tour group?

Yes, but the rules depend on how the tour is organized. If you are driving yourself and entering through the main gate, show your pass. If you are on a commercial tour bus that pays a group entrance fee, ask the tour operator whether your pass will reduce the group fee or whether you should pay separately at the gate.

How long does it take to get an Access Pass if I apply by mail?

There is no mail-in process. You must apply in person at a national park entrance station. This is the only way to get an Access Pass.