Natl Parks & Sr Pass

[Mountain_Mama]

I know that we can use our Sr Pass to get in free at Natl parks. We are going to Yellowstone & Tetons for 2 weeks. I understand that we can get a pass for 7 days. Just to make sure I know what to do, I'm asking my questions. At the end of our 7 days we just need to go to an entrance & get an additional 7 day pass? There's no problem doing so? Am i understanding correctly that we can get a 7 day pass? TIA!

[BubbaChris]

There is also a version for people of any age with a permanent disability - the Access Pass.

Somebody I know was confused when using Recreation.gov and checked the tic-box for Access Pass (instead of Annual Pass) and got lots of discounted camping last year. I (oops, he) didn't get busted until visiting Zion and they asked to confirm the type of pass I was using (and charged me the difference).

One of those cases where making the name too neutral led to this poor chap being confused during his rookie year of camping.

[2gypsies1]

...don't forget national forest campgrounds. We've found that even concessioner campgrounds accept the pass. . . probably not all inclusive but the ones we used certainly did.

[enblethen]

There is a list on the NPS website of all the locales that accept the Senior Pass.

[bukhrn]

jmckelvy wrote:

enblethen wrote:
Most national parks, Forest service and Corp of Engineers parks take the senior pass. It is also useful at historical locations.
Best money I spent!

BLM campgrounds honor it also. That will be the best $10 you will ever spend. We have saved literally hundreds of dollars since I got mine 6 years ago.

Along with TVA.

[jalichty]

We got our first senior pass about 8 years ago at Lake Powell, which is a National Recreation Area, but allows the use of the senior pass. My wife got one about three years later, yeh she's a lot younger than I, and when we go to the gates, she usually pulls hers out along with her driver's license to give to the attendant as she prefers I pay attention to my driving. Has worked every time at the gates. And, they are not "good" for seven days, they are "good" 365 days a year, 24/7. We usually spend about three weeks in and around Grand Teton National Park and this senior pass has saved us a ton of money, $20 or so every time we enter the first time, and about $12 a night camping, so for 21 days using the senior pass this past year we saved a bit over $300 on entrance and camping fees. However, we didn't use the RV park with FHU as they don't give much, if any, discount for the senior pass. Best bargain ever received from Uncle Sam, bar none.

[jmckelvy]

enblethen wrote:
Most national parks, Forest service and Corp of Engineers parks take the senior pass. It is also useful at historical locations.
Best money I spent!

BLM campgrounds honor it also. That will be the best $10 you will ever spend. We have saved literally hundreds of dollars since I got mine 6 years ago.

[bee_46]

You cannot use the senior pass for concessions within the National Parks. Trailer Village in the Grand Canyon and Fishing Bridge RV Park in Yellowstone are not eligible for campground discounts as they are run by outside concessions. Also the parking at Mt. Rushmore is run by a concession so the pass does not work there.

We have used our passes to get our children and grandchildren into National Parks with us. I believe the pass covers 4 people, the holder and three others. Both DH and I have a pass so we can take 6 additional people with us.

[bobjogone]

If there is an entrance gate, you generally just have to show it at gate. Other places that require a fee for parking but no entrance gate, you leave it on the dash or hangtag.

[NCWriter]

Mountain Mama wrote:

Yes it covers all in your vehicle. We will get a second one when I turne 62 also just for a backup!

We did the same just in case one gets misplaced. And you never know when the program rules will change or how your own life situation might be altered. For $10, can't hurt to have it.

The geezer pass saved us more than $200 very quickly in admissions to parks like Yellowstone and for camping fees discounted.

But (whisper) don't tell Congress it exists.

[jfkmk]

The sr pass is the best thing since sliced bread. We traveled with my parents to AZ in December. The sr pass got us into all the national parks as well as parking all around Sedona for free. Of course, it'll probably be gone by the time I'm of age.

[Mountain_Mama]

Rangerider wrote:
IIRC it's good for anybody in the vehicle you are in. I have gotten in with family members and friends in the car. If your "little" brother and his family are behind you in his car he may be out of luck 🙂

Yes it covers all in your vehicle. We will get a second one when I turne 62 also just for a backup!

[popeyemth]

Thanks very much !
Now if I can just get her to admit her age ......

[Rangerider]

IIRC it's good for anybody in the vehicle you are in. I have gotten in with family members and friends in the car. If your "little" brother and his family are behind you in his car he may be out of luck 🙂

[enblethen]

Yes, your wife's pass will cover you.