Senior Citizens Can Get a Discounted National Park Pass

Above, one of the gateways into Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ten years ago, I turned 62 which qualified me to get a national park lifetime senior pass. At the time, the pass was only $10. It is currently $80, but it is still a bargain if the holder makes use of it. The standard entrance fees for U.S. National Parks range from $15 to $35 per private vehicle.

Conde Nast Traveler has posted an article on the lifetime senior pass and what benefits it gives to the holder. 

They begin it with:

From the jagged red sandstone of the Grand Canyon to the moss-cloaked forests of the Pacific Northwest, the allure of America’s iconic landscapes defies generational divides. Whether you’re a lifelong lover of public lands or a national park newbie, US citizens and residents aged 62 years or older can nab a discounted lifetime pass to travel to over 1,000 federal recreation sites.

Yes, the pass famously covers entrance fees to all 63 national parks, but its true value is in its other great perks and discounts. The pass allows for free entry into all national forests, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service sites, Bureau of Land Management areas, national monuments, and offers discounts on popular campgrounds and more. In short, it’s a one-way ticket to adventure, at a bargain price. Here’s what to know, whether you’re applying for yourself or a loved one.

 

Above, the South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

National Park Service Sued Over Cashless Policies

Above, the South Entrance gate to Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

What part of the U.S. dollar's being "legal tender" does the National Park Service not understand? 

Apparently, several parks (maybe all of them) under the National Park Service are refusing cash from visitors and are only accepting credit or debit cards. This has led to three lawsuits (at this time).

National Parks Traveler reported:

The National Park Service's increasing move to only accept credit cards for entrance to parks has driven three visitors to sue the agency, saying its policy is unreasonable and an abuse of discretion and that federal law states that legal tender is suitable "for all public charges."

Esther van der Werf of Ojai, California, Toby Stover, of High Falls, New York, and Elizabeth Dasburg, of Darien, Georgia, brought the lawsuit [attached below] earlier this month after being told their U.S. currency would not be accepted for entry into Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Tonto National Monument, Saguaro National Park, Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site, and Fort Pulaski National Monument.

"NPS’s violation of federal law cannot be overlooked in favor of any purported benefit NPS cashless could hope to achieve, such as reducing logistics of handling cash collected," reads a section of the lawsuit. "Moreover, there is an increased cost to the NPS in going cashless, such as additional processing fees that will be borne by NPS and by visitors who ultimately fund the federal government through taxes, in addition to personal surcharges and bank fees visitors may incur under NPS cashless policy.

"However, plaintiffs do not ask the court to prohibit NPS from accepting credit cards, debit cards, or digital payment methods (such as ApplePay) should visitors to NPS sites prefer to use them. Rather, plaintiffs ask the court to restore entrance to NPS sites to those who cannot access non-cash payment methods (and those who choose not to) by declaring NPS cashless to be unlawful."

Us "geezers" don't have to worry about this as our national park Senior Pass gets us in without having to pay anything. Still, I agree that the NPS should also accept cash for entry fees.

To read more, go here. 

Crater Lake National Park To Honor Passes From 3 Other Parks

Above, a smoky view of Wizard Island at Crater Lake National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who purchase annual national park passes, this is good news.

Oregon's Crater Lake National Park will start honoring annual passes from three other national parks. 

According to KVAL:

CRATER LAKE, Ore. — The National Park Service announced today that Crater Lake National Park, Lava Beds National Monument, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area will honor each other's annual passes beginning Jan, 1.

This will allow visitors to access all four parks and only have to pay for a single annual pass.

The annual passes will allow visitors unlimited entry for one year to these four National Park Service sites.

The cost will be the same as the current park passes, $55.

To read more, go here.

America The Beautiful and Other Passes

Above, The Watchtower at Grand Canyon National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Along with the National Park Service lifetime senior pass, there are passes available to others that will save money on various fees.

Do It Yourself RV has an article on these passes and information on where people can purchase them online.

They wrote:

If you’re hitting the road this summer, an America The Beautiful Pass could give you some major savings.  These annual passes cover the entrance fees and day-use fees at national parks, forests, grasslands, and wildlife refuges. They can also be used on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The various passes include:

• $80 Annual Passes
• Free Military Annual Passes
• Free Lifetime Access Passes (For visitors with a permanent disability. They charge a $10 document processing fee.)
• Free Annual Passes For Fourth Grade Students (“Every Kid In The Park Pass“)
• Free Volunteer Passes (Awarded to volunteers who spend 250 or more hours on federal recreation sites.)
• $20 Senior Lifetime Passes (62 and older)*

To read more, go here.

*The Senior Lifetime Passes are $10.00, but there is a $10.00 processing fee if purchased online.

National Park Service Offers Free Annual Passes To Military Members

Above, Grand Canyon National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In appreciation for our men and women in uniform and their families, the National Park Service is offering free annual passes.

WSAV-TV reported:

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – As a gesture to honor the work they do and the sacrifices they make, the National Parks Service is offering free annual park passes to military service members and their families.

This offer is also extended to current National Guard and Reserve members and their
dependents.

To read more, go here.