National Park & Federal Land Passes Explained [Changes for 2023]

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[@TheOldSailorGMC]

As a retired NPS fee manager this is one of the best explanations of park passes I've seen. GREAT JOB!!!!

[@RVMiles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davenstorm7271]

​@RV Miles Sir would a senior pass work the same at state parks ?

[@Department_of_Justice]

If only there were a list. I'm going to Tahoe and one area says it's managed by Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Mgt Unit.. Inspiration Point etc. I can't figure out if it applies or not.

[@davenstorm7271]

@Military Industrial Complex Looking 4 Next War Yes any national forest a senior pass will apply to or a army core of engineers will also . You get 50% off

[@davenstorm7271]

@Military Industrial Complex Looking 4 Next War I have the book on all of army core of engineers campground, I can check that Tahoe area for you if you like , but if it's national forest ran or a national park then yep 50% off .

[@talldude5841]

I purchased the senior pass for my entire lifetime when I was 62. I cannot tell you how much I have saved over the years. Way into the thousands I believe. What a deal.

[@MrA1582000]

Been using my pass for 16 years….mucho money saved.

[@suew4609]

Yes! I'm so glad I found this video, as I was having trouble understanding our government's website. They like to confuse us!

[@RiverWoods111]

I have heard other channels cover this topic and never mention the access pass. Thank you for covering that, as I am autistic, and it is a permanent disability. I have both a letter from my doctor and SS letter. I also appreciate that you went into the fact that it wasn't just mobility disability. Although I have that too, my letters are for autism. I am going full-time next year and having a lifetime pass will be a super savings for me.

[@RVMiles]

So glad to be of help!

[@altha-rf1et]

I have Parkinson I think it is 3 or 4 people can go with you free with you. I was in St. Augstine, I got me a free pass to go to the fort, my wife and neice and nephew got to go free

[@RiverWoods111]

@@altha-rf1et That is so interesting!

[@beckymeyer5199]

You can also walk into some Forest Service offices and get your pass; call ahead to see if that service is offered. I walked in, announced I was 62, and was met with grins and a form to fill out to get my senior pass. They could give me the pass immediately. Believe me, it paid for itself in the first month.

[@thomastuorto9929]

Me too! Unfortunately, the NRA that is 8 miles from my home charges $100 for parking from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Night time fishing permit is $50. There are areas where you can park for free but usually have no benefit for the areas I visit. I'm glad it is there for me to use & hope to hit some of the larger more famous NP's in 2023 & beyond.

[@thecraftyvoyager1232]

I’m happy you mentioned about parks run by a concession. I worked in a national forest last summer and people would get so mad at me when I said the pass didn’t work there. I’d even explain why and point out that it’s mentioned on the back of the pass. Theyd still get mad

[@0HARE]

I got my Lifetime Senior Pass when I was 62, six years ago, at Big Bend N.P. Best $10 I ever spent. The price has gone up to $80 for that same pass now. Still a bargain. Thanks, Jason, for a great explanation of all these passes. It is super helpful. Happy Camping.

[@trnrbrnr]

We call it the "Golden Geezer Pass". Guard it with your life!

[@altha-rf1et]

even though I did get mine for free I did donate money for the forest each time I go in It is a good cause

[@hollyreilly4818]

Our senior pass gets us into the big parks. But, it also gets us into the small local federal parks. We can take a walk around Lynx Lake (20 mi away). Or, stroll around the south rim of the Grand Canyon (60 mi away). We do these things often. So, we have saved alot of $$. Thanks for the in-depth info. You do a stellar job of explaining it all.

[@joycecaudell6047]

That was very helpful information given in a very calm and organized way. Thanks!

[@randimerrington6842]

Thanks for the great information, definitely helps make sense of the variety of passes and what they do and don't cover.

[@thetommygexperience5038]

Thank you. I needed this.

[@rimaskalesnykas7759]

Very informative and comprehensively so. Thank you! 😃

[@ABirdWoman]

THanks for this comprehensive overview of all the available passes!!

[@anthonypaulmannion7354]

That was a very good summary of a complicated system! Thanks for the video.

[@pau1h0ffman]

I helped create the America the Beautiful Pass (all federal agencies) in the early 2000s, and I led the effort to merge all federal online recreation reservation systems into one-Recreation.gov. A couple of efforts that I am proud to say “better serve the American people.”

[@RVMiles]

Congratulations! Truly a great accomplishment.

[@RustyOutdoors101]

Thanks for sharing this information.

[@ozlozano9470]

Thank you for your help. I’m so happy you are able to do this. I’m sure it will work on my next visit when I retire.

[@tinawiththelakeexchange2093]

Clear explanation, as always, thanks Jason!

[@kimyeecarroll01]

Excellent breakdown of the passes, thank you!

[@jamesr208]

Excellent info. And loving the “moment of zen” at the end of the vids.

[@carolynknisely2383]

That was excellent. Thank you!!!

[@billsmith3250]

Fantastic info and presentation. I'm sharing.

[@randys3010]

I doubt there is a better explanation of this topic anywhere. Really well done.

[@syedjavedahmad9719]

Thanks a lot learned a lot from you. Very detailed oriented Information. ❤

[@SMP-RN]

Great explanation. Thank you.

[@TonyBlackwell-by2lk]

Great job!!! I understood everything. Well Done.

[@sallyfisher7911]

Very helpful information. I volunteer at a national wildlife refuge and so many people have no idea about the types of passes.

[@sherriweber7105]

Thank you Jason for this information on the park passes and the way to use them if you lose your pass. This helps. My mom had a lifetime pass from a park in Michigan and we were able to use it for here. Which so nice. I think we might have to get a new one though since my mom passed away. Thank you again Jason. Have a great weekend. See you soon!

[@normgibson6565]

I bought my senior pass at a Forest Service office back when it only cost $10.00 it payed for it's self the first time I used it.

[@caniacstevehenderson7115]

Thanks for sharing the information

[@DianaWilson]

Very comprehensive guide. Thank you so much. There is definitely a lot to consider there.

[@RVMiles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bretbowlin2617]

Great content and great timing! Thank you!

[@RVMiles]

You're so welcome!

[@edcook9747]

Bought the golden age (senior pass now) when I turned 62, for $20. Bought it at Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego. In those days it was only available for a year. I turned 62 very close to when the window closed!! Drove down to san Diego (90 miles) specifically to get it. Whew! I am now 80. Best purchase I ever made! Entrance fees keep going up so its value keeps going up.

[@susanpremo8068]

Used our senior pass a lot! It's a nice discount, good information Jason. 👍

[@perrymahnke886]

Awesome video with very useful information also thank you for taking the time & sharing.

[@RVMiles]

My pleasure!

[@KL00100]

Everything gets more complicated. Thank you for educating us.

[@_pnjtravels]

Thank you so much for sharing this. We had no idea about the Access pass which we will be applying for very soon. We continue to be big fans of your content and enjoy that we have so much in common with you and Abby. Hope to someday run into you on the road. Until then, keep up the amazing work.

[@RVMiles]

So glad to point you that direction!

[@Maggie-Gardener-Maker]

WOW that was great information! I got my lifetime Senior Pass back when it was still only $10 and I got it at a park in person.

[@quil10it]

So thorough thank you.

[@Wklambert]

Very thorough, thank you! I've been encouraging my son, stationed overseas, to take advantage of this opportunity while he's still young, lol. We have our passes, and really enjoy the discounts on camping. 😁

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

Thank you! I didn't know about the window sticker.

[@cvx2dog549]

Lots of good information we weren’t aware of, thanks!

[@RVMiles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@willgraves5288]

Thanks Jason! A clear and concise explanation, as always. Just a year to go before I qualify for the Senior Pass.

[@mikemanjo2458]

Good explanation! Thanks!

[@Herk988]

Thank you, appreciate the information.

[@RVMiles]

You bet!

[@traveldreamer4616]

Thank you for the information and clarifications. I am going to apply for the access pass.

[@RVMiles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stanburman9978]

Excellent video with great information. Thank you. I am retired from NPS and know how complicated it can get. You have presented the pass info in as digestible a form as I have ever seen.

[@lilydonovan6792]

Thank you so much for all in great information!!!

[@RVMiles]

You are so welcome!

[@mikewoods6474]

Thanks for the great information.

[@RVMiles]

Our pleasure!

[@mjones7794]

Great summation. This should get a million+ views before too long. It took me forever to figure all this out on my own.

[@samwise7104]

I applied for the All Access pass today thx to my permanent hearing loss in my left ear. All I needed was a note from my audiologist and $10 for the online processing fee! Easily one of the best purchases I've made!! Thx for the great video!

[@RVMiles]

Excellent!

[@kevinhuang3895]

Thank you so much!!!!

[@RVMiles]

You're welcome!

[@JDBoggs-py7mp]

Great info. Thanks

[@RVMiles]

Our pleasure!

[@juliebolduc802]

Very informative! I didn’t realize the National parks offed the lifetime passes for persons with a disability. I will definitely apply for both my hubby and I. He already has lifetime to any Florida state parks.

