Recreation passes

16 U.S.C. § 6804

• Title: 16 — Conservation
• Chapter: 87 — FEDERAL LANDS RECREATION ENHANCEMENT

Text

(a) America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
The Secretaries shall establish, and may charge a fee for, an interagency national pass to be known as the "America the Beautiful—the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass", which shall cover the entrance fee and standard amenity recreation fee for all Federal recreational lands and waters for which an entrance fee or a standard amenity recreation fee is charged.
The Secretaries shall hold an annual competition to select the image to be used on the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass for a year. The competition shall be open to the public and used as a means to educate the American people about Federal recreational lands and waters.
The Secretaries shall publish a notice in the Federal Register when the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is first established and available for purchase.
The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass shall be valid for a period of 12 months from the date of the issuance of the recreation pass to a passholder, except in the case of the age discount and lifetime passes issued under subsection (b).
The Secretaries shall establish the price at which the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass will be sold to the public.
The Secretaries shall sell or otherwise make available the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass—
(i) at all Federal recreational lands and waters at which—
(I) an entrance fee or a standard amenity recreation fee is charged; and
(II) such sales or distribution of the Pass is feasible;
(ii) at such other locations as the Secretaries consider appropriate and feasible; and
(iii) through a prominent link to a centralized pass sale system on the website of each of the Federal land management agencies and the websites of the relevant units and subunits of those agencies, which shall include information about where and when a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass may be used.
The Secretary may enter into fee management agreements as provided in section 6805 of this title.
The Secretaries shall take such actions as are appropriate to provide for the active marketing of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
The Secretaries shall issue guidelines on administration of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, which shall include agreement on price, the distribution of revenues between the Federal land management agencies, the sharing of costs, benefits provided, marketing and design, adequate documentation for discounts under subsection (b), and the issuance of that recreation pass to volunteers. The Secretaries shall take into consideration all relevant visitor and sales data available in establishing the guidelines.
The Secretaries may enter into cooperative agreements with governmental and nongovernmental entities for the development and implementation of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program.
The Secretary may not establish any national recreation pass, except as provided in this section.
Not later than January 1, 2026, the Secretaries shall—
(A) establish a digital version of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass that is able to be stored on a mobile device, including with respect to free and discounted passes; and
(B) upon completion of a transaction for a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass, make immediately available to the passholder a digital version of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass established under subparagraph (A).
(b) Free and discounted passes
(A) The Secretary shall make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available to any United States citizen or person domiciled in the United States who is 62 years of age or older, if the citizen or person provides adequate proof of such age and such citizenship or residency. The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass made available under this paragraph shall be available—
(i) for a period of 12 months from the date of the issuance, at a cost of $20; and
(ii) for the lifetime of the passholder, at a cost equal to the cost of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass purchased under subsection (a).
(B) The Secretary shall issue a pass under subparagraph (A)(ii), for no additional cost, to any individual who provides evidence, under policies and guidelines determined by the Secretary, that the individual has purchased a pass under subparagraph (A)(i) for each of the 4 years prior to being issued a pass under this subparagraph.
The Secretary shall make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available, without charge and for the lifetime of the passholder, to the following:
(A) Any United States citizen or person domiciled in the United States who has been medically determined to be permanently disabled, within the meaning of the term "disability" under section 12102 of title 42, if the citizen or person provides adequate proof of the disability and such citizenship or residency.
(B) Any veteran who provides adequate proof of military service as determined by the Secretary.
(C) Any member of a Gold Star Family who meets the eligibility requirements of section 3.2 of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36 (or a successor instruction).
The Secretary shall make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available, at no cost, to members of the Armed Forces and their dependents who provide adequate proof of eligibility for such pass as determined by the Secretary.
(c) Site-specific agency passes
The Secretary may establish and charge a fee for a site-specific pass that will cover the entrance fee or standard amenity recreation fee for particular Federal recreational lands and waters for a specified period not to exceed 12 months.
(d) Regional multientity passes
The Secretary may establish and charge a fee for a regional multientity pass that will be accepted by one or more Federal land management agencies or by one or more governmental or nongovernmental entities for a specified period not to exceed 12 months. To include a Federal land management agency or governmental or nongovernmental entity over which the Secretary does not have jurisdiction, the Secretary shall obtain the consent of the head of such agency or entity.
In order to establish a regional multientity pass under this subsection, the Secretary shall enter into a regional multientity pass agreement with all the participating agencies or entities on price, the distribution of revenues between participating agencies or entities, the sharing of costs, benefits provided, marketing and design, and the issuance of the pass to volunteers. The Secretary shall take into consideration all relevant visitor and sales data available when entering into this agreement.
(e) Discounted or free admission days or use
The Secretary may provide for a discounted or free admission day or use of Federal recreational lands and waters.
(f) Effect on existing passports and permits
A passport issued under section 100904 of title 54 or title VI of the National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998 (Public Law 105–391), such as the Golden Eagle Passport, the Golden Age Passport, the Golden Access Passport, and the National Parks Passport, that was valid on the day before the publication of the Federal Register notice required under subsection (a)(3) shall be valid in accordance with the terms agreed to at the time of issuance of the passport, to the extent practicable, and remain in effect until expired, lost, or stolen.
A permit issued under section 100904 of title 54 that was valid on the day before December 8, 2004, shall be valid and remain in effect until expired, revoked, or suspended.

