Senior National Park Lifetime Pass

Whats Included In The National Parks Senior Pass

Both the Annual and Lifetime Senior Pass allow access to over 2,000 national parks, national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and national forests and grasslands. Many of these sites will include their own visitor centers, where you can spend an afternoon browsing interesting artifacts and educational materials.

FYI: Most national parks contain visitor centers where, in addition to brochures and exhibits, you can find naturalists and park rangers who can help you plan your drive or excursion through nature.

Additionally, both passes include the added bonus of a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees, such as camping or guided tours. At Yosemite National Park, for example, senior pass holders may reserve a campsite for as low as $15 dollars .

These discounts vary by location, so be sure to ask at the entrance gate or visitor center if your pass discount applies when making purchases and reservations.

Getting The National Park Senior Lifetime Pass

In order to apply for the lifetime pass for seniors, youll need to be a US citizen or permanent resident aged 62 and over. Youll need to provide proof of these during the application process, which will cost $80.

There are several ways to buy the senior pass. You can buy it from a federal recreation site in person, buy it online, or buy it through the mail via an application form. However, there is an additional fee of $10 for passes that you buy online or through the mail.

Is A National Park Pass For Seniors Worth It

Getting outdoors and staying active are essential activities for seniors. Getting a national park pass for seniors makes it easy and affordable to do both while enjoying some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the country. With more than 2,000 locations, youll have no trouble finding a place to use your pass. If you plan to visit multiple sites, the pass can pay for itself in no time! We think its an excellent investment or gift for a loved one! Which national park will you visit first?

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Veterans Gold Star Families Get Free Lifetime Pass To National Parks Wildlife Refuges Other Public Lands

New pass provides free lifetime access and waived recreation fees for Veterans

On Veterans Day 2022, the National Park Service will unveil a lifetime pass providing free entrance to national parks for Veterans and their families. The Interagency Military Lifetime Pass waives entrance fees for the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and standard amenity recreation fees for the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites for current military service members and their dependents, Veterans and Gold Star Families.

Veterans and their families have free access to approximately 2,000 public locations spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, which host activities to fit any lifestylefrom serene to high octane, including hiking, fishing, paddling, biking, hunting, stargazing, camping, and much more.

The Military Pass has been expanded to include a pass that does not expire for Veterans and Gold Star Family members. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 authorized a free lifetime pass to national parks and other federal recreational lands for eligible Veterans and Gold Star Families. In recent years, they were able to receive annual passes.

What Are The National Parks Senior Pass Benefits

The Senior Passes admit pass owner/s and passengers in a noncommercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas and pass owners plus three adults, not to exceed four adults, where per-person fees are charged.

So if the entrance fee is based on the vehicle everybody inside gets in free but if the entrance fee is based on a per person basis, only a total of four adults will get in free.

Also, at many sites, the Senior Passes provide the pass owner a discount on things like camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours.

In general discounts are honored as follows:

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General Information About The Senior Pass

The Senior Pass is a card available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents aged 62 years and older. It provides access to recreation areas managed by six federal agencies, including National Parks. It also provides the pass owner a discount on some amenity fees, such as camping.

As of August 2017, the cost of a lifetime Senior Pass is $80. An annual pass is $20. A yearly pass can be traded for a lifetime pass if four annual passes were purchased in four consecutive years. Annual passes cover two people. Yearly passes do not cover expanded amenity fees .

If you have one of the older Golden Age Passports, know that they are still valid for a lifetime and are equivalent to the new Senior Pass. Plastic Golden Age Passports are good for a lifetime. However, if you want the new Senior Pass, you may purchase one with proof of identification . Paper Golden Age Passports will be exchanged free for the new Senior Passes with proof of identification .

Benefits Of A National Parks Senior Pass

There are a lot of unexpected benefits to your senior pass membership. Not only do you gain free entry into all of the National Parks and federal recreation areas, but there are added benefits as well.

