National parks and refuges senior pass cost increase coming soon

[Acousticado]

Public Service Announcement!

This may be well-known, but in case not.....the lifetime pass (America the Beautiful) rate for seniors 62 and older will increase from $10 to $80 this coming August 28. The pass allows free admission to most national wildlife refuges, national parks and monuments, and other federal lands. So, consider getting one before the increase! Great deal that gives access to so many wonderful experiences.

During our winter months in SW Florida, my wife and I volunteer at the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island off Fort Myers. Beautiful place. Unfortunately, as Canadians we don't qualify for the seniors pass, but would gladly get one if we could. Luckily, as volunteers, we get another pass with equivalent privileges. If you're interested in volunteer opportunities and live near a park or refuge, consider volunteering! Great, caring people...staff and visitors. We're making lots of good friendships.

[Kerbie]

Wish I qualified... I've got several friends who have taken advantage of the generous $10 pass. One of my hiking buddies has gotten his money's worth a million times over.

It's a great deal for good entertainment.

[JCave]

I went after a season pass and ended up with TWO lifetime passes instead, one for each of us. Making the cost 20 bucks... 20 vs 160, yes sir...

[GHS]

Can you access this pass on line or do you need to go to a National Park/Monument to obtain one?

[Kerbie]

Looks like you can do it online. Try this...

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/se...ss-changes.htm

Or better yet... https://store.usgs.gov/senior-pass

[brancher]

I got one last month out at Vesa Merde (or is that Mesa Verde?). It was actually cheaper to buy that than pay the admission fee!

[BrunoBlack]

I got mine 3 years ago. It's a great deal.

[jpd]

Yup, picked mine up at Whiskey Town Lake, Ca. last May. "Lifetime pass!!! Ranger told me that it would go to $80 in October....it cost $10! This is a Federal Park pass...not State Parks

[jpd]

Originally Posted by GHS

Can you access this pass on line or do you need to go to a National Park/Monument to obtain one?

Yes...for $20

[VTexan]

...but I got it at the Grand Canyon. I just wish Texas had more National Parks so I could use it more often.

[ctgagnon]

Been meaning to do this. Thanks for the reminder.

[GHS]

Originally Posted by Kerbie

Looks like you can do it online. Try this...

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/se...ss-changes.htm

Or better yet... https://store.usgs.gov/senior-pass

Thanks. They made the Great Falls in Paterson NJ a National Historic Park not too long ago. But you better be armed if you want to go there.

[SMan]

Got mine in February. Good reminder for those who haven't got one.

[JCave]

Originally Posted by VTexan

...but I got it at the Grand Canyon. I just wish Texas had more National Parks so I could use it more often.

Most of our trails require a pass. These are Forest Service trails not just National parks.

[JosephW]

The NPS probably needs the money more than ever considering the huge numbers of people visiting the park system. It's nice to have gotten the pass before the big increase, but I sure don't take them to task for it; and would have gladly paid it if necessary.