America the beautiful access pass

[B and C]

I got mine right after I retired when we went to Yellowstone (for $10!). I don't remember all the times I have used it. If I were getting the (I call it the geezer pass) today, I still would pay the money.

Edit to add: forgot to look that I had already posted, oh well.

 

[jacqueg]

I really enjoyed making mistakes when I was young. Experience is earned, so no regrets here!
One thing that is comforting as I get older is, that I don't give a rat's tail for things that seemed to be of paramount importance back in the day...

No kidding. There are SO MANY things that I no longer feel it's my responsibility to care about, it's just a huge relief!

 

[jacqueg]

I got mine right after I retired when we went to Yellowstone (for $10!).  I don't remember all the times I have used it.  If I were getting the (I call it the geezer pass) today, I still would pay the money.

Edit to add: forgot to look that I had already posted, oh well.

That's all right, we probably forgot you posted earlier too!

 

[izifaddag]

I just paid $80 for a life membership at a FS place north of Jackson Hole up in the Tetons. I have been parking at truck-stops and Walmarts so haven't used it yet but I am sure it is going to be of great help. I appreciate the 50% off but free is even better.

 

[bullfrog]

Using it as a day use and sleeping just outside of the park on federal lands has worked well for us in the past.

 

[Tony's Dream]

I got mine right after I retired when we went to Yellowstone (for $10!).  I don't remember all the times I have used it.  If I were getting the (I call it the geezer pass) today, I still would pay the money.

Edit to add: forgot to look that I had already posted, oh well.

I look forward to the day when I can think and say what I want. No worries about upsetting your coworkers....when I am retired! 

 

[Oldwolf]

I use mine when staying at National Forest campgrounds.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[WanderingRose]

They are also good for half price at Corps of Engineer campgrounds, which are almost always paved, beautiful, well kept, have electricity, showers, and sometimes more.

 

[Tony's Dream]

I got one as a disabled vet and it cost me $10. I plan to visit all the national parks, national monuments, and historical sties when I retire in May 2022. As I plan all of my trips......this pass will save me over $1,000 in entry fees and camping fess! Diffently a good bargan.

 

[bullfrog]

As a disabled vet it should have been free.

 

[Cammalu]

As a disabled vet it should have been free.

I thought so too. I think mine was free but it was 100 years ago

 

[kklowell]

I got my pass last May. So far it has saved me 3 times more than it cost me. It even worked here in Puerto Rico and got us into a national park. Turns out it covered me and 3 other adults.

 

[bullfrog]

As long as one person has a pass in a vehicle that has 5 or fewer other passengers they usually get in free as well.

 

[skibumone]

America the Beautiful passes do not work for concessionaires that operate facilities on public land. I had a militant attendant tell me I was trespassing bc I kept throwing away the fee envelop they passive aggressively left on my windshield multiple times per day. While my ATB pass was hanging in plain sight on the rearview. Don't remember the exact site, was someplace on the Central CA Coast, after I left Esalen/Big Sur but before Santa Barbara. Was a long winding 300 yard path down to the beach, every time I came back to camp I had a new fee envelope on the windshield.

I ended up putting a $20 bill in the fee tube when I left, only because they were working during Covid when most other Fed/State parks were closed.

 

[abnorm]

^ Duh !......we don't condone "theft of services"

Bullfrog said:
"As a disabled vet it should have been free."..........................$10 Postage Fee

 

[bullfrog]

Concessionaires do operate monopolies within the national parks but you only pay when you use them and they are usually improved campgrounds or rental services. Admission to the park and access to public areas are covered by your pass.

 

[egilbe]

The America the Beautiful pass doesn't cover all National Parks and Monuments. The same concessionaire runs Death Valley and Imperial Sand Dunes. Only Imperial Sand Dunes requires an additional fee. That is the only one I've found, I'm sure there are others in the National Park system.

 

[bullfrog]

^^^Permit fees in special use areas like off road vehicle areas are not covered by the America the Beautiful Pass but to my knowledge access to all National Parks and Recreational Areas are. Good idea to check ahead but in most instances it works.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

America the Beautiful passes do not work for concessionaires that operate facilities on public land.....

From the NPS website:
"The [senior] pass provides access to and use of Federal recreation sites that charge an Entrance or Standard Amenity [fee]."
"The [senior] pass is non-transferable and generally does NOT cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessionaires."

https://www.nps.gov/piro/planyourvisit/americathebeautiful.htm

 

[beavergod1]

America the Beautiful Pass did not cover entry fees to Waco Mammoth National Monument exhibit building. Only access to the grounds...