Bill in Congress to increase Senior park pass to $80

agesilaus wrote:
If the NPS would stop wasting the money that they do have $2,500,000,000 a year they would be a lot more successful. They need to stop buying more land and concentrate on the properties that they already own: waste

Poor management at best, but more likely criminal behavior. The ineptitude at high levels is rampant.

RoyB wrote:
The senior pass gets me into the Natl; Parks for free and then I also enjoy getting the camp ground fees at a 50% discount...

Fun while it all lasted I guess...

Roy Ken

I see no proposed change to the benefits you get with your senior pass.
If you didn't already have one, then purchasing one would cost you $70 more, but it still entitles you to the same benefits as it always did.

I'm retired USFS and was a recreation program manager and so am very familiar with the program.

In fact, the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act(FLREA) which the Senior Pass is a part of, brought in about $1 million extra dollar per year for the program on just one national forest. This went to hiring additional recreation rangers, trail construction and maintenance, recreation equipment purchases, installing solar pumps on the campground wells, upgrading campgrounds, etc. This is work that could never have been done without the additional funds brought in through the Recreation Enhancement Act.

It used to be that all the money collected through recreation fees went right back to the general federal treasury in Wash. D.C. to be spent on whatever programs Congress decided. Now with FLREA 80% of funds are retained on the unit that generated the funds to help manage the program. The remaining 20% of funds go to a USFS regional account to help recreation programs on federal lands where they don't generate a lot of funds

While I already have my geezer pass, I wouldn't have a problem if they increased the lifetime fee to $80. The pass would still be a huge bargain at that price. I easily put that much money into my gas tank for the privilege of one day's drive on the interstate while pulling my travel trailer. And the National Parks and National Forests are WAY more scenic and enjoyable than the superhighway. :)

This has been a very nice token of appreciation to seniors and I sure hope they don't do away with it entirely, even if they do increase the price.

If the NPS would stop wasting the money that they do have $2,500,000,000 a year they would be a lot more successful. They need to stop buying more land and concentrate on the properties that they already own: waste

lbrjet wrote:
It is as simple as discounting the current $80 pass to $20 for seniors. No additional administrative work required.

Not true.
The senior pass has many benefits that the America the Beautiful Pass does not.
The annual pass gets you free entry into federal sites that charge an entrance fee (these are known as standard amenity fees). But it does not provide any discount on expanded amenity fees, such as camping. The Senior pass covers standard amenity fees as well as providing a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires.

More info here: Clicky

When we got our Senior Pass, we realized what an incredible bargain it was. With the current funding for the Parks,now I feel kind of guilty using it.

I have read stories, hopefully untrue, that the Parks might sell naming rights to commercial enterprises. I hope I don't see the day when Yosemite Falls gets renamed Walmart Falls.

Makes me glad I got mine 3 years ago still at the $10.00 rate.

I'll keep my free pass as a disabled veteran. I'm not old enough for the senior pass yet.

obgraham wrote:
I too have the $10 lifetime pass, but I'll admit, it made no economic sense for the govt to sell it to me at that rate just because I'm a geezer.

I agree - buying one was the first thing I did when I turned 62. In my case, it saves me the $5 day-use fee to park in a Fed operated river access site while kayaking (in addition to all the other perks). I would have gladly paid much more for it - as a matter of fact, having a clean vault toilet available at the end of a 4-hour paddle is worth a fortune alone! ;-)

RoyB wrote:
The senior pass gets me into the Natl; Parks for free and then I also enjoy getting the camp ground fees at a 50 percent discount...

Fun while it all lasted I guess...

Roy Ken

If this bill passes, which I think is doubtful, if you already have a pass it will remain good.