There are also a handful of just plain weird exceptions to annual passes of all types.
For example, Mount Rushmore does not have any entry fee. However, they charge for parking! It seems the parking lot was built with private funds, so you have to pay $10, $5 for 62+, and active duty military are free.
And incidentally, disabled persons and active-duty military (NOT retired) personnel are also eligible for FREE passes. The disabled pass is lifetime, and the military pass is annual.
Sure. I mentioned Death Valley, but it's been a while since I've been there. They have no entrance stations. I suspect it's because putting someone out there in the middle of summer heat isn't a great idea. All indoor areas are air conditioned and have to be. The last time we were there we found machine that accepted the entrance fee with something like a parking pass (good for 7 days) to place on the dash. But I found it's now possible to prepay for the entrance fee from recreation.gov. They additionally have information on how to use the pass. I think the visitor centers can still issue a tag to stick on the window. The one I mentioned earlier was actually a printed piece paper with the expiration stamped and a piece of tape to stick on the window. It looked like something I could make at home.
PRIOR TO ARRIVAL, VISITORS PURCHASING DIGITAL ENTRANCE PASSES ARE REQUIRED TO PRINT A HARD COPY PASS.
Visitors should DISPLAY THE PRINTED PASS on their vehicle’s dashboard when traveling inside the park boundary.
Valid Interagency Annual and Lifetime Passes also satisfy Death Valley’s entrance fee.
Visitors with valid Interagency Annual and Lifetime passes should display them in a hangtag or place them on their vehicle's dashboard. Those traveling in open-topped vehicles or on motorcycles should be prepared to present a pass to NPS staff upon request.
Failure to properly display or present a valid park pass can lead to a citation.
The info for Mount Rushmore says that the parking is operated by Xanterra and the construction of parking was paid for privately.
I got a paper hang tag once (may have been given to me with the pass) but never really found any place I could use it. I'm trying to remember the times I've used a pass for the Forest Service. My pass was valid at the Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mt St Helens, which is Forest Service. Back then it was $8 adult admission for the museum and short film, but we got in free with our pass. However - that was presenting it to a person. The only other time I remember was maybe an entrance station at Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest on the way to Timpanogos Cave National Monument. I think it was $3 without a pass, but we show my mom's senior pass; it seems to be free if just going to the NPS area. My mom and I went on the cave tour and she got a 50% discount with her pass.
The Monument is surrounded entirely by the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, and visitors must stop at a US Forest Service information station on the way to Timpanogos Cave. Visitors going just to Timpanogos Cave National Monument, including the Canyon Nature Trail and Swinging Bridge Picnic Area, are not required to pay the US Forest Service American Fork Canyon fee. Visitors planning to go beyond the Monument and use US Forest Service recreation sites are subject to the following fees:
- $6.00 - 3 day pass
- $12.00 - 7 day pass
- $45.00 - Annual pass
The US Forest Service honors The America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, Golden Age or Senior Pass, Golden Access or Access Pass, and Military Pass.