Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Senior Citizen National Parks and Recreational Lands Pass Info
|
Author | Message Text | ||
Pinetree |
|
||
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. 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? |
||
Pinetree |
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. yes |
||
DrBobDerrig |
dr bob |
||
butthead |
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 |
||
Pinetree |
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). 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. |
||
awbrown |
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. |
||
billconner |
|
||
yellowcanoe |
Then Senior Pass in hand, proceeded to learn where I could use it. BTW it paid for itself in two days. |
||
mjmkjun |
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. |
||
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. |
||
quark2222 |
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 |
||
DrBobDerrig |
A great deal. dr bob |
||
boonie |
Do you know if I can get one online? |
||
quark2222 |
quote boonie: "Hmmm, wish I had known when I was up there . . . 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 |
||
billconner |
|
||
boonie |
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". |
||
Duboly |
|
||
Pinetree |
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? |
||
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" 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 |
||
DrBobDerrig |
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" 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 |