The best bargain in Federal lands, the $10 Lifetime National Parks Pass
offered to seniors since 1994, will be headed the way of countless other park service amenities
with a price hike later this month.
America the Beautiful Senior Pass, which has offered anyone 62 years of age
or older lifetime entrance to National Parks and other federal recreation sites for just $10,
will jump up to the regular $80 price point beginning August 28. It will remain a lifetime
pass. A new $10 senior annual pass will also be available.
The price change follows Congressional legislation passed in 2016, in
preparation for the NPS centennial, explicitly outlining the pricing change. According to
the park service, the fee change will support park maintenance and other budget concerns.
Last year the agency sold more than 662,000 Senior Passes. Seniors have until August 27
to purchase the pass while it remains at $10, at any national park or federal recreation site.
So, this is a courtesy heads-up if you're age is 62-plus. The pass can be
purchased locally at the BLM office in Barstow on Barstow Road across from the college. A
pictured ID with proof of age is required.
The Senior Pass is a lifetime pass available to United States citizens or
permanent residents 62 years of age or older. The Pass can be used at over 2000 Federal
recreation sites across the nation, including National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and
many National Forest lands.
The Senior Pass admits the Pass owner and any passengers traveling with him/her
in a single non-commercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas or the Pass owner and three additional
adults where per-person fees are charged.
The Senior Pass may also offer a discount on some expanded amenity fees, such
as camping. Discounts offered by the Pass vary widely across the many different types of
recreation sites. Pass owners are encouraged to check with sites they plan to visit before
obtaining a pass to verify that their Pass will be accepted. Anytime a Pass is used, photo
identification may be requested to verify Pass ownership.
About your Senior Pass
- $10 Lifetime pass
- For U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over.
- May be obtained in person at a federal recreation site or through the mail using the application form.
- 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.
- Photo identification may be required to verify ownership.
- Passes are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and
cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.
- The cost of obtaining a Senior Pass through the mail is twenty dollars ($20).
Ten ($10) for the Senior Pass and ten ($10) for processing the application. Applicants
must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship. You can order through
the mail by submitting a Paper Application to the USGS using the paper application and enclosing the same documents and $20 fee.
- May provide a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services
- Generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners.
Story contributors, R. Wichelns, T. Stimpfel, USGS.