History

(Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, §805, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3385; Pub. L. 113–287, §5(d)(36), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3267; Pub. L. 114–289, title I, §102, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1484; Pub. L. 116–205, §2, Dec. 3, 2020, 134 Stat. 996; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title VI, §625, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3677; Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title VI, §641, Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1776; Pub. L. 118–234, title III, §322(a), (b), Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2910.)

Editorial Notes

Editorial Notes

References in Text
Section 6805 of this title, referred to in subsec. (a)(6)(B), was in the original a reference to section 6, and was translated as meaning section 806 of title VIII of div. J of Pub. L. 108–447, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
The National Parks Omnibus Management Act of 1998, referred to in subsec. (f)(1), is Pub. L. 105–391, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3497. Title VI of the Act was classified generally to subchapter V (§5991 et seq.) of chapter 79 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 108–447, div. J, title VIII, §813(d)(2), Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3391. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Codification
In subsec. (f), "section 100904 of title 54" substituted for "section 4 of the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965" in two places on authority of Pub. L. 113–287, §6(e), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3272, which Act enacted Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs.

Amendments
2025—Subsec. (a)(6)(A). Pub. L. 118–234, §322(a), added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary shall sell the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass at all Federal recreational lands and waters at which an entrance fee or a standard amenity recreation fee is charged and at such other locations as the Secretaries consider appropriate and feasible."
Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 118–234, §322(b), added par. (10).
2021—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 117–81, §641(1), substituted "age discount and lifetime" for "age and disability discounted".
Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 116–283, §625(b)(1), struck out "age and disability" before "discounts".
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–81, §641(2)(A), substituted "Free and discounted" for "Discounted" in heading.
Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 116–283, §625(b)(2)(A), substituted "this paragraph" for "this subsection" in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 117–81, §641(2)(B)(i), substituted "Lifetime passes" for "Disability discount" in heading.
Pub. L. 116–283, §625(b)(2)(B), which directed the substitution of "this paragraph" for "this subsection", could not be executed due to intervening amendment by Pub. L. 116–205. See 2020 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (b)(2)(B), (C). Pub. L. 117–81, §641(2)(B)(ii), added subpars. (B) and (C) and struck out former subpar. (B) which read as follows: "Any veteran who has been found to have a service-connected disability under title 38."
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 117–81, §641(2)(C), substituted "Annual passes" for "Gold Star Families parks pass" in heading and "members of the Armed Forces and their dependents who provide adequate proof of eligibility for such pass as determined by the Secretary." for "members of Gold Star Families who meet the eligibility requirements of section 3.2 of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36 (or a successor instruction)." in text.
Pub. L. 116–283, §625(a), added par. (3).
2020—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 116–205 added par. (2) and struck out former par. (2). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Secretary shall make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available, without charge, to any United States citizen or person domiciled in the United States who has been medically determined to be permanently disabled for purposes of section 705(20)(B)(i) of title 29, if the citizen or person provides adequate proof of the disability and such citizenship or residency. The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass made available under this subsection shall be valid for the lifetime of the passholder."
