National Parks Pass

1493 Views 25 Replies 19 Participants Last post by thumperjb, Nov 10, 2009

Motorcycle Pete

Discussion Starter · Oct 25, 2009

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I know I'm probably "preaching to the choir" here, but I just wanted to update details, and give a reminder.

Fees to the major National Parks keep going up, and seem to average around $25 for the "biggies" now. No big deal, if you're planning to spend the (four?) days, I think, that entry usually covers, but kinda spendy if you just want to pass on through.

The annual pass for us "young-uns" isn't cheap, at $80, but..I picked one up (not the first time in my life) going through Zion, after NASSIR2, and I paid for it, by the time I got home...through Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Mt. Lassen Volcanic NP. I now can enter for "free" anywhere I want, over the next 10 months.

If you're over 62 years young, you can get a LIFETIME one for $10, at any Park...you...lucky....B.......! :cheeky1:

I understand you ex-military guys and gals get one too- a lifetime one, that is.

Correct me if I'm wrong (anyone?) but as I understand it, one card is good for two bikes (four wheels) and four adults, or one adult and 6 small dogs...kidding!

I suspect that trailers, trikes and sidecars could be "problematic" on the "two-fer" deal...anyone? :waving:

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1 - 20 of 26 Posts

Wichita Scorpion

· #2 · Oct 25, 2009

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Motorcycle Pete wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong (anyone?) but as I understand it, one card is good for two bikes (four wheels) and four adults, or one adult and 6 small dogs...kidding!

I suspect that trailers, trikes and sidecars could be "problematic" on the "two-fer" deal...anyone? :waving:

Good information, Motorcycle Pete. My son bought one of the $80.00 passes. I already had one of the ol' folks Lifetime passes. First National Park we entered, he used his pass and I used mine. My son was pulling a pop-up camper with the 1989 GL 1500; I was on the 1983 GL 1100 without the sidecar. Second National Park the attendant told him he could use his pass to get us both in. For the rest ofour September,6,500 mile, all western states, several National Parks (including your state), trip he got the pass and I rode in.
Pretty neat deal me thinks.

clpete

· #3 · Oct 25, 2009

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I also bought one last week going into the south rim. The guy told us that we could also bring in another motorcycle with us on the pass.

Hopefully it will pay off.

RayandTracy

· #4 · Oct 26, 2009

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"I understand you ex-military guys and gals get one too- a lifetime one, that is."

I looked but all I found was that veterans get in free on veterans day:baffled:

Can anyone direct me to the correct place?

Thanks, Ray:waving:

Dusty Boots

· #5 · Oct 26, 2009

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I bought one earlier this year and by the time I reached NASSIR, I hadquit counting at 22 National Parks/Monuments/RAs I had been through.

The 'Entrance Fee' is usually good for 5 - 7 days and yup, Beemer Brad, Winger77 and Roger got in free a few timeson my pass, but not always. I don't know what was up with that(?) :?

Bagmaster

· #6 · Oct 26, 2009

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Being disabled I can get mine for free!!!

DougW

· #7 · Oct 26, 2009

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We bought one on the NASSIR2 trip and it payed for itself before we got to the Grand Canyon. It still has until the end of September 2010 before it runs out.

Not many national parks around here but we may get more use of it yet.

racingbanker16

· #8 · Oct 26, 2009

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"If you're over 62 years young, you can get a LIFETIME one for $10, at any Park...you...lucky....B.......! :cheeky1:
"

Yep, I've had one for several years and it it quite a bargain considering 'One time Entrance Fees'!

exavid

· #9 · Oct 26, 2009

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The deal was with my "Golden Age" geezer pass that cost me $6 four years ago is that if I drove up with a car load of people we all got in on my pass. My brother who didn't have one yet and I rode up to Glacier Park and the gal at the gate didn't want to let us both in on my pass. We'd both gotten into many National Parks before with both bikes on my pass so I asked why not. She said we had to be in the same vehicle so I told her I'd ride through the gate and park my bike then walk back out and get on the back of his bike and then we both could come through on my pass. This confused her so much she got her supervisor and told him about it. He told her that both of us could have gone through with both bikes in the first place. Recently at Crater Lake I waved my pass at the gate person and she let five of us ride through the gate on my pass. Who knows the mind of summer hires?

