[RDinNHandAZ]

On August 28th the $10 Lifetime Senior National Parks Pass will become the $80 LSNPP. It will still be a bargain but if you are eligible you might want to act now. For anyone who does not know it gives you and anyone in your vehicle free access to the National Parks, to many other federal lands and holdings and a reduced camping rate at National Parks campgrounds and many other federal campgrounds like BLM, where fees are charged.
These six agencies participate in the Interagency Pass Program:

National Park Service
U.S. Forest Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Reclamation
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

These campgrounds are our first choice for interesting areas, wonderful and considerate fellow campers, and very inexpensive rates with the discount. I have had one for many years and the Mrs. just bought one JIC something untoward should happen to me and she wants to get in to a NP or camp.

See:
https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm#CP_JUMP_5088578

 

[LarryK]

Thanks for the information!
Just a word of warning, don't be in a hurry if you order a pass online!
I started by scanning my Drivers License, because you need to submit identification.
One half hour later, I finally made it through the process which required creating an account, verifying e-mail, and on and on. $20.00 with processing fees.

 

[KilWerBzz]

Thanks for the information!
Just a word of warning, don't be in a hurry if you order a pass online!
I started by scanning my Drivers License, because you need to submit identification.
One half hour later, I finally made it through the process which required creating an account, verifying e-mail, and on and on. $20.00 with processing fees.

Processing time 9weeks online, 12weeks by mail and instant if you buy at one of the listed parks.
https://store.usgs.gov/sites/default/files/PassIssuanceList.pdf

 

[Winston]

The Gift

it gives you and anyone in your vehicle free access to the National Parks, to many other federal lands and holdings and a reduced camping rate at National Parks campgrounds and many other federal campgrounds like BLM, where fees are charged.

We are in a cantankerous mood this morning . . . possibly because, even after getting the nearby camper to move his generator to 'the other side' . . . nature and the tranquility of this 'furtherest west you can drive in North America' campground (Anchor Point, Alaska) has been compromised.

We, too, have held one of those $10 federal senior passes for an undisclosed number of years. We couldn't believe it. Nowhere have/had we seen such a remarkable 'gift' from any government. It's too good to be true.

And not to diminish its continuing value, but over the years we've begun to see that it was too good to be true. The feds are eating away, now, from both ends of this grant.

Yes, RD, even at $80 it remains an incredible 'steal'. But, really, an 800% increase?

It's the other end, though, that is increasingly diminishing the value of this Pass. Recently we had to pay to see Gettysburg's 'Cyclorama' - - a federal park that originally fell under the Senior Pass. But it seems that the government is 'transferring' ownership, or at least operations, of these facilities to private organizations . . . "so your Senior Pass doesn't apply here". Cape Canaveral is another example.

Then we tried to take the last site at a federal campground in Granby, Colorado. Sites were $24, but $12 for seniors. But, this site was marked "double site" (not sure why, it looked no larger than all the others). As a double site it was priced, well, double: $48. Ok, we could bite the bullet and pay $24. Nope. Seniors don't get the discount on double sites, not even for 1/2 of the price - - a full $48 was demanded.

Then we discovered that the full discount doesn't apply to anything other than rustic (no services) sites. In Juneau we were told (by phone as the Mendenhall Glacier campground was 100% reservation and could not be paid locally, only by phone) that since we were attempting to reserve a site with electricity, our discount would not apply. At least here, they tendered a $5 discount - - better than nothing, but not the 50% expected. Oh, but wait, it gets better. In order to reserve this site - - remember one can't pay locally with a self-registration box - - you have to pay an additional $10 registration fee! Disgusted and annoyed, we finally left - - paying a little bit extra at a nearby commerical site, but then, at least, we got all the amenities, including the occasional bear visit.

Ok, we're done with this rant except to ponder, is the AARP or anyone (else) noticing the erosion of this 'gift' and challenging it?

Tomorrows Topic: Are all old people cantankerous? Or just Promaster owners?

 

[keeponvaning]

The answer to your question - BOTH!

And, yes elections have consequences.

 

[Jlo11111]

It's just you

 

[keeponvaning]

RangerJeff is having a bad day so we’ll let him rant for awhile if it pleases him. If he’s unhappy with this forum and my moderation he’s always welcome to join up with those Facebook Promaster people. it might just be a better fit all around🤔

 

[shreddagorge]

...join up with those Facebook Promaster people.

I know what a ProMaster is but am not familiar with that other thing you mention. ;-)

 

[baitbegger44##]

it's not just senior passes---' when I made reservations @ KOA for this coming week the online reservations did not have the ability to use points for 1 night.....so I called campground directly made reservations but operator said she was new and could not find path for using points for 1 night. She said she would contact owner and send email with adjustment. Still waiting for email, I am in condre ....so happy to get on road for a few days that I may not be as upset as I could be and understand that these businesses are mostly mom & pop and it has been a long year or so between customers and while 2 weeks is great a year or more it's eating leather belt time.

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[h1k3rb]

Don't be surprised if it's overbooked and there's nothing available when you get there. KOA's are one of those being bought up by a group intent on maximizing profit. Chances are working conditions (lack of adequate staffing, long hours, stress, low pay, etc) have deteriorated to the point they can't get or keep good help, hence the new employee. Hopefully not the case but be prepared to boondock (or cram into a spot with someone else) if needed.

 

[baitbegger44##]

a lot of KOA's have overflow area with electric if u have long enough cord.....only seen it used @ KOA on i95 Richmond Hill ga before turkey day.....i got in about 4pm and I got a site.....i usually do some walking around and another walker wanted me to know that rvs were in the overflow area and I was in the campground.....while not abusive she still wanted me to know what she felt a van was beneath an rv.....it was interesting conservation and usually find women voice their opinions much more than other males....
males usually just curious.....not a rant

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