gunner369 wrote:
Does any body know rather these are still valid, I have heard reports that when they try to use them, they are charged $65 to enter a park, but as I read online on the National Park websites, they say the older passports are still valid
I think all who have used their passes and responded have verified they are still valid, but here is some info from the NPS website which states the same.
Is the Golden Age Pass still valid?
The Golden Age Passport will remain VALID throughout the lifetime of the holder. If the pass holder wishes to upgrade to the Interagency Senior Pass, they may do so in person at any Federal Recreation Area. The cost to upgrade is $10.00 from a plastic Golden Age Passport or FREE from a paper Golden Age Passport.Sep 1, 2017
Lifetime Passes - Zion National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/lifetime-passes.htmWhat is a Golden Age Passport?
Golden Age Passport was a pass issued by the National Park Service until January 1, 2007. The Senior Pass is a lifetime entrance pass to United States national parks for those 62 years and older. The Senior Pass REPLACES the Golden Age Passport. This is a lifetime pass for US citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. The pass provides access to, and use of, Federal recreation sites that charge an entrance or standard amenity fee.
Please note that the price of the lifetime Senior Pass increased to $80 on August 28, 2017. It is for U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. It may be obtained in person at a federal recreation site or through the mail using the application form.
The "Access Pass" is different than the "Golden Age Access Pass". It is for persons with a permanent disability.
The Access Pass is available free of charge at any National Park fee area. To obtain the pass through the Internet please visit America The Beautiful - The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass website. It is a free, lifetime pass - available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability (does not have to be a 100% disability) - that provides admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies.
Passes for Veterans
While in a park, active duty members of the military and their dependents can pick up a free annual pass to all national parks. Disabled veterans can get a free lifetime pass. The passes provide free entrance to more than 2,000 national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests, and other federal recreational areas.
Here is the link to the NPS webpage for current types of passes.
https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htmHope that helps.