What is the Senior Pass?
The Senior Pass replaced the Golden Age Passport in January 2007. The pass is for citizens or permanent residents of the United States, who are 62 years of age or older. It provides access to, and use of, any Federal recreation site that charges an Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee, and provides a discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees. What does it cost and how long is it valid? The cost of the Senior Pass is $10, and it is valid for the lifetime of the pass holder. Photo identification may be requested to verify pass ownership. What if I have a plastic Golden Age Passport and want a new Senior Pass instead? Existing plastic Golden Age Passports are valid for a lifetime. Therefore, if you would like the new Senior Pass, you may purchase one for $10.00, with proof of identification, e.g. driver’s license, birth certificate, or similar document. What if I have a paper Golden Age Passport and want a new Senior Pass instead? Paper Golden Age Passports will be exchanged free of charge with proof of identification, e.g. driver’s license, birth certificate, or similar document.
Where can I purchase a Senior Pass?
A Senior Pass can be obtained in person from a participating Federal recreation site or office. If I am a 62-year-old Canadian citizen can I purchase a Senior Pass? No. The Senior Pass is available only to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, age 62 years and older. If I live in England (or other country outside the US) and have a winter home in the US (Tucson for example) where I reside 6 months of the year, do I qualify for the Senior Pass? No. Owning property or paying taxes in the US does not automatically qualify you for a Senior Pass. You must be a permanent US resident, or a US citizen. What if my Senior Pass is lost, stolen or damaged? The Senior Pass is non-replaceable if lost or stolen. The Senior Pass is replaceable if damaged as long as identification is provided to validate ownership and a portion of the pass is identifiable. If I forgot to bring my Senior Pass, what should I do? You can either buy another Senior Pass with proper documentation, or pay the regular price. Can I purchase a Senior Pass one week before my 62nd birthday? No. To be eligible for the pass you must be 62 or older. If my spouse was the pass holder and s/he passes away, does the Senior Pass automatically transfer to me? No. The Senior Pass is non-transferable.
Which agencies honor the Senior Pass?
The Forest Service, the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation honor the Senior Pass at sites where Entrance or Standard Amenity Fees are charged. In addition, the Corps of Engineers and Tennessee Valley Authority may honor the Senior Pass. Check with the local site for more information. http://www.recreation.gov
What does the Senior Pass cover?
The Senior Pass admits pass holder/s 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 always admitted free). My family is traveling in two cars; will the Senior Pass let all of us into the site? Only the vehicle with the pass holder is covered. The second vehicle is subject to an entrance fee, or must be carrying a second pass. My spouse and I are each riding our own motorcycle or scooter; will one Senior Pass cover both our entries? No. At sites with per vehicle entrance fees the Senior Pass will cover entrance for the pass holder on one motorcycle only.
Senior Pass Benefits
Does the Senior Pass include any discounts at Federal Recreation sites? The Senior Pass provides a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity Fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launching, 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. Inquire locally for pass acceptance policies. What are the 50% discount guidelines? Inquire locally for pass acceptance policies. In general discounts are honored as follows: Individual Campsites: The discount only applies to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additional campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass holder’s party. Sites with Utility Hookups: If utility fees are charged for separately there is no discount. The discount may apply if the utility fee is combined (seamless) with the campsite fee. Group Campsites 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 campsite has a per person fee rate, only the pass holder receives a discount; others using the site pay the full fee. Guided Tours: The pass offers discounts on some guided tours. Only the pass holder receives a discount if one is offered. Transportation Systems: It depends. Check with the local recreation site. http://www.recreation.gov
Concessionaire Fees, Special Recreation, and Special Park Use Permit Fees: These fees might include, but are not limited to, lodging, campgrounds, tours, etc. Each concession contract varies with the site and the agency. Please check directly with the local recreation site about their discount policies.http://www.recreation.gov
There are thousands of Federal recreation sites and fees vary across the Federal agencies. Please inquire locally for pass acceptance and discount policies. Does my Senior Pass provide any discounts at Cooperating Association bookstores or gift shops that are located in the Federal Recreation sites (i.e. the Grand Canyon or Okeefenokee bookstores)? No. The Senior Pass does not cover discounts in on-site bookstores or gift stores. Is a Senior Pass valid at State Parks or local city/county Recreation sites? No. Federal Recreation sites are operated by the Federal government, whereas State Parks are operated by state governments, and local city/county Recreation sites are operated by local city/county governments.
