When I picked up my BWCA permit in Tofte in early September, the clerk/ranger asked if I was 62 years old. I said, "Yes!". She sold me one of the above titled passes. It is good for LIFE, and it only cost $10 for "seniors". What it does is it gets me a 50% discount on BWCA permit fees, and 50% off fees at any fee sites run by the USFS, USFWS, National Park Service and two others. I used it again that same day to get 50% off ($9) at the Flour Lake campground for my campsite the evening before the day I entered, so it paid for itself the same day I bought it. If you are younger than 62, it costs $80 per year, so that may not be a good deal. Some of the deals are 50% off all the occupants in a single vehicle, so that could be some serious bucks.

My wife and I have a business meeting in Sedona, AZ next spring and we are planning to hit the Grand Canyon again, so it could save us some bucks possibly.

Anyone over 62 that is going to the BWCA, it seems like a great deal. They give you a credit card sized card that you need to carry with you. Like I said, it is a one time purchase, and it is good for life. It is not good at any state owned facilities.

Finally, I am seeing a few rewards from having no hair and a gray beard! Love it. Also - If you are over 60, Culvers gives you a 5-10% senior discount on food - just ask for it. It all adds up, I guess. They also have discounted cards for ex-military, disabled, and maybe a few other groups.

Tomster

WE have had our for several years. It will get you into places like Glacier National Park for free and then the campsites are half price. Also campgrounds run by the BLM , the Corp of Engineers (example....Fort Peck Dam Campground) and of course National Forest Campgrounds will get half price. National Monuments will get you in free ( like Pompei Pillar). They are a great deal. National Forest Campgrounds like Fall Lake Campground by Ely are a great deal.
A great deal.

dr bob

Hmmm, wish I had known when I was up there . . .

Do you know if I can get one online?

quote boonie: "Hmmm, wish I had known when I was up there . . .


Do you know if I can get one online?"

Not sure about getting it on-line. Maybe just call the Tofte or other ranger station for an answer. I wouldn't have known about it if the ranger/clerk hadn't told me about it. You could google it, I guess. The Tofte ranger gave me the credit card sized card and a thing you can stick the car in that you can hang from your rear view mirror. She also said I just could just lay the card on the car dash with the number exposed. There is no link listed on the card.

They give you the discount on the spot if you pay the $10 fee when you pick up your permit, i.e. they have Recreation.org put it back on your credit card eventually, and I used it the same afternoon at the Flour Lake USFS campground. You should get the same 50% discount at the USFS Sawbill campground or any other USFS campground anywhere in the US.

Here is a link:

Discount Card

IIRC, these are only obtainable in person. I looked at going to indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, nearest NPS facility, but waited till I was at Kawishiwi station.

quote billconner: "IIRC, these are only obtainable in person. I looked at going to indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, nearest NPS facility, but waited till I was at Kawishiwi station."

Apparently that has changed - according to Tomster's link they can be purchased online, but . . .

"The cost of obtaining a Senior Pass through the mail is twenty dollars ($20). Ten ($10) for the Senior Pass and ten ($10) for processing the application. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship".

I ordered one online, forgot I did it and before it showed up the wife and I went into the BW and we each bought another one at the ranger station. I guess I now have two lifetime discount passes (go figure). Each person over 62 needs their own card, it's not a group discount.

AS a old geezer it is nice to have the card as I do,but sometimes wonder on average we Seniors have probably a little more cash than many young people. I wonder if many park projects don't get maintained. To cover park expenses that seniors do not have to pay,I wonder if others have to pick up the slack or things that should be maintained do not . I do no park and wilderness areas funds have been cut. The free National park thing and not even half price more than anything.
Just a thought.

Yes I do use my card.

Sorry I hijacked the original post somewhat.
Yes at one time you had to get the card in person at a park or ranger station. sounds like it changed?

quote Pinetree: "AS a old geezer it is nice to have the card as I do,but sometimes wonder on average we Seniors have probably a little more cash than many young people. I wonder if many park projects don't get maintained. To cover park expenses that seniors do not have to pay,I wonder if others have to pick up the slack or things that should be maintained do not . I do no park and wilderness areas funds have been cut. The free National park thing and not even half price more than anything.
Just a thought.


Yes I do use my card.


Sorry I hijacked the original post somewhat.
Yes at one time you had to get the card in person at a park or ranger station. sounds like it changed?"

I used to believe that discounts like this for seniors were given because seniors are on fixed incomes and having to eat dog food. Now I know the discounts are given because we are the ones with the money and the time to use this kind of thing.

