National Park Fees

Now that the NPS is back open I plan on getting my Senior Pass next week. The closest park to me to get the pass is 70 miles away.

spacedoutbob wrote:
I think it is age 62 or over to get the Senior Pass.

Bob in Calif.

62 it is. I buy a new one every year. Just seems I can't find it when I go out. Must be an age thing. I consider it my donation to the National Parks which have enriched my life beyond measure.

Edit... Wife just said, "What does it cost to go out dinner,
Disneyland for a day, the theater, movie...?"

Annual pass can be assigned to two people. I bought one last April only to find out a week later when I was hitting several NP's that is a Fee Free week. So since the second signature box was empty I gave it to a close friend of mine so she could use it on her upcoming trip.

I remember the first time I purchased the Pass, I was thinking WOW! I have a long time (38 years) before I can qualify for the Golden Age Pass, Now, it is less than 2 years away. I guess that is one advantage of getting old.

Bob in Calif.

Heard about this pass before, never paid attention. My big mistake (out of hundreds while camping). 50 pc. off camping, yoo hoo. Been on Soc. Sec. Disability for 2 years, out of work for 3. Free pass, 1/2 off camping. Pack the bags honey, lets go south.

Check out the entrance fees for the parks you will visit and add them up. Easy, peasy! :)

Don't forget the National Park pass includes fees for the National Forest also. When I take a long trip and know I will be paying at least 25% of the pass cost, I go ahead and get it for convenience.

Instead of leaving the pass on my dash as recommended, I write the pass number on the envelope and deposit it. Then leave the stub on my dash as usual just as if I had paid cash. That way it's one less thing I have to worry about in my vehicle.

Eurocamper wrote:

This may or may not work for you.

National Parks will only upgrade entrance fees to a National Parks pass within 7 days of the original entry receipt purchase date.

Receipts from other land management agencies (Forest Service, BLM, Fish and Wildlife, Reclamation) do not count towards buying an annual pass.

Thanks for telling that.

12. If I visited a Federal recreation site and paid the entrance or use fee and I have the receipt, can I trade in the receipt and pay the difference to upgrade to an Annual Pass?

I apologize for not checking to see if the rules had changed.

HTH;
John

full_mosey wrote:

caysea7254 wrote:
Is it wise to buy an annual National Park pass if we are going to visit like 3-5 national parks in 2weeks? Thanks Tara

The correct answer is to pay the entry fees until you accumulate $80. That way you never pay more than $80.

Say you have $65 in accumulated receipts and the next park charges $20. You show the receipts, pay $15 AND get the pass!

HTH;
John

This may or may not work for you.

National Parks will only upgrade entrance fees to a National Parks pass within 7 days of the original entry receipt purchase date.

Receipts from other land management agencies (Forest Service, BLM, Fish and Wildlife, Reclamation) do not count towards buying an annual pass.

We lived in Estes Park; right next to Rocky Mtn NP. As the gate opened on my 62 birthday I was first in line. Been using the pass ever since at lots of NP's. However, most of them have a donation box in the Visitor Center and we make a contribution.