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National Park Trip Cost Calculator
Entrance fees and campground rates vary by park, so enter your own numbers below to budget a realistic trip total — and see whether the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass would pay for itself.
Example: 3 visits at a $30 entrance fee, 4 nights of camping at $35/night, plus $100 in other costs comes to $330.00 for the year — and the $80 annual pass is already saving money on entrance fees alone.
What can change the math
- Many national parks charge no entrance fee at all — check your specific park at nps.gov/planyourvisit/fees.htm before budgeting.
- The $80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers vehicle entrance at all federal fee-charging sites (not just NPS) for a full year, not just one park.
- Camping and lodging costs vary enormously — a backcountry permit costs far less than an in-park lodge; use your specific park's published rates for accuracy.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the annual pass cover camping fees?
No — the $80 pass covers entrance and day-use fees only. Camping, tours, and other add-on fees are charged separately.
Are any national parks free to enter?
Yes — over half of NPS sites charge no entrance fee at all, and NPS also offers several free-entrance days throughout the year.
Who's covered under one annual pass?
The pass covers the pass holder plus up to 3 accompanying adults in a single vehicle, or the pass holder plus 3 adults at per-person fee sites.