Joshua Tree Entrance Fee 2026: Cost, Annual Passes & How to Save
The entrance fee to Joshua Tree National Park is $30 per vehicle, valid for 7 consecutive days and covering every person in the car. For most groups, that works out to a few dollars each — a reasonable price for one of the most dramatic desert landscapes in the country. If you're visiting multiple national parks in a year, the $80 America the Beautiful Annual Pass covers all of them and pays for itself quickly. And for seniors, active military, and visitors with qualifying disabilities, free or steeply discounted passes make the park even more accessible. Here's everything you need to know about fees, passes, and how to get the most from your visit.
2026 Guide
Joshua Tree Entrance Fee & Cost
Current fees, annual passes, free entry days, and how to get the most value from every dollar you spend at the park.
Updated for 2026
What Does It Cost to Visit Joshua Tree National Park?
The standard entrance fee to Joshua Tree National Park is $30 per vehicle — and that covers everyone in the car for a full 7 days. If you're visiting once and splitting the cost among a group, it's one of the best-value outdoor experiences in the country.
If you visit multiple national parks or public lands in a year, the $80 America the Beautiful Annual Pass covers entrance fees at all of them. For seniors, military, and visitors with qualifying disabilities, there are free or deeply discounted passes that make the park even more accessible. Here's the full breakdown.
Current Rates
Joshua Tree National Park Entrance Fees — 2026
| Pass Type | Cost | Valid For | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Pass | $30 | 7 days | Covers all occupants of a single private, non-commercial vehicle. Most common option for families and groups. |
| Motorcycle Pass | $25 | 7 days | Covers the motorcycle and all riders. Valid at any entrance to Joshua Tree for 7 consecutive days. |
| Per Person (foot / bike) | $15 | 7 days | For visitors arriving on foot, bicycle, or other non-motorized transport. Covers one individual. |
| America the Beautiful Annual | $80 | 12 months | Covers entrance fees at all national parks and 2,000+ federal recreation sites. Best value for frequent visitors. |
| Senior Annual Pass (62+) | $20 | 12 months | For U.S. citizens and permanent residents aged 62 or older. Renewable annually. |
| Senior Lifetime Pass (62+) | $80 | Lifetime | One-time purchase. Covers entrance fees at all national parks and federal recreation sites for life. |
| Access Pass (permanent disability) | Free | Lifetime | For U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a permanent disability. Also provides 50% discount on some recreation fees. |
| Military Pass (active duty) | Free | Annual | For active-duty U.S. military and dependents. Available at entrance stations with valid military ID. Gold Star Families also eligible. |
| 4th Grade Pass | Free | School year | Free admission for 4th graders and their accompanying family. Available through the Every Kid Outdoors program at everykidoutdoors.gov. |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass | $250 | 12 months | For international visitors (non-U.S. residents) aged 16 and older. Covers entrance fees for a private vehicle — or up to 4 adults where per-person fees apply — at all federal recreational lands for 12 months. |
Note: Fees listed are current as of 2026 and verified from the NPS. Entrance fees are subject to change — confirm at nps.gov/jotr before your visit.
Best Value
The America the Beautiful Annual Pass
At $80, the America the Beautiful Annual Pass is the smartest purchase for anyone visiting more than two or three national parks in a year. It covers entrance fees at all 400+ national park sites and over 2,000 federal recreation areas managed by the NPS, Forest Service, BLM, Bureau of Reclamation, and Fish & Wildlife Service.
For a single trip to Joshua Tree with another park like Zion, Grand Canyon, or Death Valley on the itinerary, the pass pays for itself before you even get home. It's valid for 12 months from the date of purchase and covers the passholder and up to three other adults (children under 16 always enter free).
Buy it online at store.usgs.gov, at any entrance station, or at any participating federal recreation site.
No Entrance Fee Required
Free Entrance Days at Joshua Tree — 2026
The NPS designates several fee-free days each year when entrance fees are waived at all national parks, including Joshua Tree. These are popular days — arrive early if you plan to visit during one.
Third Monday of January
Typically mid-April
June 19
August 25
Last Saturday of September
November 11
Heads up: Free fee days do not waive camping fees, reservation fees, or tour fees — only standard entrance. Confirm the current year's fee-free dates at nps.gov before planning your trip around them.
Discounted & Free Passes
Who Qualifies for Free or Reduced-Cost Entry?
U.S. citizens and permanent residents aged 62+ can purchase a lifetime pass for $80. It covers entrance fees at all national parks forever — and also provides a 50% discount on many recreation fees like camping. If you visit even one national park per year, it pays for itself within a few years.
Active-duty U.S. military members and their dependents receive free admission to all national parks. Available at any entrance station with a valid military ID (CAC card). Gold Star Families are also eligible through the same program.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a permanent disability qualify for a free lifetime Access Pass. In addition to waiving entrance fees, it provides a 50% discount on many campsite and recreation fees. Must be obtained in person or by mail with documentation.
