America the Beautiful pass offers easy park access

Published on January 01, 2012 08:00 AM in Safe Driving

You could, if you spent just a few hours at each site, visit every destination in America’s vast network of national parks and monuments within a year for the cost of two tickets to a major league baseball game.

All it takes is some determination and an America the Beautiful Pass. The $80 pass grants free entrance to some 400 federal properties including the park system’s crown jewels such as Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

“The pass is a terrific bargain,” said Jennifer Mummart at the Office of Communications for the National Park Service. “It encourages people to explore our country’s natural and histroric treasures, and sales of the pass go directly to support National Park Service programs.”

The program grew out of the Federal Lands Recreation Act, signed into law Dec. 8, 2004, by President George Bush.

The act consolidated programs offered by different federal agencies including the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

“With so many options you can find a local site almost anywhere you live in the United States,” Mummart said. “Families can find a place to make lasting memories and not spend a lot of money doing it.”

Popular destinations such as national parks attract millions of visitors annually. Yet, hundreds of lesser known sites provide rich cultural experiences without the crowds.

For instance, holders of the America the Beautiful Pass gain free access to archaeological sites such as the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. Or they can go to Historic Jamestown, the birthplace of America and related legends of Pocahontas.

“National Parks provide an affordable get-away for families especially during difficult economic periods,” Mummart said. “There’s something of interest for everyone, always.”

Different passes are available for visitors including:

America the Beautiful Pass, which provides free entrance to nearly 400 federal lands. Cost: $80.
America the Beautiful “Senior Pass,” free lifetime access to American citizens and permanent residents at least 62-years old. Cost: $10.
America the Beautiful “Access Pass,” for American citizens and permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Cost: Free.
America the Beautiful “Volunteer Pass,” for people who log at least 500 hours of volunteer service.

For more details on the America the Beautiful Pass go to: http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm.

Article by Jay Alling, editor of Sensible Driver. Write to jay@sensibledriver.com.