FIND. SHOW. SAVE.
Grand Canyon. Zion. Arches. Bryce Canyon. Mesa Verde. Mountain parks, desert highways and some of America's greatest road trips.
This is one region where getting the right pass before you travel can save you again and again.
Get the pass first. Then check every stop before you pay.
Arizona, Utah and Colorado contain an extraordinary concentration of National Parks and other federal recreation lands.
If you qualify for a free Military Lifetime Pass, a Senior Pass or a free Access Pass, one pass can potentially cover entrance fees at multiple destinations on the same trip.
Don't pay separately at every park before checking whether you already qualify.
| Pass | Who May Qualify | Current Cost | Federal Park Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Military Lifetime | Veterans and Gold Star families | Free | Yes |
| Senior Lifetime | U.S. citizens or residents age 62+ | $80 | Yes |
| Senior Annual | U.S. citizens or residents age 62+ | $20 | Yes |
| Access Pass | U.S. citizens or residents with a permanent disability | Free | Yes |
Start with the Grand Canyon — then keep checking throughout the rest of your Arizona trip.
Grand Canyon National Park accepts America the Beautiful passes.
Current standard private-vehicle admission is $35 for seven days.
Veterans may qualify for the free Military Lifetime Pass.
Seniors age 62+ and visitors with qualifying permanent disabilities should check Senior and Access Pass eligibility.
Grand Canyon currently does not require a timed-entry reservation simply to enter the park.
The park can still become extremely busy, especially during peak travel periods.
Arriving early or later in the afternoon may help reduce entrance-line delays.
Arizona State Parks operate separately from the National Park Service.
Federal America the Beautiful passes should not be assumed to cover Arizona State Park entrance fees.
Some individual State Parks publish Senior or military admission rates.
Check the specific park before paying.
Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches and more — one qualifying federal pass can be especially valuable here.
Zion accepts America the Beautiful passes.
Current standard entrance fees range from approximately $20 to $35 depending on how you enter.
A qualifying Military, Senior or Access Pass can replace the standard park entrance pass.
Bryce Canyon also accepts America the Beautiful passes.
Current private-vehicle admission is $35.
Senior and Access Pass holders may also receive discounts on qualifying campground fees.
Arches accepts America the Beautiful passes.
Current standard private-vehicle admission is $30.
If your trip includes Arches, Canyonlands and other federal sites, check your federal pass before buying individual entrance passes.
Utah State Parks operate separately from the federal National Park system.
Seniors age 65+ can currently obtain the Utah Annual Day-Use Pass at a discounted rate.
Qualifying Utah resident Veterans with service-related disabilities may also be eligible for the Veterans With Disabilities Honor Pass.
Utah's Veteran Adventure Pass pilot program has also existed for qualifying resident Veterans, although the current pilot is full.
Check the current Utah State Parks rules before your trip because these programs can change.
Utah currently allows qualifying resident Veterans with a service-related disability to access State Parks under its Veterans With Disabilities Honor Pass program.
Eligibility generally requires Utah residency, honorable discharge and qualifying VA disability documentation.
Utah is updating the program in 2026, so verify current requirements before applying.
Federal passes work at qualifying National Park sites, while Colorado offers separate State Park benefits for residents.
Mesa Verde accepts America the Beautiful Military, Senior and Access passes.
The pass can cover qualifying park entrance, but guided tours and other special activities may carry separate charges.
Colorado resident Veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities and qualifying Purple Heart recipients may be eligible for the free Independence Parks Pass.
The pass provides qualifying access to Colorado State Parks.
Certain passholders age 64+ may also receive a small qualifying camping discount during specified days.
Colorado residents age 64 and older may qualify for the Aspen Leaf Annual Pass.
Current published price: $70.
The pass can provide qualifying State Park access and may include camping discounts under certain conditions.
Colorado also offers specialty State Park passes for qualifying residents with disabilities.
The Columbine Parks Pass is available to qualifying Colorado residents with total and permanent disabilities.
The current published cost is $14.
Disabled Veterans may qualify instead for the free Independence Parks Pass if they meet the Veteran-specific eligibility rules.
This is where one pass can become especially valuable.
A multi-state road trip could include:
If you qualify for a federal Military, Senior or Access Pass, check that first before paying individual entrance fees along the route.
National Parks and State Parks operate under different systems.
The America the Beautiful pass can be extremely valuable at participating federal recreation sites.
But Arizona, Utah and Colorado State Parks may charge separately or offer their own Veteran, Senior or disability programs.
Before paying, ask: "Is this a federal park or a State Park?"
Compare military, Veteran, Senior, membership and direct-booking rates.
Ask before paying at restaurants along your route.
Check attractions, retail, services and other businesses near each stop.
You can still use Senior Vet Discounts.
Search for businesses that support Veterans and Seniors and choose to support those businesses during your trip.
Support the businesses that support them.
Park entrance prices, State Park programs, Veteran benefits, Senior rates, campground discounts, reservation requirements and eligibility rules can change.
Federal and State Park systems are separate, and a pass accepted at one location may not apply at another.
Always verify current information directly with the park or agency before making reservations or purchasing admission.
Page reviewed: September 2026.