Trailhead Parking & Permit Cost Tool
Add up park entrance fees, wilderness permits, trailhead parking and shuttle fees for your whole group. All costs in US dollars (USD).
Trailhead Parking & Permit Cost Calculator: Know Your Hiking Fees Before You Go
Entrance fees, wilderness permits, reservation fees, timed-entry tickets, trailhead parking and hiker shuttles: the small costs of a hike add up fast, especially for a group. Our free trailhead parking and permit cost tool adds up every fee for your whole group and shows the total, the cost per person, the cost per day and whether an annual park pass would save you money.
Start from a template, whether that is a US national park backpacking trip, a national park day hike, a national forest trailhead, a point-to-point hike with a shuttle, or a UK national park day walk or multi-day trail. You can then edit, add or remove fees to match your plans. Each fee can be charged once, per person, per vehicle, per day, per night or any combination. All costs are in US dollars.
How to use the permit and parking cost calculator
- Choose a template close to your trip. It loads typical example fees and group settings.
- Set your group: people, vehicles, days and nights.
- Edit each fee: the name, the cost, how it’s charged (flat, per person, per vehicle per day and so on) and the quantity.
- Tick “pass covers it” for fees an annual pass would cover, which is usually the park entrance fee.
- Enter your annual pass price and the number of similar trips you take each year to see if a pass pays off.
- Copy or print your fee summary and share it with your group.
Common hiking and park fees explained
| Fee | Typical cost (USD) | How it’s charged |
|---|---|---|
| US national park entrance | $20–$35 | Per private vehicle, valid 7 days |
| Per-person entrance (walk-in, bike) | $10–$20 | Per person, valid 7 days |
| Timed-entry / vehicle reservation | About $2 | Per vehicle, booked online |
| Wilderness / backcountry permit | $0–$15 reservation plus $0–$15 | Per trip, plus per person or per night |
| Permit lottery application | $6–$15 | Per application, often non-refundable |
| National forest day-use / trailhead pass | $5–$10 | Per vehicle per day |
| State park day-use parking | $5–$25 | Per vehicle per day |
| Hiker shuttle (point-to-point) | $15–$75 | Per person per ride |
| UK national park car park | $5–$15 | Per vehicle per day (pay & display) |
These figures are typical examples only. Fees change often and vary by park, season and residency, so always check the official website (nps.gov, recreation.gov, fs.usda.gov, your state parks site, or the UK car park operator) before you travel.
Example: 3-day backpacking trip in a US national park
Three friends share one car for a 3-day, 2-night backpacking trip:
- Park entrance, 7-day vehicle pass: 1 vehicle × $35 = $35
- Backcountry permit reservation fee: $10
- Backcountry permit, per person per night: 3 people × 2 nights × $5 = $30
- Bear canister rental: 2 × $5 = $10
- Total: $85, or $28.33 per person
Is the America the Beautiful pass worth it?
The America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass costs $80 a year for US residents. It covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, including national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges and many BLM and Army Corps of Engineers areas. One pass covers everyone in a private vehicle, or up to four adults at per-person sites.
- It pays off after about three $35 national park visits a year.
- It does not cover camping, backcountry permits, reservation or lottery fees, most timed-entry fees, shuttles or state park fees.
- Discounted and free passes: US seniors aged 62+, US military members and veterans, US citizens and permanent residents with permanent disabilities, and US 4th graders can get free or discounted passes.
- International visitors (including from the UK): the US has introduced higher fees for non-residents, including a pricier non-resident annual pass and extra charges at some of the busiest parks. Check nps.gov for current prices before you travel, and enter your price in the calculator.
Tip: Enter your pass price and the number of trips you take a year. The calculator tells you whether a pass saves money, or how many trips it takes to break even.
Parking and permits for UK hiking
UK national parks such as the Lake District, Peak District, Snowdonia (Eryri), the Yorkshire Dales and the Cairngorms are free to enter, but popular trailheads rely on pay & display car parks. Some, such as busy Snowdon car parks, must be booked in advance on peak days. National Trust members park free at National Trust car parks. Wild camping rules vary: it is broadly permitted in much of Scotland under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, but generally needs landowner permission in England and Wales. Park-and-ride and hiker buses (such as the Snowdon Sherpa) can be cheaper and less stressful than finding a space.
How to save on trailhead fees
- Carpool. Vehicle-based fees drop sharply when you fill every seat. Split the fuel with our carpool cost splitter.
- Buy an annual pass if you visit federal lands three or more times a year.
- Visit on fee-free days. US national parks waive entrance fees on several days each year.
- Apply for lotteries strategically. Coordinate with your group so you don’t pay several application fees for the same dates.
- Use public transport or park shuttles where they are free or cheap.
- Arrive early to get the free or cheapest car parks before they fill.
- Check state and county parks, which are often quieter and cheaper than headline national parks.
Plan the whole trip budget
Permits and parking are only part of the cost of a hike. Add your driving cost with the road trip fuel cost calculator, your cooking fuel with the camp stove fuel estimator, and if you are travelling by motorhome, use the RV trip cost calculator.
Related searches this calculator answers
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a hiking permit cost?
Many US wilderness permits are free or cost $0–$15 to reserve, plus $0–$15 per person or per night on popular routes. Lottery applications for high-demand hikes usually cost $6–$15. Check the managing agency or recreation.gov for exact prices.
How much is parking at a trailhead?
Many national forest trailheads charge about $5–$10 per vehicle per day or accept an annual pass. State parks often charge $5–$25 per day, and UK national park car parks typically cost the equivalent of $5–$15 per day.
Is the America the Beautiful pass worth it?
For US residents it costs $80 a year and usually pays off after about three national park visits at $35 each. It covers entrance and standard day-use fees, but not camping, backcountry permits, reservation fees or shuttles.
Does the national park pass cover parking and permits?
The pass covers entrance fees and standard amenity (day-use) fees, which include parking at many federal trailheads. It does not cover wilderness permits, lottery or reservation fees, campgrounds or concession shuttles.
Do you have to pay to enter UK national parks?
No. UK national parks are free to enter. The main costs are car parking, which is usually pay & display, and sometimes pre-booked parking at the busiest trailheads, plus campsites and public transport.
Do international visitors pay more at US national parks?
The US has introduced higher fees for non-residents, including a more expensive non-resident annual pass and additional per-person charges at some of the most visited parks. Check nps.gov for current prices and enter them in the calculator.