National Park Senior Pass: $80 for Life at 62+
How the national park Senior Pass works: $80 lifetime or $20 a year at 62 and older, what it covers, where to buy it, and the free veterans pass.
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Here’s one of the best travel deals in America, and plenty of folks over 62 still don’t have one: the America the Beautiful Senior Pass. Buy it once, and the entrance gates at hundreds of national parks open for you for the rest of your life.
1. What it costs, and who can get one
- Lifetime pass: $80, good for life.
- Annual pass: $20, good for one year. You can upgrade an annual pass to a lifetime pass in person at a participating site.
- Who qualifies: U.S. citizens and permanent residents age 62 and older. Bring proof of age and residency, like a driver’s license.
The pass can’t be bought as a gift, because the person using it has to show they qualify. It’s also not replaceable if lost, so keep it somewhere safe, maybe with your car registration.
2. What it covers
- Entrance fees at national parks and at sites run by the U.S. Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers.
- Your whole carload. At places that charge by the vehicle, it covers you and everyone riding with you in a regular car. Where they charge per person, it covers you plus up to three other adults. Kids under 16 get in free anyway.
- Some discounts. Passholders can get 50% off some camping, swimming, boat launch and tour fees.
It generally doesn’t cover things run by private companies, like lodges, shuttles or boat tours, so ask before you pay.
3. Where to buy it
- In person at most national park entrance stations and many federal recreation offices. This is the quickest way.
- Online as a digital pass at Recreation.gov, which you can use right away.
- By mail through the USGS online store. Allow a few weeks for delivery.
If you still have an old Golden Age Passport, it’s still honored, and you can swap it for a new lifetime pass at no cost.
Veterans, this one’s for you
Veterans and Gold Star families can get a free Military Lifetime Pass. Current military members and their dependents can get a free annual pass. As a veteran myself, I think it’s one of the nicer thank-yous out there. And mark your calendar: Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is a fee-free day at the national parks for everyone.
Try this today
- Check the official details at nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm.
- Find the federal park or forest closest to your home.
- Plan one easy day trip there this fall or next spring.
You don’t have to go far
The big-name parks get the headlines, but there are national historic sites, battlefields, seashores, lakes and forests all over the country, many within an easy drive. A short visit to a nearby site is a great first outing with your new pass. Pack a lunch, take the scenic drive and stop at the visitor center for the ranger talk.
Planning a longer trip? Your Next Trip, Made Easier has handy tips, and our free large-print printables include a trip planner.
Which national park is your favorite, or still on your list? Tell me in the comments.