federal senior passes

We got ours at the southern gate to the Grand Canyon. They would only issue one pass per entrance transaction, so my wife got her's when we went back the second day instead of using mine to get in. Since the park entrance was good for a week, we didn't get to use one of them again until we stayed at Midway NPS campground on the Tamiami Trail in southern Florida. $12 per night there more than paid for them though.

The NPS website under Senior Pass has a list of parks that sell the pass. It is $10 if you do it in person. It is more if you order it on the website. It was simple to get. Walk up to the desk, ask for it, fill in about three lines on a form, show an ID with your age (62 and older), and pay the money. You are just handed the card. Your name is not on the card. If you lose it you must buy it again. It is good for four people accompanying you. Really incredible if you think about it. It was the first tangible thing I ever got back from my tax dollars. I got it at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site.

Got mine at Assateague Island National Seashore.

Golden_HVAC wrote:
Crater Lake National Park is the only place in Oregon that requires the pass and you can get it at the entrance station of most NP's.

You can also use it in other locations, but that I think is the only place in Oregon that is a National Park.

It might be easier to buy one in Washington or a NP in California.

Back in the 90's the pass was free. Now they charge a nominal fee, less than $25. If you have a full time handicap card, you can get a Golden Access card for free. It offers the same benefits, without charge to get one.

Fred.

we used our geezer card at fort Clatsop, at a lighthouse park at Newport and forest service campgrounds all in Oregon.

We got ours at the local National Park. And the reason I said we, is that our last trip to Florida, Juniper Springs Recreation Area is that while I have a Geezer Pass, the DW didn't. I got in for 1/2 price and she had to pay full price. But while in St Augustine and visiting various forts, we both got in for nothing. In other words actual mileage may vary from park to park. Also any veteran having a valid VA ID card, Military card or even their DD214 can get the pass for free, if applied for in person, not sure about on line requests.

Got mine at the visitor's center/park souvenir store in Death Valley, but they also sell them at the campground office (such as it is) at the Otter Creek Campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I have seen them being issued at park entrances many times. So they are widely available, and as others have said, Greatest Bargain On Earth.

I've camped many nights in National Park and COE campgrounds for $8 a night or $9 with electric only. Free admission to parks that charge admission alone makes it a great bargain.

wbwood wrote:
Didn't I read that you can use them at COE campgrounds? I believe it said they don't issue them because they were not included in something about 10 years ago, but accept them.

This is truly a good thing for those that full time. Being able to spend no more than around $10/night is a real savings. Just gotta move every couple weeks. Not bad at all.

It is true. We use ours at COE campgrounds all the time.

You get a great campground and a 50% discount also! Hard to beat.

Didn't I read that you can use them at COE campgrounds? I believe it said they don't issue them because they were not included in something about 10 years ago, but accept them.

This is truly a good thing for those that full time. Being able to spend no more than around $10/night is a real savings. Just gotta move every couple weeks. Not bad at all.

At Mount Rushmore, it gets you into the park free, but you get to pay for parking. It's still a great deal.

Got my Geezer Pass at the Beaver Meadows entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. I've used it at USFS campgrounds in the area, getting half price on the site (but still full price on electric - $6). And just last night I made reservations for next weekend for Glacier Basin CG inside RMNP -- $20 for 2 nights! Now THAT is a savings, particularly considering what the commercial CG/RV parks in Estes Park charge.

I did find out, however, that there are some National Parks where there are limits on the card. For example, at Wind Cave NP and Jewel Cave NM in South Dakota, admission is free to all to get into the park, but the tours of the respective caves have a tour fee. The Senior Pass gets the holder a half price discount, but any other members of your party must pay the full tour price, depending on the tour selected.

Still, it's one of the best values available to us oldsters!