NPS Senior Pass

TexasShadow wrote:
we just went and bought one for DW yesterday. It is now called Senior Pass but any of the other names will suffice. It cost $10.00.
When they run out of forms for new ones, they aren't replacing them.
If you lose your senior pass, they won't replace it. It was suggested that I put a piece of scotch tape over the numbers to help preserve them.

The new one will cost $80.00 PER YEAR... no more lifetime cards.

It is still a lifetime pass. Nothing at the NPS website says it's per year.

H E R E - 3rd Question Down

TexasShadow wrote:
...The new one will cost $80.00 PER YEAR... no more lifetime cards.

Incorrect, it will be $20 per year or $80 for lifetime. After paying $20 per year for four years it can be upgraded to the lifetime pass or pay $80 one time.

It is amazing how many folks dont take the time to find out such stuff. THey just go and pay, which is not a problem and help put more money in the NP coffers, till congress figures out a way to steal it er borrow it, but I still find it interesting..

I was bummed thinking I was going to be able to get my "senior pass" after my birthday on july 31st, and beat the Aug 27th $10 deal. So i got to looking and turns out I will only be 61 this year. :) o well that is fine. $80 is still one h@ll of a deal as we will be full time in 3 yrs and doing a lot of parks out west with entrance fees.

Johno02 wrote:
Having worked as volunteers at several places here the pass either was honored, sold, or both, we were amazed at how many people had no idea that such as thing ever existed. Mine was one of the first things I purchased when I turned old enough. Mine is one of the original "Golden Age Passports" which were replaced by the senior pass. It has been paid for many times over!! One night camping discount more than paid for it.

re $80.00 per year vs lifetime..... I'm only quoting what the campground host who sold me mine .. told me. Hope he was wrong and you are right.

Not disputing what you are saying, but after working at NPS, and selling several hundred passes, AND reading the official documents to the Park center, you are saying almost exactly what I did. And I do, and still have access to, the facts(documents) as given to the vendors, instead of just what is on the internet. If you get it now, its $10, later, its gonna cost $80, or $20 per year. Other than that, I really don't care because I have mine, and DW has one also.

mine says senior pass and has a picture of RED colored cactus flowers
i was 62 or 63, can't remember

i do remember it was a Sept trip to Sequoia where the wife had never been before

I use these two and everybody knows I am a real old f---. And fully entitled to be cranky whenever I feel like it.

What if my wife doesn't have a pass, but I do? She won't be 62 for a long time. (I'm a cradle robber.)

Senior pass allows bearer and all vehicle occupants access, but there is a limit (6 or 8) on how many. Some sites that charge per person only allow discounts for the bearer. And like many other things, it usually depends on the interpetation at each individual site.

My own opinion here: I pass on most, if not all, Senior and Vet discounts because I can afford to pay now. When I was a young, newly married, low wage earning, first home buying, and first child father, I could have used the discounts then. If you can afford an RV and related travel expenses, you don't need the discounts. And the discounts you receive are paid by the young guy I just described above. But, like I said, that's just my opinion. ;)

LS