Turning 62 comes with one of the best deals in American travel. The Senior Pass gets you into every national park and thousands of other federal recreation sites, and it costs $20 a year or $80 for the rest of your life.
The two senior passes
| Senior Annual | Senior Lifetime | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20 | $80 |
| Valid for | 12 months | Life |
| Who qualifies | US citizens and residents 62+ | US citizens and residents 62+ |
| Camping discount | At many sites | At many sites |
The lifetime pass costs the same as four years of annual passes. If you expect to visit parks for more than four years, it's the better buy. If you're unsure, start with the annual pass: you can trade annual passes in later (see below), so the money isn't wasted.
In August 2017 the lifetime pass rose to $80, its first price increase since 1994.
What the senior pass covers
Like the standard America the Beautiful pass, the Senior Pass covers entrance fees and standard day-use fees at sites run by the National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers.
- At per-vehicle sites, it covers you and everyone in your private, non-commercial vehicle.
- At per-person sites, it covers you plus up to three more adults. Children under 16 are free.
- On motorcycles, it covers two motorcycles.
What sets it apart from the $80 annual pass is the discount on some expanded amenity fees: camping, swimming, boat launches and some guided tours. The Park Service says it may provide a 50% discount on some of those fees. In practice:
- Many federal campgrounds take 50% off the campsite fee. The discount covers only the pass holder's own site, not separately charged hookups or flat-fee group sites.
- The discount is not universal. Campgrounds run by private concessioners may not offer it, and some fee types don't qualify.
- The campground may ask to see the pass, so carry it with you.
For a couple who camps a lot, the camping discount can be worth more than the entrance fees.
What you need to apply
You must be 62 or older and a US citizen or permanent resident. Bring proof of both, such as:
- a US driver's license,
- a US passport, or
- a permanent resident (green) card.
Online applications ask you to upload the same proof. At the gate, the pass holder must show photo ID.
How to get a senior pass
- In person at a federal recreation site that sells passes, which includes most national park entrance stations and visitor centers. No extra fees, and you leave with the card.
- Digital pass on Recreation.gov. It can be saved to your phone and used immediately.
- By mail from the USGS Store. Adds a $5 processing fee and $7.50 handling. Applications are processed within about five business days of arriving, then shipping takes several more days. Allow up to three weeks.
The pass can't be bought as a gift, because the holder has to prove their own age and residency.
Upgrading annual passes to a lifetime pass
You can trade in Senior Annual passes, even expired ones, for credit toward a lifetime pass. The upgrade is done in person at any site that sells Senior passes:
| Annual passes you bring | You pay |
|---|---|
| 1 | $60 |
| 2 | $40 |
| 3 | $20 |
| 4 | $0 |
So keep your old annual passes in a drawer rather than throwing them away.
Old Golden Age Passports
If you have a Golden Age Passport, it's still honored. You can also exchange it for a Senior Lifetime Pass for free, in person at a fee-charging park, with the old pass and photo ID.
Lost or damaged passes
A lost or stolen Senior Pass can't be replaced; you have to buy another. A damaged pass can be replaced if part of it is still identifiable and you show ID.
State park senior passes
The federal Senior Pass doesn't cover state parks. Many states run their own discounted or lifetime passes for older residents, with their own age limits and prices, so check with the state park system you plan to visit.
