Re: Congressionally Mandated Senior Pass Price Increase to Take Effect on August 28

WASHINGTON – 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 Recreational Lands Senior Pass will increase from $10 to $80. The change will take effect August 28, 2017. Pass holders 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.

The Senior Pass has cost $10 since 1994. Until August 28, U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are 62 years or older can purchase the lifetime Senior Pass for $10. Previously purchased lifetime Golden Age or Senior Passes will be honored for the lifetime of the pass holder.

The Senior Pass 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. Funds from passes are used to enhance the visitor experience and support priority projects and programs.

The pass can be purchased for $10 before August 28 at a national park or other Federal recreation area that charges an entrance or standard amenity (day use) fee. The pass can also be obtained by mail or on line, for $10 before August 28 but there will be an additional $10 charge for processing, for a total of $20. Due to expected high order volume, there could be delays with online and mail order processing of up to several months.

The legislation requires that the price of the lifetime Senior Pass be the same as the Interagency Annual Pass, which is currently $80. The legislation also introduces a new annual Senior Pass that can be purchased for $20. Seniors who purchase annual Senior Passes for four years can trade them in for a lifetime Senior Pass at no additional charge.

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. 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.

I'd just note that back in 2006 I went with a trip with my parents. That was before they changed to the America the Beautiful pass and they called it something else. Those are still valid. However, the one thing I remember about them was that the back said they were valid for Tennessee Valley Authority recreation sites. I guess they have some recreation sites at reservoirs as well as camping and boat launch fees where the pass was valid for 50% off.

Why couldn't they wait till after December 12, 2017 ???? SAD

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lonelugger
Why couldn't they wait till after December 12, 2017 ???? SAD

It was part of a larger bill - the National Parks Centennial Act. However, it affects other agencies that issue passes.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4680

The one thing about purchasing one of these passes is that the money only goes to the agency where you purchased the pass. So if you buy it at a Forest Service fee area, it goes to the Forest Service.

It also looks like the $20 senior annual pass can only be purchased at Forest Service or Interior Dept sites. Says nothing about Army Corps of Engineers, which operates some recreation sites.