National Parks Offer Golden Age Passport
Professor David J. Demko, PhD
AgeVenture News Service
Grandparents looking to spend quality time with their grandchildren will find countless opportunities to do so at America's 384 National Parks. The newest National Parks include the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument (photo) and the First Ladies National Historic Site in Canton, Ohio. Starting now, begin sharing the great outdoors with your grandkids with your Golden Age Passport.
Travel is the number one way senior adults spend their disposable income, averaging 15 days a year on trips. Of the 70 million U.S. adults who take extended trips each year, 14 million include grandchildren. In response to this mature travel trend, the National Parks are making it easier for senior adults to take advantage of the great outdoors by offering a Golden Age Passport.
The Golden Age Passport is a lifetime entrance pass to national parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and national wildlife refuges that charge an entrance fee. Those who qualify are citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are age 62 or older.
The Golden Age Passport admits the pass signee and any accompanying passengers in a private vehicle if a park has a per vehicle entrance fee. A private vehicle is defined as any noncommercial vehicle that is being used for private recreational purposes. Where a per person entrance fee is charged, the Golden Age Passport admits the pass signee, spouse, and children.
The Golden Age Passport also provides a 50% discount on federal use fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, and tours. In some cases where use fees are charged, only the pass signee will be given the 50% price reduction. The Passport is nontransferable and does not cover or reduce special recreation permit fees or fees charged by concessioners.
A Golden Age Passport must be obtained in person at a federal area where an entrance fee is charged. There is a one-time $10 processing charge to obtain the Golden Age Passport. Because the pass is available only to citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are 62 years of age or older, applicants must show proof of age, such as a state driver's license, birth certificate, or similar document.
National Parks are home to 168 endangered or threatened species. As a result, our National Parks receive 287 million visits each year. That's more visits than the combined traffic at all Disney, Universal Studio, and NFL games. For additional information about the pass, or all that the National Parks have to offer, log on to www.nationalparks.org or call toll-free: 1-888-GO-PARKS.
See related articles in AgeVenture archives.
Travel Is Mature Thing To Do In Aging USA
Vacations Remove Bags Under Your Eyes
Active Senior Travelers Seek Cultural Experiences
White Water Wilderness Rafting for Seniors
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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