Planning a bucket list-worthy adventure in Southern Utah doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank. Gooseberry Lodge has several budget-friendly Zion lodging options to help you save on your next visit to Southern Utah. 

Our Standard Bunkhouse Lodge is our most economical option, with space to sleep two to three guests comfortably. Free cooking supplies, including disposable eateries like plates, bowls, and utensils, are also available for those who want to cook a meal instead of dining out during their stay.

While our Utah cabins are great for stretching your vacation budget further, they aren’t the only way to save some money on your next getaway. Another great resource is the national park annual pass. However, this pass isn’t a money-saving option for every traveler.

Wondering whether a national park annual pass could help you save money during your next visit to Gooseberry Lodge? Keep reading to learn more about the pass and whether or not you should purchase one.

What is a National Park Annual Pass?

The national park annual pass, also known as the America the Beautiful Pass, is available to anyone, including U.S. citizens and non-citizens. 

For $80, the pass provides access to all federal recreation sites with an entrance fee for one year. This includes not just national parks, but also national monuments, battlefields, historical parks, and more. The pass provides access for one of the two cardholders and up to three guests if entering on foot, or up to 15 people if entering the site in a vehicle. You can purchase this pass online at the USGS Store or at most federal recreation sites that charge an entrance fee.

Certain groups of individuals may be eligible for a free or discounted annual pass. Current U.S. military members and their dependents, for instance, are eligible for a free Military Annual Pass. 

Fourth graders in the U.S., including home-school or free-choice learners who are 10 years of age, are eligible for a free pass for their school year through the Every Kid Outdoors program. 

U.S. citizens age 62 or older can purchase a Lifetime Senior Pass for $80, or an annual pass for $20. Permanent residents and U.S. citizens with a permanent disability are eligible for a free lifetime pass, called an Access Pass.

Should You Purchase a National Park Annual Pass?

So, should you purchase a national park annual pass for your Gooseberry Lodge stay? The answer depends on how you plan to spend your time during your stay in our Zion National Park vacation rentals, and whether you’ll visit other parks in the next year.

Our Utah cabins are a popular choice for visitors making their way to Zion National Park. Without an annual pass, you’ll pay $35 to enter the park in a vehicle with up to 15 passengers, or $20 per person if entering on foot. Visitors who park in Springdale and ride the shuttle will need to pay the per-person fee, which can add up quickly for larger groups. Children age 15 and under can enter the park for free on foot. Whether you enter in a car or on foot, your entrance fee gets you access to the park for seven consecutive days.

If you’re only planning to visit Zion during your Gooseberry Lodge stay and won’t visit other parks with an entrance fee in the next year, an annual pass isn’t a good investment. However, there are other national parks that you can enjoy a day trip to during your stay in our Zion lodging. If you plan to visit just two more of these parks, a pass could help you save some money during your stay.

Bryce Canyon, for instance, is just a two-hour drive from our Zion National Park vacation rentals. The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is also around two hours away. Capitol Reef National Park is around three and a half hours away. While it’s a little farther than the other two parks, it can still make for a fun day trip. Each of these national parks charges an entrance fee ranging from $20 to $35 per carload and $10 to $20 per person for those entering on foot.

Saving Money on Your Gooseberry Lodge Stay

If you’re going to visit a few national parks during your stay in our Zion lodging or plan to visit other national parks with an entrance fee during the next 12 months, a national park annual pass could help you save some money.

Looking for another great way to save on your next visit to Gooseberry Lodge? Right now, when you book a stay of three or more nights before October 31, you’ll receive a 15 percent discount on your booking. Book your next stay in our Utah cabins today to take advantage of these savings!