Seniors, time is running out to buy your lifetime pass to America’s national parks for just $10. On August 28, per Congressional legislation passed last December, the price will jump to $80. Still a bargain when you consider that admission to many parks can be $20-$30, but why wait? If you’ve any interest in ever visiting any of more than 2,000 sites and parks, get your $10 pass now.
The Senior Pass can be used at sites managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Funds from passes are used for visitor facilities and to support priority projects and programs.
Passes can be purchased at any National Park Service office with a driver’s license as proof of age. You must be at least 62 to qualify.
The pass can be purchased for $10 before August 28 at a national park or other Federal recreation area that charges an entrance or standard amenity (day use) fee. The pass can also be obtained by mail or on line, for $10 before August 28 but there will be an additional $10 charge for processing, for a total of $20. Due to expected high order volume, there could be delays with online and mail order processing of up to several months.
The legislation requires that the price of the lifetime Senior Pass be the same as the Interagency Annual Pass, which is currently $80. The legislation also introduces a new annual Senior Pass that can be purchased for $20. Seniors who purchase annual Senior Passes for four years can trade them in for a lifetime Senior Pass at no additional charge.
The Senior Pass covers all entrance fees and standard amenity (day use) fees and may provide senior discounts for things such as tours or campsites. The pass also waives the entrance fee for travelling companions. At per-vehicle fee sites, the pass admits the pass holder and all passengers in a noncommercial vehicle. At a per-person fee site, the pass admits the pass holder and three other adults. Children under 16 are always admitted free.
Imagine my delight a few years ago when I drove up to the toll booth at Rocky Mountain National Park, prepared to pay $20, and was told I could have a lifetime pass for just $10. Still the best senior admission deal I’ve ever come across.
Thanks for posting this. Bob got his recently, and we got to use at the Redwoods this month. Sorry to hear it’s going up, but if that’s what it takes to help the parks, then ok.
It’s a really good deal if there’s even the remotest chance that you’ll visit a park someday. But like you, I wouldn’t begrudge them the extra income. They need every penny.
Seems pretty reasonable to me, bit over a $1.50 per week, for one year.
Nobody should complain, and after 10 years it works out at 15 cents, theres not much else that you can get for that price, even if you use it rarely or never, it’s there and you’ve got it and the money is going to good use.
Hopefully!
It’s a good deal either way, but the extra $70 might make a difference to some people. Just thought I’d give everyone a heads up.
Great reminder – had me ready to get that done… then read the age restriction line 😉 Oh well, they do need every penny, so i will keep buying annual passes and supporting Rocky Mountain Conservancy till a Lifetime pass can be mine!
Good for you! But of course I know nothing could ever keep you out of “our” park.
It is such a deal – we happily both have/use ours!
Really. Nice you posted this to let people know
So much for so little. And it’s wonderful to be able to take friends into the park for no additional fee.
And it was the same nice people at Rocky MT toll booth that tipped us off, too.
What a great surprise to drive up to the window holding out a $20 bill. “Would you prefer to pay just $10 and get a lifetime pass?” Hell, yeah! Talk about a no-brainer.
Takes a considerate person to point that out – more and more rare…must be the mountain air that brings kindness out of people?
Nah, Park Service rangers, employees, and volunteers are always nice, especially near the visitor centers. But being in those beautiful mountains all day would help anyone’s disposition.