2016—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 114–289 designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), struck out ", at a cost of $10.00," before "to any United States citizen", substituted "shall be available—" and cls. (i) and (ii) for "shall be valid for the lifetime of the pass holder.", and added subpar. (B).
2014—Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 113–287, §5(d)(36)(B), struck out "; 16 U.S.C. 5991–5995" after "(Public Law 105–391".
Pub. L. 113–287, §5(d)(36)(A), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appeared in text as reference to "section 460l–6a of this title" prior to substitution of "section 100904 of title 54". See Codification note above.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Every Kid Outdoors Act
Pub. L. 116–9, title IX, §9001, Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 829, as amended by Pub. L. 118–234, title II, §232, Jan. 4, 2025, 138 Stat. 2890, provided that:
"(a) Definitions.—In this section:
"(1) Federal land and waters.—The term 'Federal land and waters' means any Federal land or body of water under the jurisdiction of any of the Secretaries to which the public has access.
"(2) Program.—The term 'program' means the Every Kid Outdoors program established under subsection (b)(1).
"(3) Secretaries.—The term 'Secretaries' means—
"(A) the Secretary [of the Interior], acting through—
"(i) the Director of the National Park Service;
"(ii) the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
"(iii) the Director of the Bureau of Land Management; and
"(iv) the Commissioner of Reclamation;
"(B) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service;
"(C) the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and
"(D) the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
"(4) State.—The term 'State' means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and any other territory or possession of the United States.
"(5) Student or students.—The term 'student' or 'students' means any fourth grader or home-schooled learner 10 years of age residing in the United States, including any territory or possession of the United States.
"(b) Every Kid Outdoors Program.—
"(1) Establishment.—The Secretaries shall jointly establish a program, to be known as the 'Every Kid Outdoors program', to provide free access to Federal land and waters for students and accompanying individuals in accordance with this subsection.
"(2) Annual passes.—
"(A) In general.—At the request of a student, the Secretaries shall issue a pass to the student, which allows access to Federal lands and waters for which access is subject to an entrance, standard amenity, or day use fee, free of charge for the student and—
"(i) in the case of a per-vehicle fee area—
"(I) any passengers accompanying the student in a private, noncommercial vehicle; or
"(II) not more than three adults accompanying the student on bicycles; or
"(ii) in the case of a per-person fee area, not more than three adults accompanying the student.
"(B) Term.—A pass described in subparagraph (A) shall be effective for a 12-month period that begins on a date determined by the Secretaries.
"(C) Presence of a student in grade four required.—A pass described in subparagraph (A) shall be effective only if the student to which the pass was issued is present at the point of entry to the applicable Federal land or water.
"(3) Other activities.—In carrying out the program, the Secretaries—
"(A) may collaborate with State Park systems that opt to implement a complementary Every Kid Outdoors State park pass;
"(B) may coordinate with the Secretary of Education to implement the program;
"(C) shall maintain a publicly available website with information about the program;
"(D) may provide visitor services for the program; and
"(E) may support approved partners of the Federal land and waters by providing the partners with opportunities to participate in the program.
"(4) Reports.—The Secretary, in coordination with each Secretary described in subparagraphs (B) through (D) of subsection (a)(3), shall prepare a comprehensive report to Congress each year describing—
"(A) the implementation of the program;
"(B) the number and geographical distribution of students who participated in the program; and
"(C) the number of passes described in paragraph (2)(A) that were distributed.
"(5) Sunset.—The authorities provided in this section, including the reporting requirement, shall expire on September 30, 2031."

America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program
Pub. L. 113–121, title I, §1048, June 10, 2014, 128 Stat. 1257, provided that: "The Secretary [of the Army] may participate in the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass program in the same manner as the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Forest Service, and the Bureau of Reclamation, including the provision of free annual passes to active duty military personnel and dependents."