13 replies to this topic

[Charles Amos]

I will soon become old as dirt soon (62) and wish to acquire a National Park Senior Pass prior to making reservations at National Parks for upcoming trip. I know that I have to do so in person. I live in Dothan, Alabama (southeast corner of the state). Where is the closest place to Dothan I can purchase the Senior Pass?. It looks like it is a long way and may not be practical to do so.

If I cannot purchase one prior to the trip, does anyone know if I can make reservations bases on purchasing one at the park. In the past I had to pay at the time I made the reservations, which would be before purchasing the Senior Pass.

Thanks in advance.

Charles Amos

[highwayfl]

Anyplace that accepts the Golden Age Passport Card will issue you one, as I understand it. I went to a Federal park south of daytrona Beach, Fl to surf fish once, with my son, and the man at the front gate, noticing my gray hair, I suppose, suggested that if I purchase the card for $5.00 the entrance fee would be waived. So, in a brilliant moment, my young son said, "He is, I'll pay for it" and did. The Golden Age Passport Card was cheaper than the entrance fee per person. I have used it many, many times since for a hell of a savings!

[NomadWoman]

Hi Charles, it looks like that the Federal campgrounds around the Walter F. George lake would be the closest places to get your Federal Senior Pass - i.e. White Oak Creek, Bluff Creek, or Cotton Hill (GA). I didn't find any other Federal places - monuments, other Federal parks close by. I stayed at Cotton Hill and know there is an office serving those lakes where you could get your Pass.

If using Recreation.gov (or ReserveAmerica.com) and you want to get your Sr discount, you will need to have your Pass # in hand when reserving on line, otherwise you don't get it then. I did have in only one case, where I was given the discount, after arriving, at the Federal campground when I had previously reserved on line without entering my Sr Pass #. I think they had to cancel the reservation, I paid a penalty, but the discount far exceeded the penalty because I stayed a week. I have a hunch if you should ask, they will tell you that the discount can't be given - it maybe a Park by Park situation as to whether the camp hosts will do it.

A birth certificate is required when getting your Sr Pass, but I got mine without it and by signing an affidavit that I was of age and I believe I showed my drivers license. Hope this info is helpful.
Emily

[Charles Amos]

NomadWoman:

Thanks a lot. I just got off the phone with the folks at Walter George and will go there to pick one up. It is about a hour away.

Charles Amos

[NomadWoman]

Oh, by the way - Welcome to the "Golden Years" and the senior discount era years of your life.
Emily

[davidandrachelf]

When we got our Senior Pass the closest place for us to get it was a National Forest Ranger office.

[DesertHawk]

Yep! Welcome aboard youngster, . Got mine a little over a year ago, soon as I could after my B-day. I had to drive at least 4 miles to get it at the local BLM office. Lucky to have one in town for sure, otherwise, it would have been more like an hours drive to a forest service site. I can't remember if I took a birth certificate, but if they were asking for one on the web site, I must have. It was the one thing I can remember wanting and anxious for a birthday to hurry up and get here.....starting at my 60th birthday, I believe. It has been great having for sure. Fun to show and not have to pay.

Edited by DesertHawk, 17 November 2009 - 09:32 PM.

[Chris Z]

Picked ours up at Julian Price Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway and I am positive that we wouldn't have had our birth certificate with us. Didn't know anthing about it at the time but ranger suggested it and it paid for itself right then and there.
By the way, does anybody know of a list of places that give discounts for this? I know national parks and corp. of eng'r campgrounds but I think some states give same discount too. Would be nice to have a list printed.

Edited by Chris Z, 18 November 2009 - 11:36 AM.

[Charles Amos]

Got it today at the Fish and Wildlife office in Eufula, Alabama, about an hour away. Very nice lady helped me and did not require a birth certificate, but had it in case. Now I can make reservations for next camping season at the old folks rate.
Thanks.

Charles

[Dutchman]

Last time I camped in Louisiana their State Parks gave 50% discount to Golden age cards

[Alan #1119]

OA does have its perks!

[PRTexas]

We camped in LA this fall and they do give the Golden Age passport or Senior Pass or whatever they're calling it now discount.

FYI, the forest service campground in MS only gave the discount on the campground fee, not the water and electric fee which was separate but we still saved $7.00.

We got ours when we went to Big Bend three years ago. It was $10.00 and saved us the $20.00 entrance fee if I recall. A true no-brainer. We're looking forward to retirement in another year or so and getting to use it a LOT more.

Reine

[NomadWoman]

Having that Sr Pass helps tremendously when you come to those $25/vehicle entrance fees, like at Bryce in Utah, and you are traveling solo!
Emily

[Muttley]

Your drivers license should be sufficient proof of age.

Mine cost me $10, but it is the best bargain ever.