The annual Pass provides entry to all National Parks where an entrance fee is charged. Beginning May 14, REI will sell the Pass for $49.99 as a service to its members and other customers who visit REI retail stores and REI.com for assistance in planning and gearing up for their outdoor escapes. "Our National Parks are places for inspiration and rejuvenation. We hope by providing the pass we will encourage people to experience these American treasures," said REI President and CEO Sally Jewell.

The 2005 National Parks Pass is valid for one year from the last day of the month it's first used. When purchasing the pass at REI, customers will also receive a free American Park Network National Park Guide, featuring content from Fodor's Road Guides USA, and the 2005 National Parks Pass Owner's Manual. The Owner's Manual is a pocket-sized guide to America's National Parks, featuring Park listings by state, user-friendly maps with a regionalized focus, helpful Park-related website addresses, and must-do's at each National Park.

With each Pass purchased, park enthusiasts are supporting the Parks, as more than 80 percent of the purchase price is returned directly to the Parks for priority projects. Where a per-vehicle fee is required, the Pass admits the cardholder and all accompanying passengers in a single, private, non- commercial vehicle. At Parks where a per-visitor fee is required, the Pass admits the cardholder, spouse, parents and children. The Pass covers Park admission only, and does not include user fees such as parking, overnight campgrounds, shuttles, boat launches and guided interpretive tours.

The National Parks Pass is produced and sold by the National Park Service in partnership with the National Park Foundation (http://www.nationalparks.org/), the Congressionally-chartered nonprofit partner of America's National Parks.

REI is a national outdoor retail cooperative committed to inspiring, educating and outfitting for a lifetime of outdoor adventure. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI is today the nation's largest consumer co-op with more than 2.5 million active members. REI offers products from all of the top brands including its own line of award-winning gear and apparel. While anyone may join or shop at REI, members pay a one-time $15 fee and receive a share in the company's profits through an annual member refund based on their purchases. REI currently operates stores in 25 states, two online stores -- http://rei.com/ and http://rei-outlet.com/ -- and an adventure travel company, REI Adventures. A portion of REI's profits is set aside each year for support of environmental stewardship and outdoor recreation causes.

Web site: http://www.nationalparks.org
http://REI.com
http://REI-OUTLET.com

Source: National Park Foundation

CONTACT: Matt Grandstaff of the National Park Foundation,
+1-202-238-4213, mgrandstaff@nationalparks.org; or Randy Hurlow of
Recreational Equipment, Inc., +1-253-395-5877, rhurlow@rei.com