Should You Buy a National Parks Pass in 2024?

If you're someone who loves to travel, one thing you should know is that you don't need to go overseas to enjoy breathtaking views and scenery. The country's national parks system features hundreds of parks with amazing views and colors (depending on the time of year) that could really take your breath away.

The best part? Visiting a national park has the potential to be a low-cost endeavor -- if you plan ahead. One thing you may want to do is purchase an annual national parks pass. For $80, you'll gain access to any national park or recreation area that normally charges a fee.

But is that $80 worth it? Well, it depends.

A great value for those looking to visit multiple parks

There are 109 national parks that charge an entrance fee. In most cases, you'll pay that fee on a per-vehicle basis. The cost generally ranges from $20 to $35. What this means is that if you're looking to visit multiple national parks in the same year, an annual pass might pay for itself in just three visits, depending on your specific destinations.

And remember, you only need one annual pass per household if you'll be traveling together in the same car. So all told, you're not looking at a particularly large credit card tab.

Make sure you can put your pass to good use

Any time you buy something you don't use, you're throwing your money away. The same holds true if you spend $80 on a national parks pass but only use it once, or don't use it at all.

Now, you might think you'll get great use out of your pass. But one thing you should know is that visiting some of the more popular national parks can be challenging. Certain parks, due to their popularity, require you to reserve a timed entry.

Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park is one of them. So if you're hoping to visit in 2024, you'll need to plan your trip ahead of time or otherwise risk not being able to visit the park when you want to. If you're someone who prefers to hop in the car at the last minute on a road trip, you might hit a snag with parks that require advanced reservations.

Also, you may find it challenging to visit certain national parks at a time when the weather is optimal. That's because the crowds can be a huge turn-off. And even if you're not required to make a reservation ahead of time, you may arrive at certain parks during the peak season only to find that there's no parking available.

A number of national parks are located in remote parts of the country where lodging is either expensive, limited, or both. So once again, you may be in a position where you need to either commit to a trip far in advance or risk not being able to visit your parks of choice due to a lack of accommodations.

Also, while an annual national parks pass is relatively inexpensive, lodging near certain parks can be the opposite. Compounding matters is that you may not find as many large hotel chains in certain remote areas adjacent to national parks. If your plan is to bank your hotel points for a free stay, that may not work for a national park trip.

All told, a national parks pass could be a solid purchase in 2024. But it's important to research what it means to visit different parks and plan your trips in advance. Your best bet is to do that research before investing in a pass so you don't end up throwing your $80 away.