Fulltiming with the Senior Pass

[Pamelajo]

We've been fulltiming for about a year and a half and my husband just got his Senior Pass. I'm particularly excited about this. We really prefer public campgrounds over private and I think this will open up a whole new aspect to this already great lifestyle.

I just wanted to start this thread to get some feedback on how other fulltimers use their pass. Any favorite campgrounds? Anybody use their pass almost exclusively-just going from one federal campground to the next? Any tips, suggestions or stories would be greatly appreciated!

We're going to be doing a quick trip back East soon through Kansas, Missouri, etc., taking mostly Route 50 and then 70 through Indiana, Ohio, etc so if you know of anything we should check out along that route that would be great, too.

[JesLookin]

Dog Folks wrote:

dewey02 wrote:

path1 wrote:
We are about to buy another. We have wives in rv glovebox of RVand we'll go somewhere in another car and forget to bring it with us and have to pay full price.

Last time at Mt Rainier a younger guy at the gate said to wife (smiling) "If it wasn't so busy I'd ask for more ID, I don't see how you could get one of those."

Wife wanted to bring him along!!!

How many wives can you fit in your RV glovebox?:)

Depends on how well you can fold. :B

Yeah, but can you get them folded back the same way after they've been unfolded?:B

[Dog_Folks]

dewey02 wrote:

path1 wrote:
We are about to buy another. We have wives in rv glovebox of RVand we'll go somewhere in another car and forget to bring it with us and have to pay full price.

Last time at Mt Rainier a younger guy at the gate said to wife (smiling) "If it wasn't so busy I'd ask for more ID, I don't see how you could get one of those."

Wife wanted to bring him along!!!

How many wives can you fit in your RV glovebox?:)

Depends on how well you can fold. :B

[dewey02]

path1 wrote:
We are about to buy another. We have wives in rv glovebox of RVand we'll go somewhere in another car and forget to bring it with us and have to pay full price.

Last time at Mt Rainier a younger guy at the gate said to wife (smiling) "If it wasn't so busy I'd ask for more ID, I don't see how you could get one of those."

Wife wanted to bring him along!!!

How many wives can you fit in your RV glovebox?:)

[Mountain_Mama]

Pamelajo wrote:

Mountain Mama wrote:
I started this post a while back ... it might be of some help to you!
Favorite COE park

Wow, that's exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks!

You're welcome! Hopefully some others will add to it. I go thru my Camping with COE book & mark the ones mentioned!

[NCWriter]

As far as the concessioner campgrounds in parks, it's a mixed bag. I recall that at Mesa Verde, we lucked into one of the few sites with electric, but no senior discount on those. I believe Fishing Bridge (full hookups) is the only park inside Yellowstone that doesm't give a discount. Grand Teton Colter Bay RV Park (full hookups) gives seniors $54 rate instead of $65.

So you never know until you inquire. Nice when the websites spell it out.

We've saved hundreds of dollars over the past four years with the pass.

[Pamelajo]

NCWriter wrote:


Another COE campground I'd recommend is Riana Lake in Abiquiu, New Mexico (I learned about it here.) At half price with the Senior Pass, $8, it's a great deal. Clean, large sites, some with water & electric, bathrooms with showers. The best thing is the view of Cerro Pedernal, the mountain that Georgia O'Keeffe painted numerous times. You can tour her houses in Abiquiu and at Ghost Ranch, where the rock scenery is gorgeous. We were there in October - a lot of art gallery tours in that area every weekend.

That one is very high on our list to check out. We both love Abiquiu and Ghost Ranch but we've never stayed there, just passed through on a day trip. I can't wait to spend more time there and that park looks wonderful. Thanks!

[Pamelajo]

In the spirit of sharing good finds, we found a campground this spring that takes the Senior Pass (1/2 price on campsite) that we really loved. It's Valley of Fires Recreation Area in Carrizozo, N.M.

The campground is situated overlooking a lava field and there is a great paved pathway through the field. We came in on a Wednesday in late spring and had the place to ourselves until the weekend. Even then, it wasn't a loud, party crowd and the spaces are far enough apart you still had privacy. There were lots of day trip possibilities in the area. We went to the Smoky Bear Museum in Capitan one day and the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site another day.

[Pamelajo]

Thanks for all the great responses! I really appreciate the links, too. So far, I've mostly used Ultimate Campgrounds to try to find sites that would take the pass but that site can be overwhelming. It's great, but there are so many sites that aren't relevant, it's hard to weed through them all.

Does anyone know of any blogs where the people spend a lot of time in these types of parks? It seems that most of the blogs I follow are either boondockers or the other extreme with people only staying in private parks.

We're really trying to find a middle way-parks with lots of nature and privacy but a few amenities like electricity and access to water and a dump station. We spent a lot of time our first year in New Mexico because we found that great mix there but I think the Senior Pass can help us find that in other states, too.

Anyway...thanks again for all the great tips and suggestions. Keep them coming. If you tell me your favorite park, I promise not to tell anyone else. 🙂

[SCR]

Pamelajo wrote:
We've been fulltiming for about a year and a half and my husband just got his Senior Pass. I'm particularly excited about this. We really prefer public campgrounds over private and I think this will open up a whole new aspect to this already great lifestyle.

I just wanted to start this thread to get some feedback on how other fulltimers use their pass. Any favorite campgrounds? Anybody use their pass almost exclusively-just going from one federal campground to the next? Any tips, suggestions or stories would be greatly appreciated!

We're going to be doing a quick trip back East soon through Kansas, Missouri, etc., taking mostly Route 50 and then 70 through Indiana, Ohio, etc so if you know of anything we should check out along that route that would be great, too.

This book is the best I've found for the Corps Of Engineers. Well worth the cost. Camping With The Corps of Engineers

[2gypsies1]

We've always gotten 1/2 off camp fees - even concessionier-run parks. Please note, however, that if the site has electric, you usually will pay for that portion. We're in a lovely Colorado national forest campground right now run by concessioniers and we got 1/2 off their $18.00 fee. $9/night is a bargain. We'll be here 10 nights.

Public parks are always our first choice and not because of the discount. We just love the big spaces surrounding by nature and not having to look at a RV 3' away from us. Not having hookups is no big deal. All RVs are self-contained.

[liveneasy]

Tom N wrote:
Read the back of your America the Beautiful Senior Pass card.

NOT covered: camping, tours, special recreation permit fees, etc.

Camping fees are not covered???

... but, it's the part that reads: "MAY entitle holder to 50% discount on certain fees." ... that gets me/and others lots of 50% camping discounts at the various campgrounds, including many State parks.

[Dog_Folks]

My America the Beautiful Access pass, (disabled,) says it is good for entry fees, and "MAY entitle pass holder to some discounts. INQUIRE LOCALLY"


We have alwyas received 50% off camping fees, EXCEPT where the area is operated by a private vendor. In that case, the discount may be from 0 to 50%.

[amandasgramma]

camping = discounts (MAYBE -- check their website)
Natl Parks = Free admission for you and 3 other people (in same car)

[jorbill2or]

You get a discount not free .. Free admission to the park only isn't it ?