Best options for passes to State/National Parks/Forests?

Question

I'm planning a "coastal" road trip from Orlando (Florida) to Houston (Texas) and want to visit several State and National Parks and Forests en route and wonder if anyone could offer advise about my best option in purchasing passes. Do I purchase a National pass and one for each State individually or is it better to pay at each destination (park entrance) - (which I suspect could be an expensive option)?

Thank you for any advice.

Answer

Your coastal road trip from Orlando to Houston sounds like an amazing adventure, and visiting various state and national parks along the way is a fantastic way to explore the natural beauty of the United States. When it comes to purchasing passes for State and National Parks, there are a few options to consider to make your trip more affordable and convenient.

1. National Parks and Federal Lands Pass

If you're planning to visit several National Parks or Federal lands, the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Lands Pass is a great option. This pass costs $80 and gives you access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, including national parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. The pass is valid for one year from the month of purchase and covers entry for you and your passengers in a private vehicle (up to four adults, children under 16 are free). This can be a huge savings if you plan to visit multiple national parks along your route.

Benefits: Covers all National Parks, Forests, and most federal lands.
Price: $80 for the year.
Good For: National parks, monuments, and forests.

2. State Park Passes

For state parks, each state has its own pricing and pass system. While some states offer annual passes that cover multiple parks, others charge per visit. If you’re visiting multiple parks in one state, you might consider purchasing an annual state park pass, which can often be more economical than paying for each park entry individually. For example, Florida has a Florida State Parks Annual Pass that costs $60 and grants access to most state parks. Similarly, Texas offers the Texas State Parks Pass, which costs $70 and grants unlimited access to most Texas state parks.

Florida: Florida State Parks Annual Pass ($60) – good for most state parks in Florida.
Texas: Texas State Parks Pass ($70) – covers entry to most state parks in Texas.
Other States: Check each state’s website for specific passes (many states offer a similar annual pass).

3. Pay-as-You-Go Option

If you're only visiting a few parks in each state and don't want to commit to an annual pass, you can always pay the individual entrance fees. However, this can quickly add up, especially in states with several popular parks. For example, entry to most national parks is around $30 per vehicle, and state parks can range from $5 to $20 per vehicle depending on the park.

National Parks: Entry fees typically range from $15 to $35 per vehicle.
State Parks: Prices vary but are generally $5-$20 per vehicle.

4. Combination Passes

Some states or parks offer combination passes that include access to both state and national sites, which might offer additional savings. For example, certain areas might have “multi-park” passes, where you can pay for access to several parks at a discounted rate. These are not as common but may be available for certain regions or park systems.

Recommendation: If you plan on visiting several national parks and a few state parks, the America the Beautiful Pass combined with state park annual passes would likely offer the best savings. If you're only visiting a few parks, then paying for each park individually could be more economical. It’s always a good idea to research each park's entrance fees ahead of time and compare them to the cost of annual or multi-park passes to determine the best option for your trip.

Safe travels on your coastal road trip, and enjoy all the beautiful parks and forests along the way!