Oregon State Park Senior Pass

Should I Get The Oregon State Park Pass And Coast Pass

I need your help on this one. I will be traveling for 12 days to Oregon in late July, I will do the Gorge for 2 days, Mount Hood one day, Smith rock state park, Koosah falls, Sahalie falls, Proxie falls, Newberry volvanic monument, Crate lake , and the coast for over 2 days from Bandon to Seaside before leaving from Portland. Should I purchase the state park pass and Oregon coast pass?

Is this cheaper that paying at the individual parks that charge a fee? Do all parks charge a fee?

Thanks for your help

For 12 days a pass would be reasonable. But which pass?

America the beautiful is National parks. NW Forest Service is.. well NW National Parks. (if you travel a yearly America the Beautiful or National Parks Pass would help you at all National Parks, not just PNW ones.

Oregon State Parks is self explanatory.

The Oregon Coast Pass is a combo for these on the coast.

When you tie down your itinerary you can check locations to see which would work for you.

No, all parks don’t charge. Most do. In the Gorge hiking is National pass. Generally it is $5.00 a day.

Did I confuse you or help?

Best

No passes are needed for Koosah, Sahalie, Clear Lake or Proxy Falls. If all you intend to do on Mt. Hood is visit Timberline Lodge you won’t need a pass. If you’re a senior the America the Beautiful pass mentioned above is a great investment. It’ll get you by the gate at every national park, monument and lots of other places for free for the rest of your life and it’s cheap.

Thanks

America The Beautiful Passes

The America the Beautiful The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series includes different options of interagency passes that provide access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas across the United States, including all national parks. All of these passes may be purchased at the entrance stations.

• Annual entrance pass to all national parks and federal fee areas – $80 – This does not include camping or other reservations.
• Lifetime pass for seniors – $80 – Lifetime or annual admission and discount pass for US citizens or permanent residents who are age 62 or older. An annual version of this pass, valid for 12 months, costs $20.
• Annual pass for 4th graders – Free – Available for US 4th graders, including home-schooled and free-choice learners 10 years of age, with a valid Every Kid Outdoors paper pass
• Annual pass for military – Free – Annual pass covering entrance and standard amenity fees for all active US military personnel and their dependents, valid for 12 months from date of issuance. .)

What Is Not Covered By The Annual Pass

The Annual Pass does not cover Expanded Amenity fees such as camping, boat launching, parking, special tours, special permits or ferries.

Also, some facilities and activities on Federal recreation lands are managed by private concessionaires. The concessionaires charge for their services as any private company does and the Pass is not valid for their services.

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Entrance Fees For Crater Lake National Park

No reservations are needed to enter the park. Beginning January 1, 2023, no cash will be accepted. When you arrive, you can pay by debit or credit cards, and Apple or Samsung pay/digital wallet. Your fees are put to work improving visitor services and facilities. Thank you for supporting your national parks!

• Private Vehicles – $30 in the summer , $20 in the winter . Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle and all occupants. Good for 7 days.
• Motorcycles – $25 in the summer , $15 in the winter .Admits one or two passengers on a private, non-commercial motorcycle. Good for 7 days.
• Bicycles & Pedestrians – $15 per individual.Admits one individual with no motor vehicle . Youth 15 and under are admitted free of charge. Good for 7 days.
• Commercial Vehicles – Fees for commercial vehicles are based on the capacity of the vehicle, not the number of passengers on board:Capacity of 1 to 6 passengers – $25 + $15 per passengerCapacity of 7 to 15 passengers – $75Capacity of 16 to 25 passengers – $100Capacity of 26 or more passengers – $200Note: All individuals, organizations, and businesses that lead commercial trips in the park must apply for a commercial use authorization prior to entering.

$5 Off Oregon State Parks 2023 Parking Permit All December Long

The following is from Oregon State Parks:

SALEM, Oregon Give the gift of the outdoors and save this season with the Oregon State Parks 12-month parking permit sale through December.

The permit hangtag once again features whimsical designs from Portland artist El Tran. Holiday shoppers can buy the annual parking permits for only $25, which is a $5 savings starting Dec. 1 and running through Dec. 31. The pass is good for 12 months starting in the month of purchase.

Purchasing passes is easy. Buy them online at the Oregon State Parks store. Parking permits are also sold at some state park friends group stores and select local businesses throughout the state. For a complete list of vendors, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.

Parking costs $5 a day at 25 Oregon state parks unless you have a 12- or 24-month parking permit or a same-day camping receipt. The 24-month pass is $50 and is also available at store.oregonstateparks.org. The permits are transferable from vehicle to vehicle.

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Additional Benefits Of The Senior Pass

At many sites, the lifetime Senior Pass provides the pass owner a discount on expanded amenity fees . Annual passes do not cover these amenities. Inquire at the places you plan to visit.

The pass program is managed by six federal agencies that operate under different regulations and have different fees. Therefore, the discount program for the Senior Pass is not handled the same way on all federal recreation lands. The best advice is always to inquire locally.

