National Parks Pass - when to get?
Jun 5th, 2007, 10:33 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
National Parks Pass - when to get?
Has anyone ordered the National Park pass from the nps website? How long did it take to come in? I'm trying to time my order to get the longest use out of it. I don't want to wait until we get out to YNP to buy it because we are going in July and I worry about crowds and lines. Thanks!!
Jun 5th, 2007, 11:03 AM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jun 5th, 2007, 11:09 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 23,138
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We bought one 2 years ago in July - entered at Grand Teton, but minimal lines there or at YNP - and we stayed outside Park at each stop so had to enter and leave all days - a minute or 2 wait, even in lines to buy a pass.
Jun 30th, 2007, 04:13 AM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have always bought mine at the first park enterance i'm visiting. although worth it, quite a hike in price. i still have mine from last year (which will still be good for my yellowstone trip in sept.) which was much less - i think it used to be 50.00 (that was a total bargain) with the price at 80 i think they will sell less. if you do the math there is little savings for a famiy trip to two or three parks.
Jun 30th, 2007, 04:54 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I bought mine from the nps website in May for June traveling. I got it within 8 days, used it already like 5 times in different national parks, so I already got my money back in less than a month!!! I much rather have it ahead of time than tying a crowded gate with a transaction that is so painfree and easy when done online....!
Jun 30th, 2007, 06:02 AM
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 16,907
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You have to be in line anyway, so handing over $ and getting a card instantly seems plenty easy...unfortunate that the price of a Golden Eagle skyrocketed for 2007; however, if you bought one near the end of the year, the old price was still good for 12 months.
Jun 30th, 2007, 06:03 AM
#9
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The first NP pass I bought cost all of $8.00.
http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm
If you are a frequent visitor to Federal Lands that require a fee they are more than worth what you will pay.
http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm
If you are a frequent visitor to Federal Lands that require a fee they are more than worth what you will pay.
Jun 30th, 2007, 07:30 AM
#10
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The one year starts the first time you use it, not when you order it. If you use it for the first time on July 1st, it is good until July 31st of next year.
I've always ordered mine ahead of time. Comes with my name embossed on it.
I've always ordered mine ahead of time. Comes with my name embossed on it.
Jul 1st, 2007, 07:59 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sylvia-- from personal experience, it is a no-brainer that handing over the Pass rather than performing the transaction at a crowded gate is the smart way to do it. There is a requirement for ID verrification and signatures of two people when handing over the card, they go over the rules on applying the card, etc... Again from personal experience, done both ways, this is a no-brainer, bring the Pass with you if you can .
rich-- the One Year starts with the date of sale, not the first time you use it. Check the nps site for rules.
rich-- the One Year starts with the date of sale, not the first time you use it. Check the nps site for rules.
Jul 1st, 2007, 11:02 AM
#13
I just bought a pass 3 weeks ago.
You buy it the forst time you enter a national Park. It takes a minute or two.
Be aware that if you're 62 or over and a US resident or citizen you can but a life-time senior pass for $10.
That pass is also good in place of a Red Rock pass in the Sedona area and a 50% discount in special use parks (picnis areas) such as around Sedona (Westfork, etc).
When you buy the pass ask for a rear-mirror hang tag. They give you one, they write your pass number on it and it has corners in which to fit the pass when hanging from the mirror.
You buy it the forst time you enter a national Park. It takes a minute or two.
Be aware that if you're 62 or over and a US resident or citizen you can but a life-time senior pass for $10.
That pass is also good in place of a Red Rock pass in the Sedona area and a 50% discount in special use parks (picnis areas) such as around Sedona (Westfork, etc).
When you buy the pass ask for a rear-mirror hang tag. They give you one, they write your pass number on it and it has corners in which to fit the pass when hanging from the mirror.