• Travel companions also enter for free with your pass
• All owner/s and passengers in a vehicle are free
• Camping, swimming, boat launch, and guided tour fees waived in some locations
• Covers all entrance and standard amenity fees
• Discounts on some recreational activities or programs

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Obtaining A Senior Pass

The pass can be obtained in person at most federally operated recreation areas, online, or through the mail using the application form. There is a one-time processing charge and proof of age must be supplied.

Learn moreabout the national park service and locate parks and recreation areas throughout the country.

Annual Entrance Pass Options

Individual Annual Entrance Pass – $60, plus tax.

• The Individual Annual Entrance Pass provides day-use park entry for a single, named passholder.
• Additional people accompanying the passholder are admitted at $2 per person, except at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, where the standard admission fee applies.
• The named passholder must be present to use this pass.

Family Annual Entrance Pass – $120, plus tax.

• The Family Annual Entrance Pass provides day-use park entry for up to a total of eight people entering as a group,* except at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, where the family pass is good for admission of up to two people, including the passholder. The Family Annual Entrance Pass provides a 33% discount at Skyway Fishing Pier State Park.

*A group is defined as:

• All the occupants of one vehicle , including the passholder.
• Up to two motorcycles, including the passholder.
• Up to a total of eight people entering on foot or bicycles, including the passholder.

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America The Beautiful Pass

A pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A pass covers entrance, standard amenity fees and day use fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas . Children age 15 or under are admitted free.

• OnlineBuy now from the USGS store!

Can You Enter Yosemite For Free

There is no fee to enter Yosemite National Park however, there is a fee for camping, lodging, and activities within the park.

Visitors to Yosemite are not required to stand in line at all times. The park is usually closed to the public at night, so no one will be able to collect your money. Unless you plan to leave at midnight, you must pay when you leave Yosemite because the park service checks for passes/receipts. There are several trails that lead into the park that are not part of the Interstate Trail system. Trash pick-up is encouraged at the Yosemite Climbing Associationâs annual Yosemite Facelift event. If you live west of the park in Merced, Mariposa, Catheys Valley, or El Portal, you must purchase a bus ticket.

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Where Can I Use My Senior Pass

Please contact a site directly if you have a question about pass acceptance and fees.

The Forest Service, the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, USACE, and Bureau of Reclamation honor the Senior Pass at sites where Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee are charged.

In addition, the Tennessee Valley Authority may honor the Senior Pass for entrance or camping discounts.

• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation
• Fish and Wildlife Service
• USDA Forest Service
• US Army Corps of Engineers

Everything You Need To Know About The National Parks Senior Pass

If you love adventure and getting outdoors, the National Parks Senior Pass may be just for you. For individuals over age 62, you can apply for an annual pass that grants you access to national parks at a discounted rate. And for true outdoor enthusiasts, the National Park Senior Citizen Lifetime Pass offers lasting value.

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Where Can I Purchase A Lifetime Senior Pass

• In person- Seniors interested in purchasing a Lifetime Senior Pass can purchase one at any national park federal recreation site. for a full list of federal recreation sites that issue these passes.

• Online- Seniors can also purchase the Lifetime Senior Pass or an Annual Senior Pass online through the USGS store.

• Mail- For the more old-fashioned individuals, the pass can also be purchased through the mail. A specific application form will be needed to do so.

~ Overview Of The Senior Pass ~

1. Where can I get a Senior Pass?

You can buy a Senior Pass in person from a participating Federal recreation site or office. See Site Locations that issue the Senior Pass .

You can buy a Senior Pass via mail order from USGS. Mail-order applicants must submit a completed application, proof of residency and age, the $90.00 . Once the application package is received the documentation will be verified and a pass, with the pass owners name pre-printed on it, will be issued to the applicant.

2. What is the Senior Pass?

A $80.00 lifetime pass that provides access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies, with up to 100% of the proceeds being used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.

For Seniors on a fixed budget the Department of Interior has created a Senior Annual Pass. The cost for the pass is $ 20.00 and it is good for one year from the date of purchase in all Federal Recreation Areas.

At many sites the Senior Pass provides the pass owner a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees .

