Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29 (Read 796 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.
ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Many on this forum are probably already aware, but just a reminder to you 62+ folks; The National Park Senior Lifetime Pass -- currently $10 is set to increase in price on July 29 to a whopping $80!!!!!  Get yours at any federal park, seashore, historic site, monument, etc.  Worth getting at the bargain $10 rate.  You will need to show ID, so bring some with you.
2017 RB
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #1 –
Ray,

Thanks for the heads up, however the date for postmarked Senior Pass Applications appears to be a little later than you state.

When picking up my extra Senior Pass in Yellowstone last week the date for picking up a Senior Pass was August 31st.

I wish I had paid for my DW's Annual Pass at the same time since we misplaced the receipt for our rental car when we entered the Park and got dinged again when leaving Yellowstone and entering Teton National Park. Grand total...$80. Ouch!

Here is a link to the Senior Pass on the USGS website.    America the Beautiful - National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Senior...

Seniors rock...Now there's a Graduation I can celebrate for life.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #2 –
I have mine, but $80 bucks is still a bargain. I'd pay twice as much and be happy to do it, but I'd feel better knowing for certain that all of the funds are going to taking care of our parks and public places.  I'm not so sure that's true these days.
Bill
2003 -- 23' FL
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #3 –
Yeah, and a lot of state and county campgrounds and parks will discount off the federal pass, too.  It's a bargain for sure.
2017 RB
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #4 –
The only state park system *that I know of* that accepts the federal Senior and Access passes for a campsite discount is Louisiana; which additional state park systems and/or county or local parks accept the federal Senior/Access passes for campsite discounts?
2003 TK has a new home
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #5 –
Quote from: krmugn  - 
I have mine, but $80 bucks is still a bargain.
Agree but still plan on visting nearest field office  when eligible in August to pick up a couple  for DW and self before the price hike.  Appreciate the heads up by OP and other recent posters on the end of Aug price change.
2006 MB
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #6 –
I am not sure, I guess, about the state parks.  We have received discounts at campgrounds in California, Utah and Kansas for sure.  I'll ask Kathy.  She always "logs us in" at each site.  Oh, also in Nevada.  I know those because I did the paper work in those few instances.  To be honest, I did not even pick up a pass until late last year.  We always booked in under her pass.  She made me go down and get one last week.  I went to the bookstore at Fort Point while walking the dog one afternoon. That's when the ranger told me about the price hike. Kathy said that she already knew that, and so that is why she told me to go fetch mine.  I probably would not have known about it otherwise. We have used her pass several times to drive through Yosemite over Tioga Pass on Highway 120 to Lee Vining.  Otherwise, that trip would have cost $20. 
2017 RB
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #7 –
"We have received discounts at campgrounds in California, Utah and Kansas for sure."
---
The California State Parks system offers $1.00 off a extra vehicle fee and a $2.00 discount off the price of a campsite for residents who are 62 and over, but this discount is through the California State Parks and is unrelated to the federal "senior pass" (and "access pass") system.

Senior Discounts and Passes

Other state park systems may offer their own discounts, but rate reductions are usually reserved for residents of that state. County parks, regional parks, local parks, and every other "park jurisdiction" may have their own discount for campsites or facilities' use, but, as far as I know (and with that exception of Louisiana state parks; there may be others), the federal pass discount system is applicable for federally-operated facilities.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #8 –
Yes, you are probably right. Kathy tells me that the campgrounds we most frequently visit out of state are in fact in national forests -- a bit of a misnomer since they often include regions of high deserts.  The California site we spend the most time at for extended weekends is run by a local water district, but it is in a national forest. We get discounts there.  They have a second reservoir close by, which we have never stayed at, but the same discounts apply there, as well.  We haven't stayed at an LA Water and Power site in several years -- most off Highway 395, but she thinks they also gave the discount.  Although my sister-in-law and her hubby beat us there and paid fees on our behalf, Kathy is pretty sure that we all got the discount at Lake Meade in Kansas.  By the way, that is a very nice park if you are traveling in southwestern Kansas.
2017 RB
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #9 –
And in the 'For what it's worth' department...

Many of you may not be aware that the State of California has a 'Disabled Veteran's Pass' for those who qualify. If you have been certified as 50% disabled or more (usually by the V.A.) you can apply for this pass. It not only entitles you to reduced fee hunting and fishing licenses but also gives you FREE camping at any CA State Park. That's why I have yet to pay the freight at Morro Bay.   :D

I have also found that this pass secures you free camping at any of the Monterey County Parks as well.   :)

Special Passes
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #10 –
Oh my goodness. The California State Parks Passes are rather confusing and overwhelming. There is no "One Size Fits All" and the imposed limitations and built in exclusions just help to exasperate matters.

On top of everything, I wonder the true value of purchasing any California pass every year when the discounts don't make themselves immediately clear. Then it appears that one pass after another must be purchased to attach to another.

Seems State bureaucrat's have far too much time on their hands designing the abundant passes that are being made available.

