Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Back to Blog & Trip Reports

HELP! Which Yellowstone Park Pass Do I Need?

text

Which Yellowstone Park Pass Should I Purchase?

All visitors to Yellowstone National Park aged 16 and above are required to purchase an entrance pass before entering the park for the first time. These fees are collected by the National Park Service (Department of the Interior) and used primarily (80%)  for Yellowstone National Park operations (~20% is directed to the general fund for other National Park Service units).

text, table

 

🐾 Pro Tip from Yellowstone Wild

If you’re planning to explore a variety of America’s federal public lands—including local favorites like Grand Teton or Glacier National Parks or the national forests surrounding Yellowstone—we highly recommend an America the Beautiful Pass. (See below for the specific pass applicable to your situation.) It’s the best deal for accessing fee sites on federal public lands and a fantastic value for curious travelers. This pass can be used by visitors entering in their private vehicles and applied towards commercial entry fees for visitors joining a guided “commercial” tour.

🔍 Why You Still Need an Entrance Pass on your tour 
  • Even if your only visit to the park is on a guided tour, the National Park Service requires all guests age 16 and older to have a valid park pass before entering Yellowstone.
  • Yellowstone Wild (as well as all companies leading trips in the park) operates under a commercial use authorization issued by the National Park Service, which requires our guests to purchase an entrance fee equivalent to $20 per person (age 16 and above), rather than a standard per-vehicle fee. All park guests 15 and under enter for free.

If you already have a 7-day private vehicle pass, no problem! That $35.00 is applied toward your total commercial tour fee—you’ll just pay the difference (if any) at the gate.

Suppose an Interagency Pass annual or lifetime pass is not right for your group, and you are not planning on entering the park again. In that case, we recommend purchasing the $20 “Pedestrian/Bicyclist” Yellowstone Pass.

Park Pass Options for Yellowstone Wild Guests & Visitors 

1. $20 Commercial Tour Entrance Fee (Age 16+) – Can be purchased at the entrance gate upon entry if you are unable to buy in advance

Best for: Most Yellowstone Wild guests who do not have one of the passes below (or to supplement annual/lifetime passes if more than four total guests over 16+ are in your party)

2. America the Beautiful:  Annual Pass – BEST VALUE FOR ANYONE VISITING MORE THAN ONE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SITE!

Best for: Guests visiting more national parks within 12 months. Valid for all National Park Service units as well as federally managed public lands in every state (e.g., National Forest Land, BLM, etc.)

    • Cost: $80
    • Must be purchased with sufficient time to receive via mail in advance of departure or picked up at a designated site
    • Covers pass holder + 3 adults
    • Valid for 12 months at all national parks and federal lands.
    • Buy online: USGS Store – Annual Pass

3. America the Beautiful:  Senior Pass (U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents Only)

Best for: Adults age 62+

4.  America the Beautiful: Military Pass (U.S. Military & Veterans)

Best for: Active-duty military & veterans

5.  America the Beautiful: Access Pass (Visitors with Disabilities)

Best for: U.S. citizens/permanent residents with a permanent disability

6. 4th Grade Every Kid Outdoors Pass

Best for: Families with a 4th grader

7. 7-Day Yellowstone Vehicle Pass

Best for: Visitors driving into Yellowstone on their own in a private vehicle

    • Cost: $35 per vehicle
    • Can be credited toward the $20 individual fee (you’ll just pay any difference at the gate)
    • Buy online: Recreation.gov – Vehicle Pass
🐾Yellowstone Wild Tips & Answers to FAQ’s
  • Buying your pass ahead of time saves you time at the gate—and gets your adventure started faster! If you’re unsure which option to choose, the $20 “Pedestrian” pass is the easiest and most flexible choice. 
    • You will need to create a user account when accessing the Recreation.gov website for the first time
  • If you have pre-purchased passes, please have them accessible (along with a photo ID if required) when you meet your guide in the morning. You will be asked to present these to the gate attendant upon entering the park.
  • If you are having trouble purchasing your passes online, rest assured that you can buy them in person at the entrance gate when you enter the park for the first time. If you are accompanied by a guide, they can assist you in selecting the best pass for your group before you reach the entrance gate.
  • If you are purchasing your pass(es) on the morning of your tour, please ensure you have a form of payment ready by the time you reach the entrance gate.
  • Occasionally, the Recreation.gov site will display “no availability” for a specific date(s), and a “Pay Fee at Park” message will appear when attempting to select your date. THERE IS AVAILABILITY (Yellowstone does not restrict the number of daily visitors, so the park is never “full.”) If you see this, you will just need to pay at the gate when you arrive or purchase the correct “America the Beautiful” pass for your situation (see options above and note below).
  • All America the Beautiful passes must be either:
    • Mailed to the recipient’s primary mailing address
      • Please allow yourself enough time before you need your pass to receive it before leaving home.
    • Picked up at a designated pickup location before your tour. See a complete list of pickup options HERE. Passes can also be purchased at any park entrance station or visitor center.
    • The Gardiner Chamber of Commerce and Yellowstone Forever Bookstore sell “America the Beautiful” annual passes. Please open the links to view business hours.

📬 Still Have Questions?

Still not sure which pass you need? Please get in touch with the park directly at 307-344-2701 for assistance.

Next Post