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How To Get A Free National Parks Pass

To get a free pass for National Parks, the individual must have a diagnosed permanent disability. If you have someone in your family who is dealing with this issue, then there are a few ways you can get it. You can go to a National Park Service location and request for it personally.

But before you visit one of those National Parks Service locations, you have to ensure that you bring the documentation that will be needed for applying for it. It will either have a note from a doctor or notice that you have Social Security Disability Insurance income.

If you want you can also apply via the email. But this option is not ideal if you want your pass within 15 days. So, the pass that youre applying for is termed as an Access Pass.

Senior Military Access Or Other Passes

Senior, Military or Access Passes require additional verification steps. Weve outlined the details of these passes below:

Purchase at Entrance

Available at most National Park Entrance Stations. Call park or federally managed land to confirm availability. List of all federal recreation sites

• For U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over.
• May be obtained in person at a federal recreation site.
• Provides entrance or access to pass owner and accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle at Federal operated recreation sites across the country.
• Passes are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.

Purchase at Entrance

Available at most National Park Entrance Stations. Call park or federally managed land to confirm availability. List of all federal recreation sites

• For U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over.
• May be obtained in person at a federal recreation site.
• Provides entrance or access to pass owner and accompanying passengers in a single, private, non-commercial vehicle at Federal operated recreation sites across the country.
• Passes are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen

Purchase at Entrance

Available at most National Park Entrance Stations. Call local office of park or federally managed land to confirm availability. Must have documentation of permanent disability. List of all federal recreation sites

Purchase at Entrance

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Including The Benefits Cost And How To Obtain One

Cavan Images/Getty Images

The National Park Service has created a variety of passes, both annual and lifetime, to encourage Americans to visit national parks, monuments, and federal recreational lands. The passes are honored at sites managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the National Park Service.

A series of passes, including the Senior Pass, all come under the heading of America the Beautiful the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. Also referred to as Interagency Passes, they can be obtained at a wide range of federal recreation areas or through the USGS online store.

The Senior Pass can be purchased as a lifetime pass with no expiration date or as an annual pass, which costs less. The annual fee increased in 1987, raising the cost of a lifetime pass from $10 to $80. The legislation also provided for the annual pass at a lower cost. Here are some key details on the Senior Pass.

Qualifications: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, as well as 62 years or older. Documentation of age and residency or citizenship are required.

Cost: $80 for a lifetime Senior Pass $20 for an annual Senior Pass.

Terms: The lifetime Senior Pass does not expire, while the annual Senior Pass is valid for 12 months from the month of purchase. Golden Age Passports have been replaced by the Senior Pass, and they continue to be honored.

America The Beautiful Military Pass

Last but not least, the free America the Beautiful Military Pass is available to active duty service members and veterans of the US Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves. Its also available to Gold Star Families who have lost a family member in the line of duty.

Accepted documentation for this pass includes a Department of Defense identification card, a veteran health identification card or a veteran ID card. A veteran designation on a state issued US drivers license or identification card is also accepted.

Gold Star Families can self-certify that they meet the required criteria by downloading and signing a voucher at . Once they arrive at the park they can exchange the voucher for an America the Beautiful Military Pass.

So plan ahead, and pack along the right documentation to get your national park pass.

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What Is Covered By The Free Access Program

The voucher covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands and on lands managed by the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and US Army Corps of Engineers.

Castillo De San Marcos National Monument Florida

Nestled in St. Augustine, considered to be the oldest city in the U.S., Castillo de San Marcos is home to a 17th-century Spanish fort with connections to the American Revolution. Enjoy the natural appeal of the bordering Matanzas Bay and semi-tropical weather while admiring priceless artifacts and stone-work.

Virtual Exploration: You can visit the National Park Service website to virtually explore an array of parks via live webcams and photo galleries. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with possible destinations or to prepare for an upcoming trip.

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What Is The Senior Pass

The $80.00 lifetime and $20 Annual Senior Passes provide admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six Federal agencies, with up to 100% of the proceeds being used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.

At many sites the Senior Pass provides the pass owner a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees .