Staff at far Northern California parks — Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lava Beds National Monument — are prepping for large holiday crowds over Memorial Day weekend.
Considered the kickoff for the summer high season, Memorial Day is one of the three busiest times of the year for parks, according to the National Park Service. The other two holidays when Americans historically fill park campgrounds and trails are Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Passes — sold at park visitor centers, entrances and online — include ones that get holders into multiple Northern California parks. The park service also hosts free fee days several times a year.
Here are 2026 pass prices, where to buy them online, free visitor days in 2026 and which pass gets you into which park.
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Do parks offer discount passes?
The National Park Service offers senior and veteran discounts on some passes, so check the following park websites or with park staff when you buy your pass.
Parks like Whiskeytown offer academic fee waivers for educational groups. Teachers need to apply in advance.
How much is a pass to Lava Beds National Monument?
Lava Beds National Monument at Tulelake sells passes at nps.gov/labe/planyourvisit/fees.htm#spci.
A standard seven-day pass to visit Lava Beds National Monument is $15 for cyclists and people on foot, $20 for motorcycles with no more than two people, and $25 for vehicles. The latter covers everyone in a single vehicle.
For more information, call 530-667-8113 or go to nps.gov/labe.
How much is a pass to Whiskeytown National Recreation Area?
Located west of Redding, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area sells passes at nps.gov/whis/planyourvisit/fees.htm#pass__52.
A standard seven-day pass to visit Whiskeytown is $15 for cyclists and people on foot, $20 for motorcycles with up to two people riding, and $25 for vehicles with one or more people.
For more information, call 530-242-3400 or go to nps.gov/whis.
How much is a pass to Lassen Volcanic National Park?
Lassen Volcanic National Park in northeastern California sells passes at the gate or buy one at nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/fees.htm#pass__3.
The park sells discount winter passes for use from Dec. 1 to April 15, when backcountry camping and skiing are allowed in some park areas. Be aware the highway through the park and most roads and campgrounds close for the winter.
Passes for seven consecutive days cost the following:
For more information, call 530-595-6100 or go to nps.gov/lavo.
How much are annual park passes or Northern California/Southern Oregon 4-Park Pass?
Whiskeytown, Lassen VPN and Lava Beds National Monument in California, and Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, sell one universal annual park pass.
The Northern California/Southern Oregon 4-Park Pass costs $55 and gets the pass holder into all four parks in 2026.
What does an America the Beautiful pass cost?
Available at most national park visitor centers, an America the Beautiful pass gives the holder access to parks, forests and wildlife areas under multiple federal agencies.
Passes cost $20 to $80 for U.S. citizens and residents, $250 for non-residents. They’re free to most veterans and active military, people with disability status, fourth graders and volunteers who logged at least 250 hours at a federal recreation site.
To buy this pass online, go to nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm#america-the-beautiful-passes.
What days can I visit a national park for free?
There are seven remaining holidays in 2026 when you can visit a national park without paying an entrance fee.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal, Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding’s Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: What you’ll pay to enter Northern California’s national parks
Reporting by Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
