Beginning Monday, Aug. 28, seniors will be expected to pay $80 instead of the usual $10 for a lifetime pass to national parks across the U.S.
The dramatic change in price comes after Congress voted to increase the price of the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass in an effort to support maintenance projects at national parks and federal recreational lands.
The price increase is the first of its kind as the senior pass has cost $10 since 1994.
Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident age 62 or older can still purchase the lifetime senior pass for $10 until Sunday, before the price increase goes into effect.The pass allows holders to have complete access to over 2,000 sites and parks across the nation.
Legislation introduced a new annual senior pass that qualified persons can purchase for $20, which allows them unlimited access for a year. Anyone who purchases annual senior passes for four years is eligible to trade them in for a lifetime pass at no additional charge.
Anyone who would like to purchase a lifetime pass before the price increase goes into effect can do so at a national park or federal recreation area that charges an entrance fee. With an additional charge of $10 for processing, the lifetime pass can be purchased by mail or online.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this article erroneously stated U.S. citizens or permanent residents over the age of 61 can purchase the discounted pass. The age has been corrected to age 62 or older.
