Save Big with the National Park Service Senior Pass

62 or older? Save with the NPS Senior Pass!

Many years ago, my husband purchased an America the Beautiful (Senior) Park Lifetime Pass for only $10.  We definitely got our money’s worth with free admission to many National Parks and then ½ price camping at many COE (Corp of Engineer Parks). In 2017 the cost of the pass went up to $80 but if you visit National Parks and/or camp it is still a great deal!  I recently also found out if you don’t want to commit to $80 up front you can buy a $20 annual pass good for one full year from the date of purchase.  Keep the passes and then four annual senior park passes can be traded in for a lifetime pass.

So, what does a Senior Pass get you?

• Free admission to national parks that charge a fee (118)
• The pass also covers entrance and day-use fees and at over 2000 recreation sites managed by the following federal agencies:
  • National Park Service
  • US Fish & Wildlife Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • Bureau of Reclamation
  • US Forest Service
  • US Army Corps of Engineers (COE)
• The pass also admits for free an additional 3 adults traveling in the same vehicle (in per-vehicle) fee areas.
• The pass also provides discounts on some expanded amenity recreation fees like campgrounds.

Campground discounts. We stay at many COE park campgrounds which are usually on a lake centered around water recreation. Almost all have water and electric (some only 30 amp) and some have full hook-ups.  For those that don’t have full hook-ups they do have a dump. They also have showers and bathrooms.  They do have a limit that you can only stay for 14 days.  Usually spaces are spread-out.  Most parks are very well maintained while others aren’t but overall we’ve been very happy. Plus think of the savings:

If a park's regular price is $30 and you stay for 14 days at ½ price you save $210.  One two week stay and you’ve covered the cost of the annual park pass. Plus, we’ve found many parks that are $20/$10 with the discount or even as low as $7 including the discount.

For more on COE parks with campgrounds.

Passes can be purchased online or at many of the federal recreation sites that charge a fee. 

A National Park Pass makes a great gift for anyone who travels via a recreational vehicle, tent or even hotel and likes to visit National Parks.  

Other specials for the pass include anyone in with a child in the 4th grade can receive a free pass. The pass is valid for the duration of the 4th grade school year through the following summer. The pass admits the 4th grader and other people in the vehicle.

They also have specials for those in the military or disabled.  Get out and enjoy our national parks.

Are you looking for gifts for someone who RV's?  Here's some suggestions:  

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