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clpete

· #10 · Oct 26, 2009

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Here are the rules on the $80 pass. I think the rules are similar for the $10 old guy pass.

Notice that 2 people can share one.

NATIONAL PARK PASS RULES

Motorcycle Pete

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 26, 2009

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clpete- Thanks for the site that clarifies the details. I'm thinking I'll print that out, highlight the pertinent parts, and carry it with my pass, just for those "special" seasonal employees...

It sounds like I may have been wrong, about ex-military..come to think of it, the guy I know with one actually got a disability retirement from the military, so, that may explain it. :baffled: If you DON'T get one, you dang well SHOULD!

ding dong

· #12 · Oct 26, 2009

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Have one of the 62+ passes and use it all the time.

Tried to use it to enter Mt Rushmore but were told we were paying the $10for parkingnot an entrance fee. Oh well! Hope that isn't a sign of things to come. Great value though.

corventure

· #13 · Oct 26, 2009

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dingdong wrote:

Have one of the 62+ passes and use it all the time.

Tried to use it to enter Mt Rushmore but were told we were paying the $10for parkingnot an entrance fee. Oh well! Hope that isn't a sign of things to come. Great value though.

Yes it is, so get ready!

They let me in with my Annual Pass and Homer Simpson Drivers License!:cheeky1:

Bagmaster

· #14 · Oct 26, 2009

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Gonna take my DD-214 and head over to Cowpens Battleground and get my free pass!

Motorcycle Pete

Discussion Starter · #15 · Oct 27, 2009

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dingdong wrote:

Have one of the 62+ passes and use it all the time.

Tried to use it to enter Mt Rushmore but were told we were paying the $10 for parking not an entrance fee. Oh well! Hope that isn't a sign of things to come. Great value though.

If it makes you feel better, I remember that Rushmore has been doing that since the very early 80's at least (only one of two times I've been there as an adult). I imagine that's because they can't (I don't think) charge on the highway, which is a public right-of-way. My understanding is that you could actually park on the road and walk in (for free) but, who'd want to? So yes, it's a classic "gotcha"!

My college bud and I skipped it, in protest (they don't seem to able to screen all those huge noses, so you can see it from many spots) and went to the Cochise Memorial, instead. Ok, yeah, I DO have a contrarian/radical streak in me! Of course, check out what the "voluntary donation" is for the Cochise thing, and you'll head back over to Rushmore, and pay gladly!

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plainmech

· #16 · Oct 27, 2009

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Bagmaster wrote:

Gonna take my DD-214 and head over to Cowpens Battleground and get my free pass!

gonna need someone to help carry it. weren't they made of stone when julius c. signed em:cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::action::waving:

Bagmaster

· #17 · Oct 27, 2009

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plainmech wrote:

Bagmaster wrote:

Gonna take my DD-214 and head over to Cowpens Battleground and get my free pass!

Click to expand...

gonna need someone to help carry it. weren't they made of stone when julius c. signed em:cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::action::waving:

Oh, just you wait till the spring M&G in Texas, I got something for you!!

:cooldevil::cooldevil::cooldevil::cooldevil::cooldevil::cooldevil::cooldevil::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1::cheeky1:

NevadaDave

· #18 · Oct 27, 2009

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I could not find anything about military/veteran discounts for the park passes. Can someone show a link that explains or confirms anything about this? I still have a few years to go before the age 62 discount.

Motorcycle Pete

Discussion Starter · #19 · Oct 27, 2009

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My apologies once again...apparently, there isn't one, which really sucks, since if anyone deserves a deal, it is all of you who've served in the Armed Forces.

There's a link to all the "rules" at post number 10 above, from a terrific soul who does his research, BEFORE his opens his mouth....oops....sorry! :doh:

DougW

· #20 · Oct 27, 2009

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There have been bills entered in congress to reduce the rate for veterans to $10 BUT they have NOT passed so we pay the regular price. It looks like the bill has been submitted but has died from no action about three times so maybe it will get through at some point.

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