A HOLIDAY GIFT YOU CAN’T “PASS” UP!

The Annual 2009 “America the Beautiful – the National Parks and
Federal Recreational Lands Pass” Available in December through USGS.

WASHINGTON, DC - The Annual “America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass” provides unlimited access to public lands. This year, to celebrate the season, the 2009 Annual Pass will be available for purchase through the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) beginning Monday, December 1.

The pass makes an excellent holiday gift and may be used during the month of December and will then be valid through January 31, 2010. The Annual Pass is normally valid only for 12 months from the month of purchase.

The pass provides access to more than 2,000 Federal recreation sites which offer a wide array of recreational opportunities. Stretch your legs and blaze a cross-country ski trail at Crater Lake National Park, Oregon; spot alligators at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia; toss snowballs in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado; view rare plants and trees in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico; take a hike around New Melones Lake, CA or bike the trails in the Cottonwood Valley in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area, Nevada.

Beginning December 1, 2008, you can order the 2009 Annual America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Lands Pass by visiting http://store.usgs.gov/pass, via email: fedrecpass@usgs.gov, or by calling 1-888-275-8747, option 1. All 2009 Annual Passes purchased through USGS in the month of December will be validated for January 2009, AND will be honored at the participating Federal recreation sites in the month of December. While visiting the USGS online shop - http://store.usgs.gov – take a moment to browse the other great gift ideas such as maps of parks and forests, the United States, exotic foreign lands, or your home town.

The special holiday offer is only valid for purchases through USGS. The 2009 Annual Passes will not be available at Federal recreation sites until January 1, 2009. Passes purchased in person at a Federal recreation site will be punched for the month of purchase.

About the America the Beautiful – the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

The Annual Pass covers Entrance Fees or Standard Amenity Fees at participating sites managed by the US Forest Service, National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.
• Valid for one full year from month of purchase.
• Provides entrance or access to pass holder and accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle at Federally operated recreation sites across the country.
• Covers the pass holder and three (3) accompanying adults age 16 and older at sites where per person entrance fees are charged. No entry fee for children 15 and under.
• Photo identification may be required to verify ownership.
• Passes are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
• Fees vary widely across the thousands of Federal Recreation sites. Please contact specific sites directly for information on what is or is not covered.
• Persons 62 or older or who receive disability benefits may be eligible for the Senior or Access pass.