If you would have asked me one year ago about anything outdoors related, I probably would have laughed and told you to go away.
These days, I talk about the outdoors and my love for it so much on my blog that I’m probably annoying everyone.
I love the outdoors now. I love hiking, rock climbing, mountains, camping and more. The outdoors are beautiful, and the United States offers so much, especially when it comes to national parks and recreation areas.
So, when I found out that we could get an annual parks pass for just $80 a year (for the both of us), I knew we had to get it. No, it’s not the cheapest thing on earth, but if you plan on hitting up many national parks in one year, the price can be well worth it.
How the annual park pass saves us money.
In 2014, we went to several national parks. We went to Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado National Monument, Joshua Tree National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and a few others.
Paying the entrance fee separately each time would have equaled over $100, but last year we decided to buy an annual park pass.
The fact that we can go on many vacations for a full year and not have to pay the entrance fee because of this pass is a huge plus. We can go on unlimited wonderful hikes, see beautiful scenery, summit mountains, and more and it’s all included in this one pass. Also, since we take part in credit card rewards, our vacations are nearly free and absolutely amazing now.
The annual parks pass (America the Beautiful is what the pass is called) is $80 and is a GREAT value, especially if you live near national parks and/or want to visit them often. We still have over half a year on our annual parks pass left, and we plan on using it several more times.
I highly recommend this pass to anyone who loves the outdoors. The United States is absolutely beautiful, and there are so many amazing places to visit right around where you live most likely!
Some information on the America the Beautiful annual park pass in case you are wanting one as well.
The America the Beautiful annual parks pass allows you to enter more than 2,000 federal recreation areas. It covers you and anyone else in your car. Also, if you are a senior, you can actually get a lifetime pass for just $10! Awesome, right?
You can buy your annual park pass by driving up to an entrance and simply paying for one. It takes just a few minutes and you don’t have to give them any information so it is really quick!
What’s the best thing you’ve bought recently? Has it saved you money?
Do you have an America the Beautiful annual park pass?
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I actually think that’s a really good deal! I love going to Rocky Mountain National Park, have been to Canyonlands, and hope to got to White Sands in New Mexico. I really need to look into this.
Yes, you definitely should!
Good deal!!! parks is been a very good choiche!!!
I agree 🙂
I’m in the process of setting up a Wordpress blog about our RV travels all over the country over the last six years, and couldn’t resist endorsing your post about the annual parks pass! The National Parks are right at the top of our list of phenomenal places to visit… we’ve been to over 50, and we’re nowhere near finished. The annual pass is an incredible value, and as soon as we each reached 62, we bought lifetime Senior passes. Of course, one pass covered both of us (AND a couple of friends who joined us at Arches and Canyonlands), but my wife wanted her own pass because of the additional discounts available only to the cardholder – 50% off tour tickets at Mammoth Cave, and other fee based tours at several parks, for example!
You are absolutely right – I never thought of myself as a lover of the outdoors either, until I discovered how great the “Great Outdoors” really Is… and there are no greater places than our own National Parks, Monuments, and historic treasures, no two of which are the same. We plan to begin sharing our photos and adventures online in the very near future, and hope it will inspire others to visit the spectacular places we’re seeing.
Thank you Andy 🙂 Sounds like you had an amazing past 6 years.
I am totally jealous. If I lived in the US I would be buying that every year – as it is, it would cost me a fortune in airfares!
Joshua Tree is one of my favourite places on earth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjZ1AQf6T-k). Have you been to Zion?
Yes, I love Joshua Tree. I haven’t been to Zion but I REALLY would like to soon.
Oh, I wish we had this here. We visited US few years ago and I loved the idea of getting a pass to pay for multiple visits. Sure, if you’re going once or twice you’re losing money, but more trips do make sense to be paid for with such a pass.
Yes, just once or twice wouldn’t make the pass worth it. However, it would be hard to just stop at one or two if you lived in the US.
That’s a fantastic deal! Our state (NY) offers something similar for state parks, as well. I’m seriously considering investing in one next summer. It’s an up-front costs, but pays for itself pretty easily.
I agree 🙂
I don’t really live near any national parks so it doesn’t help me much. My father in law has the $10 lifetime pass which they use all the time.
We just get an annual state parks pass here and it is awesome!
The $10 lifetime pass is such a great deal!
I usually just get to “the park” entrance before they man the booths. A little known secret, even those working RMNP keep close to their chest. But, I do have a state’s park pass! The only way I’ve ever found to save a few bucks is to buy a discounted REI gift card, saves a few bucks, but it works.
I live about 15-20 mins from Eldorado Canyon, if you want to climb next summer, let me know. My climbing stretch goal for next summer is the “Casual Route” on the diamond….
Sounds like we may have to have a blogger climbing meet up 🙂
I love National Parks. We’ve got Mahoney National Park just outside of Omaha, and it’s been my favorite ever since I went to Day Camp there when I was 10. It’s got a wicked water park, and amazing camp sites and cabins. We actually spent my grandparents’ 50th anniversary week at this park, and it was amazing. Buying passes, if you intend to go, is always a great way to save money. I’d like to get a Zoo pass at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo this year. I think it’s about $80, but it gets you in, gets you into the IMAX for free, and I believe also gives you discounts on merchandise around the park. My parents got one last year, and used it enough times in a month that it was worth it.
Sounds like a great deal!
Sounds like you made good use out of your $80 pass so far. Great that it’s still good for another 6 months. 🙂
Thanks Kayla!
Hi Michelle,
I’m very excited at the prospect of getting our own National Parks pass when we are ready to start traveling more. For now we have an annual pass to the California State Beaches. We love to walk on the beaches and most of them require an entrance fee unless you park outside the park and walk in (a good idea if you’re trying to pay off debt!).
To answer your question about the best thing I bought recently that has saved me money, I have to say without a doubt it is my box sizer. Yep, a box sizer!
You see, I’ve been selling on Amazon using their Fulfill by Amazon (FBA) service. I have to ship my product in to Amazon’s warehouses. The box cutter cost me around $16 and it saved me at least that much on the FIRST SHIPMENT alone! The savings come because the box is smaller and lighter. Besides you need less packing material to fill up the void.
I’m a big believer in spending a dollar if it will either, make you money, save money or bring a lot of joy in your life.
Be happy, healthy and wealthy~
Ree
Sounds like a great product 🙂
My parents got the $10 lifetime pass and have probably saved thousands of dollars! In addition, whenever they are traveling with us, we ask them to bring it and then we benefit too. One of the best government deals I’ve run into yet!
Yes, it’s especially great if you know someone who has one!
Thanks Thomas! 🙂
Yes, one America the Beautiful pass is good at all national parks in the U.S. You can read more about it here- http://www.nps.gov/findapark/passes.htm
That’s awesome! We absolutely love hiking too and I wish we had more National Parks in our region. I’d like to do more hiking in Colorado someday, but for now, I’m content with my New England mountains. When we lived in DC, the Shenandoah National Park was relatively close to us and became a fast favorite. Here’s to many more hikes in 2015!
Yes, here’s to many more hikes in 2015!