In addition, I looked up the USFS senior pass and it still says you have to apply in person, so I'm a bit confused. Are we all talking about the same pass?

quote awbrown: "

quote Pinetree: "AS a old geezer it is nice to have the card as I do,but sometimes wonder on average we Seniors have probably a little more cash than many young people. I wonder if many park projects don't get maintained. To cover park expenses that seniors do not have to pay,I wonder if others have to pick up the slack or things that should be maintained do not . I do no park and wilderness areas funds have been cut. The free National park thing and not even half price more than anything.
Just a thought.



Yes I do use my card.



Sorry I hijacked the original post somewhat.
Yes at one time you had to get the card in person at a park or ranger station. sounds like it changed?"

I used to believe that discounts like this for seniors were given because seniors are on fixed incomes and having to eat dog food. Now I know the discounts are given because we are the ones with the money and the time to use this kind of thing.


In addition, I looked up the USFS senior pass and it still says you have to apply in person, so I'm a bit confused. Are we all talking about the same pass?"

yes

Worth while discount, that I will not quibble about. Even if it needed to be renewed for $10 a year. I have regularly obtained 1/2 price USFS camping, free entry into USFS parks since I retired needing only my pass (never checked my wife).
After paying taxes since I was first employed almost 50 years ago (first paychecks that included deductions began 1967), I'm not embarrassed or timid in it's use.

butthead

quote butthead: "Worth while discount, that I will not quibble about. Even if it needed to be renewed for $10 a year. I have regularly obtained 1/2 price USFS camping, free entry into USFS parks since I retired needing only my pass (never checked my wife).
After paying taxes since I was first employed almost 50 years ago (first paychecks that included deductions began 1967), I'm not embarrassed or timid in it's use.


butthead"

The only problem I see is much of national parks money they get is actually what they bring in. Tax dollars are getting less and less, So infra structure is hurting in many. Even like half price at a National park would be good. Not a 100% discount.

Interesting. If you go to the USFS (Forest Service) website, you are told that you must purchase the Senior Pass in person at USFS facilities.

If you to the USGS (Geological Survey) online "store", they have instructions for purchasing the Senior Pass online.

No wonder people get frustrated with the government.

Like the NPS and USFS definitions of "mechanical" don't agree? I am not surprised the pass is different based on agency. They probably blame it on not having enough money to change over.

I really don't understand the unhappiness over the purchase method. When I became 62 I purchased a pass at the first Federal facility I encountered that required payment for admission.

Then Senior Pass in hand, proceeded to learn where I could use it.

BTW it paid for itself in two days.

Totally worth it. I made a copy of my drivers license on my printer unit.... printed it large enough for easy read and mailed it in with application. $20 well spent.

Most seniors more than make up for the discounts in what they willing spend on 'stuff' when they are in the park. You know.... extras like souvenirs, donations to wildlife funds or NPS or $ spent at Park restaurants.

scroll down page to Senior Pass here

P.S. actually heard a story of an old woman who lived alone in Ohio in a remote shack. when they discovered she had passed away they also discovered a huge pile of rusted and newer dog food cans in her overgrown backyard. she reportedly never owned a dog.

Do not have to renew it yearly.... I price forever. It is good for a group discount I believe. if someone has it at say Glacier NP entrance it will get the car full in...

dr bob

quote DrBobDerrig: "Do not have to renew it yearly.... I price forever. It is good for a group discount I believe. if someone has it at say Glacier NP entrance it will get the car full in... dr bob"

Yup, used it at Yellowstone and forest service Campgrounds.

quote Grandma L: "

quote DrBobDerrig: "Do not have to renew it yearly.... I price forever. It is good for a group discount I believe. if someone has it at say Glacier NP entrance it will get the car full in... dr bob"

Yup, used it at Yellowstone and forest service Campgrounds. "

That's interesting. Both GM and Ely forest service stations told my wife and I that we both needed a separate card for us both to get the discount rate for the permit. When we stayed at Trails end campground I only put my # on the pay envelope so maybe it's all about where you are at. It doesn't really matter to us as we both carry them and will show if asked. Just interesting that's all. Al

quote Duboly: "

quote Grandma L: "

quote DrBobDerrig: "Do not have to renew it yearly.... I price forever. It is good for a group discount I believe. if someone has it at say Glacier NP entrance it will get the car full in... dr bob"

Yup, used it at Yellowstone and forest service Campgrounds. "

That's interesting. Both GM and Ely forest service stations told my wife and I that we both needed a separate card for us both to get the discount rate for the permit. When we stayed at Trails end campground I only put my # on the pay envelope so maybe it's all about where you are at. It doesn't really matter to us as we both carry them and will show if asked. Just interesting that's all. Al"

You are talking about a Boundary Waters Permit....they are right ...each person over 62 would need their own card and number. If you make your reservation on line you will pay the usual adult rate...when you get your permit at the FS or outfitter they give you the discount when you show them your card...at least that is what happens to us.

dr bob

Pass rules