You can now purchase an entrance pass to Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks in advance electronically/NPS

A pilot program to speed up lines at entrance stations has come to Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. Through the Your Pass Now program, visitors can purchase entrance and annual passes for the California parks using a smart device, such as a cell phone, tablet, or computer, by visiting www.yourpassnow.com/parkpass.

Once purchased, electronic passes may be printed or can reside on a mobile device for use at the park on the date of purchase or at a specified future date. Staff will validate them at the park. Instructions for the electronic passes will be provided when they are purchased. Passes are non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-replaceable if lost or stolen.

This year’s program comes from NIC, LLC and is being piloted at five other park units. Last year, the parks piloted another digital pass program through Viply. By testing and experiencing both programs, the parks will be able to weigh the pros and cons of each.

Eighty percent of revenue collected from entrance fees stays within the parks and supports the maintenance of trails, visitor centers, and the operation of the in-park shuttle buses; the other 20 percent supports the entire National Park System.