The Unexpected Reason You Should Never Put Your National Parks Pass On The Dashboard Of Your Car

The U.S. National Park System is surely one of the country's greatest treasures, offering visitors a chance to experience the stunning diversity that makes up the natural fabric of the country. There are 63 parks in total, ranging from this tropical gem in Florida that's almost completely underwater to Alaska's remote Gates of the Arctic, which boasts no roads and breathtaking, remote landscapes.

The National Parks in the U.S. offer something for everyone, and while many are free to visit, some require entrance fees. This means that the best way to enjoy these outdoor wonders — while also supporting the organization that maintains them — is to purchase an annual National Parks Pass. A standard American the Beautiful Pass costs $80 and grants you access to not only all of the country's National Parks and National Monuments, but also other federal recreational lands managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers.

Shaped like a credit card, you either show your pass to the attendant when entering the park or display it inside of your vehicle when parked at unstaffed locations. Do not, however, put it on your dashboard, as it could irretrievably slip down between the windshield and the dash, which could end up being an expensive little mistake.

The thin and slippery nature of the National Parks Pass makes it extremely susceptible to sliding down cracks. Users at various online forums dedicated to cars and vans have described the phenomenon: the pass slips down between the windshield and the dash and becomes seemingly impossible to get out. And given the fact that the National Parks Service doesn't offer replacements for lost cards, that's 80 bucks down the drain.

While there may be ways to fish the card out, success will depend on the make and model of the vehicle, not to mention the dedication and skill of the card's owner. Bent medical forceps may be able to squeeze into the gap and grasp the card's edge, while some have had more success with card stock with something sticky — like duct tape — attached at one end. One online commenter suggested using a tongue depressor with tape, while another insisted that the best method was to employ a strong vacuum with a crevice attachment.

Aside from removing the dash entirely — which is a time-consuming and likely costly endeavor — if your card slips down the dreaded windshield/dash crack, you'll likely have to take the loss and pony up for a new card. As frustrating as that may be, you can take solace in the fact that the money goes to support an otherwise underfunded National Park Service. To avoid losing your pass in the future, you can procure a free hang tag at your local National Park Visitor's Center and use it to hang your pass from the rearview mirror.

While a standard American the Beautiful Pass costs $80 for the year, others pay less or even nothing at all. A Senior Annual Pass (for U.S. citizens and permanent residents aged 62 and over) is just $20, while a Senior Lifetime Pass is $80. Current U.S. military and their dependents can get their passes for free, along with Gold Star Family members and veterans. The Access Pass grants free admission to those with disabilities, and the Every Kid Outdoors Pass is free for all fourth graders in the nation, along with their families.

For those interested in accessing just one park or group of parks for the year, a regular Annual Pass may be your best choice. Not all parks have entrance or day-use fees, so the pass is only required for those that do, and the fees range from $20 to $70 per year. These can be useful if you wish to visit several parks in one area covered by the pass, such as southern Utah's Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, and Hovenweep National Monument. For more American outdoor bliss, check out these national parks you can visit without the need for a car.