National Park rates for seniors to rise
Pass to increase from $10 to $80 beginning in late August
The price of a lifetime senior pass to national parks is going to get a heck of a lot pricier.
In order to meet requirements set by legislation passed by Congress in December 2016, the price of the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Senior Pass will increase from $10 to $80. The Senior Pass has cost $10 since 1994.
The price increase takes effect Aug. 28.
Despite the big jump in price, however, passholders are given lifetime access to more than 2,000 sites and parks.
The fee increase will support critical investments in maintenance projects at national parks and federal recreational lands nationwide.
Previously purchased lifetime Golden Age or Senior Passes will be honored for the lifetime of the pass holder.
Passes can be obtained at a national park or other Federal recreation area, or by mail and online for a $10 processing fee. Citizens, however, should expect long delays for mail and online order processing, the National Parks Service said in a statement.
Legislation requires that the price of the lifetime Senior Pass be the same as the Interagency Annual Pass, which is currently $80.
The Senior Pass covers all entrance fees and standard amenity (day use) fees and may provide senior discounts for things such as tours or campsites.
It can be used at sites managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The pass also waives the entrance fee for travelling companions. At per-vehicle fee sites, the pass admits the pass holder and all passengers in a noncommercial vehicle. At a per-person fee site, the pass admits the pass holder and three other adults. Children under 16 are always admitted free.