Check the adult limit
For an eligible buyer, the $55 Shenandoah Annual Pass costs less than two $30 vehicle passes. It covers the holder and passengers up to four adults total. Children under 16 are not counted.
Shenandoah National Park entrance fees
Pay for access to the park, including hiking in from its boundary.
Shenandoah National Park entrance fees · 2026 · U.S. dollars
| Pass or entry | Price | Who it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Private vehicle | $30 | One private, non-commercial vehicle and everyone in it, for seven consecutive days starting the day you buy it |
| Motorcycle | $25 | Up to two private motorcycles with up to four people in all, 7 days |
| Per person (foot or bicycle) | $15 | Each visitor 16 or older, 7 days. Under 16 free. A family traveling together pays no more than the vehicle fee |
Annual and eligibility passes
Check passenger coverage as well as price. The Shenandoah Annual Pass has a four-adult limit.
Annual and eligibility passes · 2026 · U.S. dollars
| Pass or entry | Price | Who it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Shenandoah Annual Pass | $55 | U.S. citizens and residents: Shenandoah for one year, for the holder and passengers in one vehicle, up to 4 adults in all. Kids under 16 don't count toward the 4 |
| America the Beautiful annual | $80 | U.S. citizens and residents: entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation lands for a year, one vehicle or four per-person fees |
| America the Beautiful annual, non-resident | $250 | Non-U.S. residents: the whole vehicle, or two motorcycles, or the holder plus three adults where fees are per person |
| Senior annual / lifetime | $20 / $80 | U.S. citizens and residents 62 and older. Also 50% off Shenandoah campsite fees |
| Access pass | Free | U.S. citizens and residents with a permanent disability. Also 50% off Shenandoah campsite fees |
| Military annual / lifetime | Free | Current U.S. military and dependents (annual); Gold Star Family members and veterans (lifetime) |
| 4th grade pass | Free | U.S. 4th graders |
| Volunteer pass | Free | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours |
Backcountry fees are per trip
The backcountry permit charges per person for the trip, plus a reservation fee, rather than per night. A federal pass does not discount it, and entrance must still be covered separately.
Estimate your entrance cost
Estimate one private entry and compare America the Beautiful options using your group’s ages and residency. Separately charged activities and organized groups are excluded.
Standard private entry only. Children under 16 do not pay individual entrance or nonresident fees. Annual-pass estimates assume no existing pass; they cover one private vehicle or the holder plus three adults on foot. Motorcycle estimates cover up to two motorcycles and four people. Check pass eligibility and group rules before paying.
Where to buy your pass
Choose the park’s accepted payment method, keep the pass or tag ready, and bring any required proof of eligibility.
Bring a card or mobile payment
Shenandoah accepts mobile or electronic payments for entrance and campground fees. Buy an entrance pass in advance on Recreation.gov or at an entrance station. The official fees page lists third-party pass sellers for cash buyers.
Carry proof for your pass
Bring valid photo identification with an America the Beautiful pass. These passes are nontransferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
Old Rag and overnight costs
An entrance pass does not cover an Old Rag day-use ticket or an overnight backcountry permit.
Old Rag day-use ticket
$2
Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails, March 1 to November 30, bought in advance. On top of an entrance pass
Backcountry camping permit
$9 each + $6
$9 per person for the whole permit, up to 14 nights, plus a $6 non-refundable reservation fee
Entrance fee-free days
Check the official NPS dates and eligibility for your travel year. Separately charged services and reservations may still cost money.
Find an eligible fee-free day
Use the official calendar before choosing a free entrance day. Confirm who qualifies and which charges are waived.
Questions about Shenandoah fees
Quick answers to the practical questions below.
Do I pay if I hike into Shenandoah?
Yes. The entrance fee applies whether you drive Skyline Drive or hike in from the boundary.
Does a Shenandoah entrance pass cover Old Rag?
It covers park entrance. The Old Rag day-use ticket is separate; check the official Old Rag page for the dates and trails covered.
Can I pay cash at the entrance?
Entrance and campground fees use card or mobile payment. The NPS fees page lists third-party pass sellers for visitors paying cash.
Does a Senior or Access Pass discount a backcountry permit?
No. Shenandoah says federal passes do not discount backcountry camping permit fees.
How we built this page.
An independent guide using official data. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service.
- Official guidance
- NPS and the relevant operators. The linked official pages support the access, facilities and rules described here. Confirm details before traveling.
- Schedules and conditions
- Planning patterns, not live status. Seasonal information describes the normal pattern or explicitly dated source schedule. Current conditions are handled separately. The official source is the place to confirm today’s access.
Topic sources and data details
Fees, coverage, eligibility and buying instructions come from the official sources linked beside the tables and cards. The displayed price inventory is dated 2026. Prices retain the listed charging unit and eligibility.
Cost estimates use the listed standard-entry rates and documented interagency pass coverage. They exclude organized or commercial groups, separately charged activities, and guessed fees at other parks. A residency choice does not replace the eligibility documents required by NPS.
The fee-free section points to official dates and eligibility without storing a fixed calendar in this page. Current closures, temporary rules and services are carried separately by Current conditions. A design review does not refresh an underlying table verification date.
Operational source check: September 10, 2026. Design and emphasized source review: 2026-10-21. A design review does not refresh every underlying record.