[@davidtotten618]

I have an old farts card and my wife has a access card. She unfortunately has more than one qualifying conditions, but we just used a note from her ENT doctor stating severe hearing loss and five minutes later walked out with a card. We got ours at the park headquarters at south rim. One other benefit of the access pass is that when you make reservations for a handicap camp site if you put in the card number in the site, it pre verifies that you are eligible for that site. Not a big deal but one last thing todo a checking.

[@donwilson1061]

Excellent!! Thank you!!

[@RVMiles]

Very welcome.

[@KRich408]

When we tried getting our passes online we waited forever , I cancelled it and went to a federal Rangers station we walked out that day with our passes. And avoided the $10 service fee. If you have several weeks/months to wait online it is a good option . We were leaving on a trip and couldn't wait for them to ship it.

[@manie9689]

Thank You sir. Very good 👍

[@RVMiles]

Most welcome

[@yooperdog]

👋 from the Yoop We got the Senior pass, no more buying passes for us. Saved us big bucks. You need to be U.S. citizen or permanent resident on the senior pass. ( wife is Canadian and not U.S. citizen pass is hers) Wish they would do this for fishing license.

[@dougwelch8890]

Thanks Jason. I have the senior lifetime pass. Best $20 I ever spent. I bought mine at a Forest Service ranger office.

[@zygmuntziokowski7877]

Good Information! Thanks!

[@RVMiles]

Very welcome!

[@grob25]

I am retired military. I never minded paying for the annual pass. It helps support the parks? (I tell myself that my $80.00 made the difference. LOL) I always encouraged the current service members to take the pass and go see this beautiful country we have the honor of serving. I now cherish my pass more than if I paid for it. What an honor. I love our national parks. I live in Washington state, we have several parks here.

[@smokingjc5327]

Great information 👍

[@quicksoncamping2039]

Thank you for this video, right after I saw it I applied for the Military Lifetime Pass and got it days later. Thank you so much for the details.

[@RVMiles]

You’re so welcome! Thank you for your service.

[@SpykersB]

Your gov should link your vid to their site, it’s very good overall explanation of these passes. 🍻

[@davenehilla9610]

Wow! Nicely done!

[@SmokyMountainBlessed]

thanks for the info

[@RVMiles]

You bet!

[@mnmn926]

Excellent breakdown

[@toshibavoodoo]

Good info

[@bobs4103]

Very thorough explanation! I do beg to differ a bit on some state parks. We were told and have successfully used our National Park Pass/Interagency Pass for State park entry fees. As I understand it, if the State park accepts federal funding they are obliged to accept the National Park Pass for entry fees. Some state parks charge an entry fee per person, so one NPP may only cover the entry fee for one person. Speaking from experience, we have used our NPP in Utah and Arizona at parks like Dead Horse State Park and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. Thanks again for the excellent video.

[@lindagrant3232]

When I sell the sr/access pass, I always tell people it doesn't hurt to ask at non federal places if they will accept it!

[@Donavery1]

You might want to mention that some parks (Yosemite, Glacier) are now charging a $2 Peak Hour Reservation Fee that you have to purchase in advance. You can't purchase this at the entrance.

[@mtower235]

This was very informative

[@edwardrhoads7283]

Wow, this video just saved me $80 as I just happen to have a 4th grader and we were going to buy a pass to do a national park tour this summer.

[@RVMiles]

Awesome! Have a really great summer adventure.

[@ayalaraquel2371]

Great! Also Muir woods need a parking lot reservation and fee! Also you can buy the Annual Pass NP in The store REI❤❤

[@FotoMatt]

Great video! The USGS should post your video on their homepage! Maybe they can barter for a lifetime pass?

[@lja1229]

My Son has the 4th grade pass. And where I live (just a few miles south of the Grand Canyon) with that pass we are able to get a Christmas Tree cutting permit for the Kaibab NF. Great deal.

[@brianroth7852]

Thanks Jason,. Forwarding this video to my daughters since one has lopis and the other fibromyalgia. Safe travels and roads Brian and Cindy"xtreambydesign with passion"

[@RVMiles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bnewland1958]

Thanks, I just let my son know he has a Veteran life time pass waiting for him!

[@bigfokkerdog]

Veteran pass works great. I can also verify that they have the new passes at the gates, or at least at Lake Mead NRA. Ranger had all of the new issue passes ready for sale or issue.

[@altha-rf1et]

You guys and gals deserve the free past So what is the water level like at Lake Mead n

[@ams30gts]

Once you have your pass, do you also have to show proof when you enter a park? Or will just your drivers license (doesn't have Veteran designation on it) work?

