But it's free to enter the national parks, at least the ones I've been to.
Also a themepark and a national park are very different things. Not justifying a Disneyland pass price as I haven't had one since the pandemic, but still.
Most National Parks (especially major ones such as Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion, Yellowstone) have an entry fee of around $30 per car. Additionally, the Parks pass includes free entry to battle fields, national monuments, and other sites operated by the NPS.
I had a National Parks annual pass in 2021, but only because it made sense for me to do so. Most years, there aren't enough National Parks I encounter on my travels to justify the cost of the pass. While my enjoyment of National Parks has gone up, they're not really the ideal activity for me at the moment as my ankle continues to recover from my great fall last January. If you're the camping kind, they can also be very affordable from a lodging perspective, but if you're like me and require a bed, you're often stuck paying high prices at one of a limited number of nearby hotels.
National Parks are great, but because of my location relative to most of them, it just doesn't make a ton of sense for me to visit them all the time. And as with anything, they're not necessarily going to appeal to everyone.
I'll be making the drive cross-country, with stops at Badlands NP, Devil's Tower NM, Little Bighorn Battlefield NM, Yellowstone NP, Grand Tetons NP, Yosemite NP, Grand Canyon NP, Wupatki Pueblo NM, and Petrified Forest NP; all of which are free entry with the America the Beautiful Pass. The $85 I spent will save me over $180.
In my particular case, it's a great deal, but honestly for anybody living in California, it's a great deal as well, as the state boasts 9 National Parks and
many more operated by the NPS. Sure, they require more commitment than an afternoon trip to Disneyland, but I do believe they're worth the effort.
And look, I love Disneyland, too. I love its history, its charm, its attractions, its urban design plan. But as I've gotten older, the parks have changed, and costs have risen, I'd much rather spend my time and money on places with more substance.
