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Wildlife in the Parks

Field Guide: Common Geology and Terrain Terms

PLANNING YOUR VISIT

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Visiting one of the 35 western national parks is truly an adventure, especially when you factor in their remote locations and limited services. To better prepare you for your visit, here is a helpful overview of basics like park passes, stargazing, family tips, tours, and photography.

PARK PASSES

NATION-WIDE PASSES

If you’re going to visit several American national parks in one vacation or over the course of a year, you may save money by investing in an annual pass. Each of these passes admits the cardholder and others in the vehicle (or up to three others at places that charge per person) to any national park in the United States and other designated federal recreational lands, such as national wildlife refuges, forests, and grasslands (find participating areas at | store.usgs.gov/pass).

You must have photo identification with you when presenting your pass at any park entrance. All passes are nontransferable and nonrefundable. If they are lost or stolen, they will need to be repurchased.

See www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm for additional information.

America the Beautiful Annual Pass. This $80 pass is valid for a year from the date of purchase. Buy the pass online (store.usgs.gov/pass), by phone (888/275–8747 Ext. 1) or in person.

America the Beautiful Senior Pass. If you’re 62 or older, you can purchase this pass for $10, and it is valid for a lifetime. You must purchase it in person.

America the Beautiful Access Pass. Those with disabilities may acquire a parks pass that is free of charge and valid for a lifetime. You must show documentation of your disability, and the pass can only be obtained in person.

America the Beautiful Volunteer Pass. Volunteer 500 or more service hours in national parks or other federal recreation lands and you’ll be eligible for this free pass that is valid for one year from the date of acquisition.

The Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access passes have been discontinued. These passes can still be used for park entrance if they are still valid according to the pass’s original provisions.

CANADIAN PARK PASSES

Canada also offers annual passes to its parks. In Canada, an individual pass is only good for that person, not for everyone in the vehicle. For a carload of people to be admitted, you need the family/group pass. All passes must be purchased in person at one of the participating parks or historic sites.

The pass must be signed by the cardholder and is nontransferable. Retain your receipt/proof of purchase in case you lose your pass and need to have it replaced.

See www.pc.gc.ca for details.

Discovery Package. Good for entrance to 27 of Canada’s national parks and 78 national historic sites for a year, this pass cost $85 for individuals, $73 for those 65 and older, and $43 for youth up to age 16. A family/group package pass is $166.

National Parks of Canada Pass. The annual pass for Canada’s national parks is $68 for individuals, $58 for those 65 and older, $34 for youth up to age 16, and $137 for a family/group pass.

OTHER ANNUAL PASSES

Most individual national parks also offer an annual pass for unlimited access for a year to that particular park. Prices vary, but hover around $30 to $50. In a few cases these passes include admission to two parks that are near each other, such as Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Tip →If you think you might be back to the park within a year, ask at the gate how much the annual pass is. Some parks, such as Bryce Canyon, charge $25 for the regular entrance fee but it’s only $5 more for the annual pass—meaning a $20 savings if you return the park within the year.

FREE ADMISSION

A handful of parks have no admission fee:

Channel Islands*

Great Basin*

Redwood

Wind Cave*

*Cave tours have a fee; there is a fee for transporation to Channel Islands.

WHAT TO PACK

EVERYONE’S TOP 10

Packing lists for any trip vary according to the individual and his or her needs, of course, but here are 10 essential things