4th graders get free admission to all national parks for themselves and their accompanying family or group through the Every Kid Outdoors program. Get the voucher at everykidoutdoors.gov, then exchange it for a physical pass at any park entrance station.
Paying Your Fee
Where and How to Pay the Entrance Fee
Off Park Boulevard from the town of Joshua Tree. The most popular entrance, closest to Hidden Valley and the main climbing areas. Staffed with card payment accepted.
Off Utah Trail from Twentynine Palms. Closest to the Oasis Visitor Center, a good first stop for maps and current conditions. Staffed with card payment accepted.
Off I-10 near Chiriaco Summit. Closest to Cottonwood Spring, Lost Palms Oasis, and the lower Colorado Desert. Staffed with card payment accepted.
Buy online: Annual passes and interagency passes can be purchased in advance at store.usgs.gov, Recreation.gov, or at the park entrance. Single-use passes are also available at self-pay kiosks at some entry points if stations are unstaffed. Credit and debit cards are accepted everywhere — no cash is required.
Maximize Your Visit
6 Tips to Get the Most from Your Entrance Fee
You can enter and exit multiple times. If you're staying in Twentynine Palms or Joshua Tree town, you can leave the park and come back without paying again within your 7-day window.
$30 for a full car is already a deal. Split among 4–5 people, you're paying $6–8 each to access one of the most dramatic landscapes in the American West.
$80 covers unlimited entries at all national parks for a full year. Visiting Joshua Tree, Zion, and Bryce Canyon in one road trip? The pass pays for itself in that single trip.
At $80 — the same price as one annual pass — the Senior Lifetime Pass never expires and never needs renewal. It's one of the best values in outdoor recreation.
Six fee-free days per year are designated by the NPS. They're popular — especially in spring — but if you're flexible on dates they're a great opportunity to save $30.
Some travel credit cards (like the Chase Sapphire Reserve) offer annual credits or benefits that can offset national park fees. Check your card's benefits before buying a pass.
Plan Your Visit
More Joshua Tree Planning Guides
What to expect in March, April, and May — crowds, conditions, and how to make the most of peak season.
The 10 apps that make planning and navigating Joshua Tree easier — offline maps, stargazing, wildlife ID, and more.
A guided adventure gets you deep.
Common Questions
Joshua Tree Entrance Fee — FAQ
As of 2026: $30 per vehicle (valid 7 days), $25 per motorcycle (valid 7 days), and $15 per person arriving on foot or by bicycle (valid 7 days). The vehicle pass covers all occupants of a single private, non-commercial vehicle.
Yes, if you visit more than 2–3 national parks or federal recreation sites in a year. At $80, it covers entrance fees at all 400+ national park sites and 2,000+ federal lands for 12 months. It pays for itself after 3 visits to Joshua Tree at the vehicle rate — or after one road trip that hits multiple parks.
Yes — the NPS designates several fee-free days each year when entrance is waived at all national parks. These typically include Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January), the first day of National Park Week (April), Juneteenth (June 19), NPS Birthday (August 25), National Public Lands Day (September), and Veterans Day (November 11). Confirm the current year's dates at nps.gov before planning around them.
Yes. U.S. citizens and permanent residents aged 62 or older qualify for the Senior Pass: $20 for annual, $80 for lifetime. The lifetime pass covers entrance fees at all national parks forever and provides a 50% discount on many recreation fees. At the same cost as one annual pass, the lifetime pass is almost always the better choice.
Yes. The Access Pass is a free lifetime pass for U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a permanent disability. It covers entrance fees at all national parks including Joshua Tree and provides a 50% discount on many campsite and recreation fees. The pass must be obtained in person at a federal recreation site or by mail through the USGS Store with supporting documentation.
Yes. Active-duty U.S. military members and their dependents receive free admission to all national parks through the America the Beautiful Military Pass. It's available at any entrance station with a valid military ID. Gold Star Families are also eligible for free admission under the same program.
At any of the three entrance stations: West Entrance (off Park Blvd from the town of Joshua Tree), North Entrance (off Utah Trail from Twentynine Palms), or South/Cottonwood Entrance (off I-10). Credit and debit cards are accepted at all staffed stations. Annual passes can also be purchased in advance at store.usgs.gov.
Standard entrance passes (vehicle, motorcycle, and per-person) are valid for 7 consecutive days from the date of first use. You can enter and exit the park multiple times within that window — useful for multi-night camping stays or day trips from nearby towns like Twentynine Palms or the town of Joshua Tree.
Summit Climbing Guides
Make Your Visit Count
A guided adventure goes places most visitors never reach. Rock climbing, rappelling, caves, and off-trail routes — all inside Joshua Tree National Park.
Check Availability