In general, discounts are honored as follows:

• Individual campsites: The discount only applies to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass owner, not to any additional campsites occupied by the pass owner’s party members.
• Campsites with utility hookups: There is no discount if utility fees are charged separately. The discount may apply if the utility fee is combined with the campsite fee.
• Group campsites and facilities : There is no discount for group campsites and other group facilities that charge a flat fee. If the group campsite has a per-person fee rate, only the pass owner receives a discount others using the site pay the full cost.
• Guided tours: The pass offers discounts on some guided tours. Only the pass owner receives a discount if one is provided.
• Transportation systems: Inquire locally.
• Concessionaire fees: Inquire locally.
• Special use permit fees: Inquire locally.

Which States Have Senior Discounts For State Parks

State parks can be a great and economical way to get together with friends and family when the weather is nice and cool. Whats more, some state parks offer discounts for seniors, children, disabled individuals, or those struggling financially if you are a frequent visitor there is also an annual pass available. These discounts can range anywhere from 25% to 75% off your entrance fee.

Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Ohio, and Utah offer the best state park discounts. Keep in mind that there are certain factors to be fulfilled in order to get senior discounts. Read below to know what these factors are, as well as what these senior discounts can get you.

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Get A Discount On Your Oregon State Parks Pass

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Oregon State Parks are amazing! Do you qualify for FREE day use and FREE camping at Oregon State Parks? The answer is YES if youre a veteran, an active-duty military member on leave or a foster family! Find out how you can save money on your Oregon State Parks adventures.

Annual Northwest Forest Pass

The Annual Northwest Forest Pass allows you to access day-use sites and facilities operated by US Forest Service in Oregon and Washington for one year from month of purchase. This pass takes the form of a hangtag that you place on a vehicles rearview mirror. Decals are available for motorcycles. These passes can be purchased online in our shop.

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Oregon State Parks Pass

For the two dozen or so state parks that charge day-use fees, including Silver Falls and several in the Columbia River GorgeCost: $30/year, $50/two years Get it: Buy year or two-year passes online, by calling 800-551-6949, or at various retail outlets.

Olympic National Park in Washington state.

Image: Courtesy Kelsey Neukum/Shutterstock

How To Use The Senior Pass

The Senior Pass admits pass owners and passengers on bicycles or in a non-commercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas, and the pass owner plus three adults, not to exceed four adults, where per-person fees are charged. Children younger than 16 years are always free. Only the vehicle with the pass owner is covered. A second vehicle is subject to an entrance fee or must have a second pass. This applies even if you are traveling together on two motorcycles.

The Senior Pass may also provide the pass owner a discount on some expanded amenity fees such as camping, swimming, boat launching, guided tours, transportation systems, and special-use permit fees. Discounts do not apply at onsite bookstores or gift shops.

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Annual Park Passes To Buy Before Exploring The Pacific Northwest

Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Tired of paying $5 or $10 parking fees every time you show up to the trailhead? Maybe its time to invest in some park passes.

All public recreation sites in the Pacific Northwest, from state parks to federal land, offer annual passes to those who plan on visiting more than just a few places each year. For regular hikers or park visitors, these passes are an easy way to save money in the long run.

Most recreation sites in the region charge some kind of parking or day-use fee, whether its $5 fees at the most popular Oregon state parks and virtually all U.S. Forest Service sites, or $10 fees at Washington state parks and Metro-owned parks around Portland.

National Park sites often charge even more, and have been getting more expensive in recent years: As the start of 2020, entry into Crater Lake National Park increased to $30 per vehicle, while admission to Lewis and Clark National Historical Park increased to $10 per person.

With some combination of park passes, savvy travelers can explore the Pacific Northwest on a tighter budget.

For example, the America the Beautiful Pass would pay for itself after one visit to Crater Lake, one visit to Olympic National Park and four day hikes on national forest lands. Everything after that would effectively be free.

The Oregon State Parks pass would pay for itself after six visits to state park sites that usually charge a parking fee a feat easily accomplished during a summer road trip down the coast.

How To Buy And Use The National Park Pass For Seniors

• Additional Benefits

If you’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident age 62 years or older who likes to travel, you’ll want to buy a Senior Pass. The Senior Pass allows free access and discounts at National Parks and other federal recreation sites. The official name of the Senior Pass is America the Beautifulthe National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. This pass replaced the Golden Age Passport.

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Other More Specialized Passes

• Oregon Sno-Park Pass: Required seasonally to park at Oregon Sno-Park sites, $25 annually. Day passes are $4. Also valid in California and Idaho Sno-Parks. Consider if you ski regularly or like exploring mountain areas in winter.

• Metro Park Pass: Waives parking fees at 5 parks near Portland: Oxbow and Blue Lake regional parks, Broughton Beach, Chinook Landing Marine Park and M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp. Annually $40 , $30 , $10 . Consider if you visit these specific parks often.

• Site-specific passes: Some sites will require a pass or permit specific to that location only, so its always a good idea to check regulations before you head out. Examples are the seasonal Multnomah Falls, Waterfall Corridor, and Dog Mountain permits in the Columbia Gorge. There are no annual forms of these passes.

Enjoy the trails!

Where To Use The Senior Pass

The Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, National Park Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers honor the Senior Pass at sites where entrance or standard amenity fees are charged.

In addition, the Tennessee Valley Authority may honor the Senior Pass. Visitors are always encouraged to contact the site they plan to visit and inquire about pass acceptance before visiting.

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Free Metro Parking Days 2022

Enjoy free parking at Oxbow and Blue Lake regional parks, Broughton Beach, M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp and Chinook Landing Marine Park on Jan. 1, 17, 20 Feb. 17 and 21 March 17 April 21 May 19 June 16, 19 July 15 Aug. 18 Sept. 15 Oct. 10, 20 Nov. 11, 17 and 25 and Dec. 15

Your Metro parks annual parking pass covers your vehicle parking fee at Oxbow and Blue Lake regional parks, Broughton Beach, Chinook Landing Marine Park and M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp. The pass must be displayed and visible from the rearview mirror of your vehicle.

Purchase an annual parking pass online, over the phone or in person at the Blue Lake or Oxbow regional park offices. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted. Discounts, extensions and refunds are not given in the event of closures due to weather, maintenance and other unforeseen situations.

The pass cannot be replaced, refunded or redeemed for cash.

Us Fish And Wildlife Lands

Many of Washington’s National Wildlife Refuges including Nisqually, Dungeness and Ridgefield NWRs require a recreation pass as well. The fee is usually $3 per family payable at the visitor center or trailhead. They also accept the Interagency Annual, Access and Senior passes, as well as the Federal Duck Stamp pass.

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Replacing A Senior Pass

The Senior Pass is not replaceable if lost or stolen. You can either buy another Senior Pass with proper documentation or pay the applicable entrance or standard amenity fee.

A damaged Senior Pass can be replaced for free at a recreation site as long as identification is provided to validate ownership and a portion of the pass is identifiable. You can also get a replacement card by mail by returning the damaged pass. Replacement by mail requires a processing fee.

Tillamook County Annual Parking Access Pass

Required at several popular destinations, including Cape Kiwanda and the Pacific City Turnaround lot Cost: $55, $45 for disabled veterans, seniors age 65 and over, and Oregon Trail card member good for the calendar year, so be sure to get a 2023 pass.Get it: From set locations in Tillamook and Rockaway Beach, or by calling 503-322-3522 ext. 1.

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The Oregon Coast Passport

Cost: $35

Lasts for: 1 year. There is also an option to purchase a 5-day pass for $10.

How to use it: Passes are interchangeable between vehicles of the same household.

Where to use it: There are 17 parks along the Oregon Coast that honor this pass. Ill go ahead and list them here since there arent too many:

• Ft. Stevens State Park

• Lewis and Clark National Historical Park

• Ecola State Park

• Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area

• Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

• Shore Acres State Park

Is it worth it? There are some wonderful parks on this list, but I decided not to get this pass because there is a lot of overlap with other passes. For instance, Ecola State Park accepts the State Park Pass, Cape Perpetua accepts the NW Forest Pass , and Yaquina Head accepts the America the Beautiful Pass.

If you already have some of the other passes, or if you dont see yourself visiting more than a few of these parks in a year, this annual pass probably isnt worth it. If, however, you dont have the other passes and spend a lot of time at the coast, this pass could be a good choice. Day passes at these sites are generally $5, although some vary, like Yaquina Head that charges $7 for a 3-day pass.

Where to purchase:

• Sent by mail by calling the State Park Info Center

Where to find more information: Find details about the pass here.

Crater Lake National Park accepts the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass

The Oregon State Park Pass

Cost: $30 or $50

Lasts for: 1-2 years depending on whether you buy the $30 or $50 pass.

How to use: Hang decal on the rearview mirror. If you purchase the pass online, it can take several weeks to arrive. There is an option to print a temporary paper pass in the meantime. This pass can be transferred between vehicles.

Where to use it: There are 26 state parks in Oregon that charge a day use fee. I found this pass to be most useful along the Oregon Coast, although there also parks in the Columbia Gorge, near Bend, and in the Willamette Valley that require this pass. These parks often have good amenities like picnic areas.

Like the passes above, the Oregon State Park Pass covers day use fees. Camping fees would be different and you would not need to pay a day use fee if you had paid for camping fees.

It is NOT interchangeable with the NW Forest Pass, Discover Pass, or America the Beautiful Pass. None of those passes are valid for Oregon State Parks.

Where to purchase:

• State Park offices

Where to find more information: To see which parks require this pass, where to purchase, and to purchase online, go here.

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area accepts the Oregon Coast Passport

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