Am I missing something? Are the passes worth it? I know that my Senior Pass for The National Parks & Federal Recreation Lands Pass provides obvious discounts but overall the California Passes and discounts are far less obvious. Obfuscation is apparently live and well in Sacramento.

Ouch!

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #11 –
The link to CA's "passes page":

Annual & Special Pass Descriptions

Whether to buy any pass from any entity obviously depends on how, where, when, and how much one plans to use it.  For several reasons, I seldom camp in CA state parks, so, for me, any of the "potpourri of passes" would not be cost effective. Since the average price of a non-hookup campsite in a CA state park is $35.00 (a few are less, and some are a lot more!), the $2.00 per campsite senior "discount" is negligible (though "better than a poke in the a-- with a sharp stick", as my Mama told me), and none of the passes I saw would make any difference in the ultimate cost per night for me.

I'll take any legitimate discount offered for anything from any source, but sometimes a "discount" can be more trouble that it's worth!  ;)

2003 TK has a new home
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #13 –
Thanks for the heads up!  We just hightailed it up to Cabrillo Nat'l Monument here and picked up my husband's pass. He just became eligible in June. The line was 15 cars long for the passes. Me, being the older woman, bought mine last March.
Susan Wilson
'95 MB
'03  Front Lounge
'15   TK
‘21 MB
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #14 –
Quote from: Ray S.  - 
Oh, also in Nevada.

What parks in Nevada honor the Federal Senior Pass (other than Great Basin NP and Lake Mead NRA, or any of the USFS campgrounds)?

We do a lot of camping in Nevada and have stayed in some of their State Parks, but I am not aware that any of them honor the Federal Senior Pass.
Linda Hylton
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #15 –
We stopped at a Federal Wilderness area yesterday to see if we could dry camp there in the Fall.  We also decided to get another National Park Pass for DW.  The Rangers said they've sold out (200 in the last week) and we'd have to travel another 30 miles to another office that still has them for sale.  Selling like hotcakes.
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #16 –
Lynda,

I'm pretty sure that the Nevada passes are for residents only. I have their senior pass. It's an annual pass but does provide both free admission and free camping. I forget the exact cost but it's about the same as one night of camping. Also, the "year" starts with the month of purchase, not January. So I usually buy one the first time I camp in a Nevada state park after the last pass has expired.

You might be interested to know that Nevada has a promising new state park in the works, including both hook up and primitive campsites.

The Walker River State Recreation Area, Nevada's Newest State Park | State Parks

I've fished in that area and it's beautiful. The one problem has always been access to the Walker River. This will change that dramatically.

Terry
2003 26.5' RB
Gardnerville, NV
Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #17 –
Good news, thanks Nevada!
Paul
'92 Mid Bath
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #18 –
Quote from: Terry Burnes  - 
I'm pretty sure that the Nevada passes are for residents only.

True, but that's different than the America the Beautiful Senior (or Access) Pass the OP is talking about.

Quote from: Terry Burnes  - 
You might be interested to know that Nevada has a promising new state park in the works, including both hook up and primitive campsites.

The Walker River State Recreation Area, Nevada's Newest State Park | State Parks

That'll be interesting when it gets up and running.  We've camped often along the shores of Walker Lake at 20 Mile Beach.  It's been sad to see the level of the lake go down.  Hopefully, the Walker Basin Conservancy mentioned in the article will be able to do something about that.
Linda Hylton
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #19 –
Quote from: Linda Hylton  - 

That'll be interesting when it gets up and running.  We've camped often along the shores of Walker Lake at 20 Mile Beach.  It's been sad to see the level of the lake go down.  Hopefully, the Walker Basin Conservancy mentioned in the article will be able to do something about that.


Thanks to a wet winter, the water level in Walker Lake is up about 12 feet so far this year and USGS projections are for a rise of 15 to 18 feet.  As water from the East Walker is added to that maybe the lake can begin to recover. I hope so because it is in pretty sad shape now.

There are also improvements and upgrades in the works for several other Nevada State parks according to this article: Explore Your Nevada | State Parks
Jean Gunter

2000 Mid-bath
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #20 –
A friend of mine just got her senior's National Park pass. She said the rate goes up on August 27.
 
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #22 –
Quote from: JCT  - 
Senior Pass info redux:
America the Beautiful Passes (U.S. National Park Service)

Thanks for the reminder, need to visit a ranger station, during the next two weeks, to get a spare.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #23 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
Thanks for the reminder, need to visit a ranger station, during the next two weeks, to get a spare.

We had a bit of trouble finding a Ranger Station with the cards in stock in our area!  So we ordered on-line and that wait time is up to 12 weeks.   The 12 week card is our backup card. 
Re: ALERT -- Lifetime National Park Pass Price Soars July 29
Reply #24 –
Quote from: Traxless  - 
We had a bit of trouble finding a Ranger Station with the cards in stock in our area!  So we ordered on-line and that wait time is up to 12 weeks.  The 12 week card is our backup card.
I may end up doing that. we will pass by several stations over the next few weeks.
It's vacation time .

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze