Golden Age Passport

"Golden Age Passport" was a pass issued by the National Park Service until January 1, 2007. It has been replaced with the "Senior Pass" of the new pass series now called America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. [http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass] ] [http://store.usgs.gov/pass/general.html National Park Service - Frequently Asked Questions] ] [http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Discounts/2007/7-07-27-SenDiscounts2NatParks.htm Senior Discounts to National Parks Have Changed] ]

It is a lifetime entrance pass to United States national parks for those 62 years and older. To obtain this a senior citizen need only go to any National Park Service facility that charges an entrance fee with the following:

* Show proof of age (must be 62 years or older).
* Show proof of citizenship (must be citizen or permanent resident of the United States)
* Ten Dollars cash (the one-time processing fee as of January 1, 2008).

Some consider this one of the best travel bargains in the United States. [ [http://www.epinions.com/trvl-review-3056-14A272E-38948AB1-prod2 Golden Age Passport (National Parks)] ] [ [http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Travel/03-26-01NatParks.htm Seniors (62 and over) Can Get Free Pass to National Parks] ] [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/25/AR2006112500053.html Sometimes Age Is a Bargain - 62 or Older? Enjoy the Best Bargain in the USA!] ] [ [http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-93262759.html Kiplinger's Retirement Report] ] [ [http://www.damonrv.com/owners/information/349/?/444/=&page=12& Full-timers: Free (or almost free) Park Passes] ] [ [http://www.reidsguides.com/destinations/northamerica/general/parks_pass.html Best Travel Deal in America] ]

Conditions

The National Park Service words the "Senior Pass" on their website as:

"This is a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity. The pass admits the pass holder and passengers in a non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas and pass holder + 3 adults, not to exceed 4 adults, at per person fee areas (children under 16 are admitted free). The pass can only be obtained in person at the park. The Senior Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services. In some cases where Expanded Amenity Fees are charged, only the pass holder will be given the 50 percent price reduction. The pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires."

eries

There are similar passes within this series:

* Annual Pass - a 12-month period pass, $80 as of January 1, 2008, increased from $50 of previous years.

* Access Pass - a lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. [http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass fees] ]

* Volunteer Pass - a pass for volunteers acquiring 500 service hours labor.

The current fees for these should be verified at the National Park Service website which will also provide additional answers to frequently asked questions.

Participating agencies included in the pass series are the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (Forest Service), Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. Some Corps of Engineers and Tennessee Valley Authority sites may honor the Senior Pass and the Access Pass for camping discounts.

External links

* [http://www.nps.gov National Park Service]
* [http://www.fs.fed.us USDA Forest Service]
* [http://www.recreation.gov Federal Recreation lands]
* [http://www.usbr.gov Bureau of Reclamation]
* [http://www.fws.gov Fish and Wildlife Service]
* [http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printable.html#fedlands National Atlas (lands maps)]
* [http://www.blm.gov Bureau of Land Management]

Reference