topic Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks in Community Chat

Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

patbz — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 16:46:24 GMT

I heard that the Lifetime Senior Pass to National Parks goes from $10 to $80 on 28 August. Has anyone else heard about this? Btw I have had my pass for 13 years but we are going to purchase another for DH on Monday.

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

millieshops — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 16:51:16 GMT

Wow! That's a huge hike, and no, I hadn't heard.

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

buckie from virginia — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 17:05:41 GMT

Yes.I am in Va. and my husband read about this.We plan on making a trip and getting our lifetime passes before they go up.

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

ScarletDove — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 23:15:04 GMT

I got an email this morning from AMAC (by the way, better than AARP) with a good article about this increase, unfortunately they did not give a link, so I googled USGS and once there went to USGS Store and found what I needed to apply for a pass.

I ordered the Senior Lifetime Pass today and had heard about this benefit, got it before price increase. Please note, USGS Store website states if your order is submitted before increase date of 8/28, you get the original price. I ordered online, cost was $20 total–$10 for pass, $10 for online processing fee. NOTE: You are required to register and set up an account validating your email, to order at the USGS Store. I had put the pass in the cart prior to registration, but it held the order and worked well. There was no request during registration for proof of age or my birthdate; after order goes through you are asked to upload documentation to age! The article and website stated there is a backlog for mail-in and online ordering of about 8-9 weeks, reason I mention ordering prior to date of increase. Here is a link to the AMAC article:

https://amac.us/senior-lifetime-pass-national-parks-increasing-need-now/

Here is the USGS Store site link:

https://store.usgs.gov/

Hope both will help...

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

proudlyfromNJ — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 17:44:54 GMT

@ScarletDove wrote:
I got an email this morning from AMAC--Assoc for Mature American Citizens (by the way, better than AARP) with a good article about this increase, unfortunately they did not give a link, so I googled USGS and once there went to USGS Store and found what I needed to apply for a pass. It is a govt website, not the best designed but poked around till find the pass needed.
I ordered the Senior Lifetime Pass 7/15/17, I am over 70 and had heard about this benefit, got it before price increase. Please note, USGS Store website states if your order is submitted before increase date of 8/28, you get the original price. I ordered online, cost was $20 total–$10 for pass, $10 for online processing fee. NOTE: You are required to register and set up an account validating your email, to order at the USGS Store. I had put the pass in the cart prior to registration, but it held the order and worked well. There was no request during registration for proof of age or my birthdate! The article and website stated there is a backlog for mail-in and online ordering of about 8-9 weeks, reason I mentioned ordering prior to date of increase; if you plan to travel soon they suggest you go to a parks facility in person to apply. I am not traveling soon so used online ordering. Here is a link to the AMAC article:
https://amac.us/senior-lifetime-pass-national-parks-increasing-need-now/
Here is the USGS Store site link:
https://store.usgs.gov/
Hope both will help...

I already have my Lifetime pass and I disagree about the AMAC.

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

noodleann — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 17:48:03 GMT

@ScarletDove, thanks very much for posting this. I am going to order mine before the increase.

BTW, you must be 62 or older to qualify for the pass, and you are required to upload documentation as part of the online application. The qualifying documentation (passport, drivers licence, etc.) will have your birthdate on it. So I wouldn't bother trying to apply if you're not 62 or older.

Mailed applications postmarked by 8/27 will be accepted.

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

Ms tyrion2 — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 17:49:11 GMT

@proudlyfromNJ wrote:
@ScarletDove wrote:
I got an email this morning from AMAC--Assoc for Mature American Citizens (by the way, better than AARP) with a good article about this increase, unfortunately they did not give a link, so I googled USGS and once there went to USGS Store and found what I needed to apply for a pass. It is a govt website, not the best designed but poked around till find the pass needed.
I ordered the Senior Lifetime Pass 7/15/17, I am over 70 and had heard about this benefit, got it before price increase. Please note, USGS Store website states if your order is submitted before increase date of 8/28, you get the original price. I ordered online, cost was $20 total–$10 for pass, $10 for online processing fee. NOTE: You are required to register and set up an account validating your email, to order at the USGS Store. I had put the pass in the cart prior to registration, but it held the order and worked well. There was no request during registration for proof of age or my birthdate! The article and website stated there is a backlog for mail-in and online ordering of about 8-9 weeks, reason I mentioned ordering prior to date of increase; if you plan to travel soon they suggest you go to a parks facility in person to apply. I am not traveling soon so used online ordering. Here is a link to the AMAC article:
https://amac.us/senior-lifetime-pass-national-parks-increasing-need-now/
Here is the USGS Store site link:
https://store.usgs.gov/
Hope both will help...

I already have my Lifetime pass and I disagree about the AMAC.

I agree with you regarding the AMAC. OP is being a bit disingenuous. The AMAC is a conservative organization and only "better" if that is your political persuasion

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

ScarletDove — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 19:02:03 GMT

@Ms tyrion2 wrote:
@proudlyfromNJ wrote:
I already have my Lifetime pass and I disagree about the AMAC.

