If you’re a recent retiree aching to crisscross the country and see federal recreation sites or if you’re a senior who always wanted to explore metro Atlanta’s backyard, an easy way of doing so is about to be eight times more expensive.
The cost of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass is soon increasing from $10 to $80, according to the parks service.
The price — which hasn't gone up since 1994 — is increasing to match the regular annual pass for non-seniors, the agency said. The change takes place Aug. 28.
The change comes as part of the National Park Service Centennial Act, which was signed into law Dec. 16, 2016.
Another change is the addition of an annual senior pass for $20.
And just what does the parks service consider a senior? Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident age 62 years or older. Don’t get mad at the AJC; we’re just reporting what the feds said, y’all.
Aside from access into 2,000 sites across the country, the senior pass may score you a 50 percent discount on some amenity fees for facilities and services like camping, swimming, boating and more. So check with the individual parks.
You can buy the pass online or through the mail (both with a $10 processing fee) or at certain recreation sites.
The six agencies that fall under the pass are:
This includes sites around metro Atlanta like the ones below. Find a national list here.
Do you have more questions about the pass? Check out this FAQ.
And if you don't want to mess around with any of this, that's fine because only 118 of 417 National Park Service sites have an entrance fee anyway.
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