If you are a US citizen or permanent resident age 62 or older who likes to travel, you will want to purchase a Senior Pass. The Senior Pass allows free access and discounts at National Parks and other federal recreation sites. The official name of the Senior Pass is America the Beautiful, the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. This pass replaced the Golden Age Passport.
General information about the Senior Pass
The Senior Pass is a card available to US citizens and permanent residents who are 62 years of age or older. Provides access to recreation areas managed by six federal agencies, including National Parks. It also offers the pass owner a discount on some service fees, such as camping.
As of August 2017, the cost of a Senior Lifetime Pass is $ 80. An Annual Pass is $ 20. An Annual Pass can be exchanged for a Lifetime Pass if four Annual Passes were purchased in four consecutive years . Annual passes cover two people. Annual passes do not cover additional fees for services (for example, camping).
If you have one of the oldest passports from the Golden Age, know that they are still valid for life and are equivalent to the new Senior Pass. Plastic passports from the Golden Age are valid for life. However, if you want the new Senior Pass, you can buy one with proof of identification (for example, driver’s license, birth certificate, or similar government-issued document). Paper Golden Age passports will be exchanged free of charge for new Senior Passes with proof of identification (eg driver’s license, birth certificate or similar government issued document).
How to get the Senior Pass
To be eligible for a pass, you must be 62 years of age or older and a US citizen or permanent resident. A Senior Pass can be obtained in person at a participating federal recreation site or office. Passes can also be purchased by mail or online at these participating agencies. Additional fees may apply.
- Land Management Office
- Claim Office
- Fish and Wildlife Service
- National park service
- US Army Corps of Engineers
- USDA Forest Service
Purchase a pass online by uploading documentation issued by an authorized US agency proving US citizenship or permanent residence and your date of birth. Acceptable documentation is a driver’s license, passport, green card, U.S. birth certificate, or state-issued identification card.
Purchase a pass by mail and include photocopies of documentation showing your citizenship, permanent residence, and date of birth.
If your pass doesn’t arrive before your trip, purchase a pass when you arrive at the recreation site. After your pass arrives, return it for a refund. Please do not sign it before returning it.
Senior passes are not transferable even between spouses.
How to use the Senior Pass
The Senior Pass admits pass owners and passengers by bicycle or in a non-commercial vehicle in the vehicle fee areas, and the pass owner plus three adults, not to exceed four adults, where per person fees are charged. Children under 16 are always free. Only the vehicle with the pass owner is covered. A second vehicle is subject to an entry fee or must have (or purchase) a second pass. This applies even if you are riding two motorcycles together.
The Senior Pass may also provide the pass owner with a discount on some extended service fees, such as camping, swimming, launching boats, guided tours, transportation systems, and special-use permit fees. Discounts do not apply at bookstores or gift shops.
A photo ID will be required to verify ownership of the pass.
Where the Senior Pass can be used
The Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Recovery, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, National Park Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers honor the Senior Pass at sites where Standard entrance fees or services are charged.
Additionally, the Tennessee Valley Authority may honor the Senior Pass. Visitors are always encouraged to contact the site they plan to visit and ask about pass acceptance before visiting.
Replace a Senior Pass
The Senior Pass is not replaceable in case of loss or theft. You can purchase another Senior Pass with proper documentation or pay the appropriate admission or standard service fees.
A damaged Senior Pass can be replaced free of charge at a recreation site as long as identification is provided to validate ownership and a portion of the pass is identifiable. You can also get a replacement card in the mail by returning the damaged pass. Replacement by mail requires a processing fee.
Additional benefits of the Senior Pass
At many sites, the Senior Lifetime Pass offers the pass owner a discount on fees for additional services (eg camping, swimming, launching boats, guided tours). Annual passes do not cover these services. Ask in the places you plan to visit.
The pass program is administered by six federal agencies that operate under different regulations and have different fees. Therefore, the Senior Pass discount program is not handled the same on all federal recreation lands. The best advice is to always ask locally.
In general, discounts are fulfilled as follows:
- Individual Campgrounds : Discount only applies to the fee for the camp physically occupied by the pass owner, not to any additional campsites occupied by members of the pass owner’s group.
- Campsites with utility connections : If utility rates are charged separately, there is no discount. The discount can be applied if the utility fee is combined (seamlessly) with the camp fee.
- Group Campgrounds and Facilities (including but not limited to group facilities, picnic areas, or pavilions) – There is no discount for group campsites and other group facilities that charge a flat fee. If the group camp has a per person rate, only the pass owner receives a discount; others who use the site pay the full fee.
- Guided Tours : The pass offers discounts on some guided tours. Only the pass owner receives a discount if one is offered.
- Transport systems : consult locally.
- Dealer Fees : Check Locally.
- Special use permits : consult locally.
Since the pass program is administered by six federal agencies operating under different regulations and charging different types of fees, it can be confusing to classify fees and terminology, and distinguish between a “federally managed facility / activity” and a «Concession-facility / managed activity«. Your best bet is to inquire locally about your fare and questions regarding pass acceptance.
Senior Pass does not cover discounts at on-site gift shops or bookstores. The Senior Pass is only valid at participating federal recreation sites.