I agree with you regarding the AMAC. OP is being a bit disingenuous. The AMAC is a conservative organization and only "better" if that is your political persuasion

@Ms tyrion2 I am sorry you think me disingenuous because I have a preference.....have been a member of both.

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

ScarletDove — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 18:30:09 GMT

@noodleann wrote:
@ScarletDove, thanks very much for posting this. I am going to order mine before the increase.

BTW, you must be 62 or older to qualify for the pass, and you are required to upload documentation as part of the online application. The qualifying documentation (passport, drivers licence, etc.) will have your birthdate on it. So I wouldn't bother trying to apply if you're not 62 or older.

Mailed applications postmarked by 8/27 will be accepted.

@noodleann When I registered and ordered, the website asked for an upload after it went through, I missed it but found the request in my account......thanks for your notation or I would have missed or ignored it.....

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

SXMGirl — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 19:16:59 GMT

I am so glad that I saw this. I printed out the form and will mail it on Monday. We got DH one last year when we were in New Mexico, but I like to have my own. He probably doesn't even know where his is.

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

Kachina624 — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 01:25:14 GMT

They need to do something to increase the revenue in the national parks because they're in deplorable condition with little, if any, maintenence being done.

I was at Yellowstone two years ago. Having been there before, I had a basis for comparison and it was bad. I wouldn't even bother going back again. Our big, popular parks are over-used and under-maintained. They need to limit the number of people entering the parks each day. Many of the features have been ruined by dumb people doing stupid things. I suppose the ranger force is stretched thin.

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

JillyMarie — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 02:12:08 GMT

I don't understand how this could happen. Why is this increase necessary when our economy is doing so well?

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

missy1 — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 03:03:03 GMT

Do you all go to the National Parks a lot?

https://www.national-park.com/list-of-national-parks-in-the-united-states/

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

patbz — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 03:16:04 GMT

@missy1: I live in SW and have been to thirty seven (some, many times).

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

Kachina624 — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 03:56:07 GMT

@JillyMarie wrote:
I don't understand how this could happen. Why is this increase necessary when our economy is doing so well?

@JillyMarie The spoils of the economy obviously aren't going to maintain our parks. This is our childrens' heritage; it's wrong to let it waste away.

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

CAMOGIRL — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 04:22:39 GMT

If we want nice parks to go to and enjoy we do need to pay for the upkeep and maintenance of them which like anything else is not going to get any cheaper.

I also think a lot of people are just pigs and have no respect for nature and the natural beauty that these places offer. In other words, they should go elsewhere. I find it hard to believe that some people go to these places and litter, walk off trails, and have no concept of posted signs put there for a purpose.

I also think these parks should take reservations only, limiting the visitors on a day to day basis. These parks were not set up for the droves of visitors that come in every year and are forever increasing in numbers. They need to be careful with these precious natural places, or what was once beautiful will no longer be.

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

Kachina624 — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 05:44:50 GMT

@patbz What are your favorite National Parks? I like The Arches in Moab, UT. And Bryce, also in UT. Then I like Glacier in Mt.

Delicate Arch, Arches Natl Park, Ut

Bryce Natl Park, Ut.

Glacier Natl Park, Mt.

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

Kachina624 — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 05:51:04 GMT

@CAMOGIRL wrote:
If we want nice parks to go to and enjoy we do need to pay for the upkeep and maintenance of them which like anything else is not going to get any cheaper.

I also think a lot of people are just pigs and have no respect for nature and the natural beauty that these places offer. In other words, they should go elsewhere. I find it hard to believe that some people go to these places and litter, walk off trails, and have no concept of posted signs put there for a purpose.

I also think these parks should take reservations only, limiting the visitors on a day to day basis. These parks were not set up for the droves of visitors that come in every year and are forever increasing in numbers. They need to be careful with these precious natural places, or what was once beautiful will no longer be.

Well said @CAMOGIRL. I think I read 2 men this year have wandered off the trails near geysers in Yellowstone and have fallen through the crust to boil to death. The first one, I know, they said due to the danger, no attempts would be made to retrieve his body. What a way to go.

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

patbz — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 15:11:26 GMT

Love Bryce, Moab, Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Death Valley.

Re: Hike in Senior Pass to National Parks

JillyMarie — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 20:47:31 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:

@JillyMarie wrote:
I don't understand how this could happen. Why is this increase necessary when our economy is doing so well?

@JillyMarie The spoils of the economy obviously aren't going to maintain our parks. This is our childrens' heritage; it's wrong to let it waste away.

If the ecomony is booming and many many people are entering and re-entering the working force then it stands to reason that those people and many other people will be visiting the parks and bringing revenue to the parks system. Support from the feds and taxes cannot be counted on to maintain the parks. I agree that the national parks should not be allowed to deteriorate or be raped by petroleum exploration companies.