The Free Park Pass for People With Disabilities
If you have a permanent disability, you can get a pass that gets you into national parks and more than 2,000 other federal recreation areas for free. For the rest of your life. Here is everything you need to know, in plain words.
- Free
- Good for life
- Any age
- 2,000+ places
What is it?
Its official name is the America the Beautiful Access Pass. Most people just call it the Access Pass or the disability park pass.
It is a plastic card that covers the entrance fee at national parks and wildlife refuges, and the day-use fees at national forests and other federal lands. You pay nothing for it if you pick it up in person, and it never expires.
Who can get one?
You can get one if both of these are true:
- You are a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident (green card holder).
- You have a disability that is permanent and makes it hard to do one or more everyday things, like walking, seeing, hearing, working, or taking care of yourself.
Your disability does not have to be 100%. There is no percentage rating. Kids with a permanent disability can get one too.
What to bring
You need two things: something that shows who you are, and something that proves your disability is permanent.
- 1. A photo IDYour driver's license, state ID card, passport, or green card.
PLUS ONE OF THESE
- 2. A letter from your doctorIt must say your disability is permanent, that it limits your daily life, and how it limits you. (There is sample wording below you can hand your doctor.)
- Or your Social Security letterA letter showing you get SSDI or SSI because of a disability.
- Or a VA letterA document from the Veterans Administration showing a permanent disability.
- Or a state agency letterFor example, a letter from your state's vocational rehabilitation office.
What your doctor's letter should say
Doctors do not always know what the park needs. Copy this, take it to your doctor, and ask them to put it on their letterhead and sign it.
To Whom It May Concern: [Patient's full name], date of birth [date], is under my care. [He/She/They] has a PERMANENT disability that severely limits one or more major life activities. Nature of the limitations: [for example: unable to walk long distances or stand for long periods; requires a cane and mobility scooter]. This disability is permanent and is not expected to improve. Sincerely, [Doctor's name, credentials] [Practice name, address, phone] [Signature and date]
The word "permanent" is the most important part. A letter that only says you are disabled, without saying it is permanent, can get turned down.
How to get your pass
In person (free)
- Under By State, pick your state.
- Under By Pass Type, pick Access Pass.
- Tap Search to see the list.
- Call the place before you drive there to make sure they are open and have passes in stock.
- Bring your ID and your letter. They make the pass on the spot.
That list only shows places that hand out passes. Lots more places accept the pass.
Online or by mail (small fee)
If there is no place near you, you can order it online from the USGS store. You upload a picture of your ID and your letter, and they mail you the card. The pass itself is still free, but there is a small processing fee for doing it this way. Give it a few weeks to arrive before a trip.
What it covers
Covered
- Entrance fees at national parks and wildlife refuges
- Day-use fees at national forests and other federal lands
- Everyone in your car (if the place charges per car)
- You plus 3 adults (if the place charges per person). Kids under 16 are usually free anyway.
- Often half off things like camping, swimming, and boat launches
Usually not covered
- Hotels, lodges, and restaurants inside parks
- Tours and rides run by private companies
- Special permits (like some backcountry or river permits)
- State parks (those are run by your state, not the federal government)
Places run by these agencies take the pass: National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Good to know
Always carry your photo ID with the pass
They can ask for it every time you use the pass. The pass only works for you, so you cannot lend it to someone else.
Call before you go
Every place handles the pass a little differently. For example, in Arizona's Kaibab National Forest, the pass only works for camping, not for day-use areas. A quick phone call saves a wasted trip.
Bring the card, not a receipt
An order confirmation or receipt will not get you in. You need the actual pass.
Lost your pass?
Contact the USGS store or a park office about getting a replacement.
Rules can change, so check the official National Park Service Access Pass page for the latest. Last checked October 2026. Dependent, Not Addicted is not part of the government and does not issue passes. This page is general information, not legal advice.