[@bigfokkerdog]

@@ams30gts You have to have your Pass with you and show ID. Your license does not need to show Veteran designation, but the name does have to match with the signature on the pass

[@ams30gts]

@@bigfokkerdog perfect thanks

[@bigfokkerdog]

@@ams30gts You know, if you have no VA identification, it is pretty simple to get it put on your license at you local DMV, Just take your license and DD214 in and they should update your license for no cost to have the V designator put on.

[@SMButler]

Glad my wife and I each got the Senior when it was $10 for lifetime. If we are in a large group we can split up and get a couple cars in!

[@terridee9637]

Me tooooo

[@kyliem5812]

i bought my first annual pass last February at the Pinnacles NP entrance station, super easy and fast, she took my card, punched the month, and gave me the card! super glad to hear that 80% of my money stayed there, I'm gonna get a new one next February there for sure!

[@davidpatrick1813]

Complicated but very helpful.

[@shumandaniele]

Love the outros.

[@altha-rf1et]

I'm disable due to Parkinsons, I got a free Park pass and use it,, Do not get to walk the trails like I use to. I just like going to the panic area and sit out side some

[@forrestcommander6283]

I got the Access Pass when I showed them my VHIC, because it says “service-connected.” They didn’t care about my VA rating, just that my card says that.

[@jameshodgins1937]

I just wanted to say thanks. You and your wife do a great job bringing us RV related news.

[@RVMiles]

Our pleasure! Thanks for being here!

[@texaslonestarrider]

Very Cool! 😎

[@ord2mia]

Exceptional channel

[@hookeye2]

The concessioners are now using public property as private property, only open when they can make money, defect private property, closed otherwise preventing the public from using public property. All federal agencies are covered by the basic law, "All federal agencies shall act in manner for the benefit of the American people." This "reservation" system is unfair and absolutely wrong. Only those who can plan sixth months in advance can camp. Wage workers and the like cannot make those. Hence, some people make multiple reservations, then cancel later, usually at the last minute . Thus, it prevents others from camping. It is public land not private. It's just more of the gradual privatization of the public lands...

[@larryfromwisconsin9970]

Five years or so ago just before the price of the Golden pass increased I ordered it online with the website saying it could take up to 12 weeks to arrive but it never came. I guess I just need to buy the Senior pass again.

[@Skidaho1]

Good video!

[@turnbullstravels735]

The senior lifetime pass is the best deal going, especially for rvers. Half price campgrounds are a huge part of how we can stay on budget.

[@pfcrow]

We purchased our America the Beautiful pass last year at REI. I think they charge $79.99, and it meant having it with us before we showed up, but we made a point of buying it the same month as when we left. You should have explained how they mark the month that you bought the pass, and that it lasts through the end of that month the next year, so it's actually a 13-month pass.

[@nn3514]

They didnt mark mine. How do they? I am keeping my receipt with it for proof of purchase.

[@pfcrow]

@@nn3514 They punched a hole in it marking the month of purchase. If they forgot to mark it, do keep the receipt.

[@kneepayne]

Military Pass: I can confirm that vets get a lifetime pass. I was renewing mine each year and on my last Joshua Pass and they finally gave me a lifetime pass. There are two VA vards. There is your VA medical card, which can work, there is a secondary VA id card that you can order. I should note mine took like 2 months. I just tell vets to get the VETERAN stamp on your license. Each state is a little different but it is worth it. That is all the rangers need. For all passes, remember that some trailheads for National Forest Trails that normally charge for parking will allow you to use the pass (leave it visible).

[@bah5310]

Alcatraz is not covered by the pass and I think the statue of liberty. We've used our passes many times.

[@michellebarlondsmith6243]

Great explanation am so glad you have included disability information

[@crazychick]

I'm disabled I've had my pass for 5 years. I'm very appreciative of being able to get it even if I'm in my 40s

[@lindagrant3232]

If you buy a park specific pass and then decide to see other parks, you can do an upgrade. They will TAKE that pass and you would pay the difference between it and $80. The new pass would be punched for the same month as the old pass. Also, states often have passes for state parks for disability or for vets, maybe seniors.

[@haveaknifeday]

I am a service related 80 percent disabled veteran and I get the access pass. It's worth the effort to get.

[@ddawe31635]

When purchasing the Military pass, you must put the exact name as it appears on your document, ie in my case Dr. License. It will put your middle name in front of your last name. Kinda not exactly as my name is...I tried to purchase it. We will see what happens

[@brianwilliams3146]

The Park Wolf app looks perfect!