National Park Service Senior Pass Increasing from $10 to $80

[quant]

The price for the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass (62+) is rising from $10 to $80 on August 28, 2017. The $10 pass is a no-brainer and can be easily used by many of us 62+ several times per year. Seniors should consider buying this pass ASAP. https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/senior-pass-changes.htm

 

[AmyPJ]

Hmmm, wonder whose decision THAT was.

 

[jmeb]

At $80 or $10, that pass is just a stupid good deal.

Fact is, the baby boomer generation is far wealthier than any of the generations that follow it are on a trajectory to be. And they will be utilizing park resources in much greater numbers, for a much longer time, than any previous generation. Someone has to pay for it, especially in the face of the current administration's cuts to their budgets.

 

[pais alto]

https://forum.pugski.com/threads/federal-lands-senior-pass-about-to-increase-mucho.5382/

 

[Bad Bob]

It is $20 if you order on lin right now; says the guy who just ordered his on line.

At $80 or $10, that pass is just a stupid good deal.

Fact is, the baby boomer generation is far wealthier than any of the generations that follow it are on a trajectory to be. And they will be utilizing park resources in much greater numbers, for a much longer time, than any previous generation. Someone has to pay for it, especially in the face of the current administration's cuts to their budgets.

Yes we are and we have paid a LOT of taxes over the years. If the Government wants to toss us a little bone why not take it. Oh ya my wife and I have donated a load of money and even more time into parks from Alaska to South Carolina (and probablly a lot of others around here have done the same or more). Show how much you care by your actions.

 

[snofun3]

This is probably not the answer you want or hoped it would be,. but it's what happened - sorry:

"In late 2016, Congress approved legislation, the National Park Service Centennial Act, that raises fees and sets up an endowment to help pay for projects and visitor services."

http://travel.aarp.org/articles-tip...tional-parks-lifetime-pass-cost-increase.html

 

[snofun3]

Hmmm, wonder whose decision THAT was.

Well, this is probably not that answer you were insinuating or hoping for, but:

http://travel.aarp.org/articles-tip...tional-parks-lifetime-pass-cost-increase.html

In late 2016, Congress approved legislation, the National Park Service Centennial Act, that raises fees and sets up an endowment to help pay for projects and visitor services.

 

[AmyPJ]

Well, this is probably not that answer you were insinuating or hoping for, but:

http://travel.aarp.org/articles-tip...tional-parks-lifetime-pass-cost-increase.html

In late 2016, Congress approved legislation, the National Park Service Centennial Act, that raises fees and sets up an endowment to help pay for projects and visitor services.

It's a big increase, but I'm glad the money is going to help pay for projects and services!

 

[mikel]

I think even at $80 it is a hec of a deal. We have been paying that a year. (I started to make political commentary but edited that out of the post)

 

[Pat AKA mustski]

Hmmm. No surprise but there is a backlog on senior passes. I guess everyone is jumping on that $10 while it's still available! Does anyone know if the annual passes for non seniors are going up in price also?

 

[Don in Morrison]

We drove up to RMNP last Saturday and got one for Mrs. Claystone on the way through the gate. Then we had a leisurely drive over Trail Ridge and headed home.

 

[John Webb]

More bad news. 17 of the most visited parks are about to jack prices way up.
some may triple admission fees.

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/o...-go-to-a-national-park-big-fee-hike-proposed/

 

[Lorenzzo]

Curious what Disneyland costs...

 

[fatbob]

Hmm surge pricing for parks. Don't think Disney or anything that is a commercial attraction should necessarily be a comparable. Think of it as an urban family driving by and whether they are encouraged to begin a love for the outdoors.

 

[crgildart]

More bad news. 17 of the most visited parks are about to jack prices way up.
some may triple admission fees.

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/o...-go-to-a-national-park-big-fee-hike-proposed/

Yep, we paid like $30 for a 7 day family pass to Yellowstone and Tetons last June. I heard most are going up to around $70 per day.. Poor people can't even afford to go outside now..

 

[jmeb]

Yep, we paid like $30 for a 7 day family pass to Yellowstone and Tetons last June. I heard most are going up to around $70 per day.. Poor people can't even afford to go outside now..

Still $80 for an annual pass in the proposal.

I see this as the Vail Resorts lift pricing schema; not great for one time visitors, but still very reasonable for regular users. The NPS will sell a boatload more annual passes, even if people buying them don't get lots of days in. Lord knows they need the money.

(Yes, we all might feel they should be properly funded so they don't have to rely on user fees as a main income source, but that is not the current fiscal or political reality.)

I could see this increasing total visits.

 

[crgildart]

Still $80 for an annual pass in the proposal.

I see this as the Vail Resorts lift pricing schema; not great for one time visitors, but still very reasonable for regular users. The NPS will sell a boatload more annual passes, even if people buying them don't get lots of days in. Lord knows they need the money.

(Yes, we all might feel they should be properly funded so they don't have to rely on user fees as a main income source, but that is not the current fiscal or political reality.)

I could see this increasing total visits.

Umm, isn't that $80 for seniors only?

 

[jmeb]

Umm, isn't that $80 for seniors only?

No.

Source: am not a senior. Have had a NPS annual pass for last 5 years.

 

[crgildart]

No.

Source: am not a senior. Have had a NPS annual pass for last 5 years.

So the price stays the same for most but only goes up 8X for seniors?? And also up for day trippers?

 

[jmeb]

So the price stays the same for most but only goes up 8X for seniors?? And also up for day trippers?

Kind of, but that's sort of misleading.And I wouldn't say "most" visitors have an annual pass.

"Seniors" now are much healthier, living much longer more active lives. This means a lot more use of parks / facilities than previous generations. The price is going up for them -- $80 for the rest of their life. Compared to $10. Still a crazy good deal. Non-seniors pay $80 per year.

And it is going up about 2-3x (depending on the park) for day trippers using the park at its peak time at select parks.