You can buy a Senior Pass in person at any national park entrance, by mail through the U.S. Geological Survey, or online through Recreation.gov — each route takes a different amount of time and requires different documents.
A Senior Pass costs $80 and is a one-time purchase that gives you and up to three companions free entry to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites for the rest of your life. You must be 62 or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to get one. The pass works at all national parks, most national forests, Bureau of Land Management sites, and many state recreation areas that charge an entrance fee.
The three main ways to get a Senior Pass differ in how long they take and what you need to bring. In-person purchase is fastest if you're already at a park. Mail and online orders take longer but work if you want to buy before you travel.
Key Takeaways
- You can buy a Senior Pass at the entrance station of any national park, at most national forests, and at some Bureau of Land Management offices without needing to order ahead.
- Online purchase through Recreation.gov takes about five to seven business days for the pass to arrive by mail, and you pay a $2.50 shipping fee on top of the $80 pass cost.
- Mail order through the U.S. Geological Survey takes two to three weeks and requires you to mail a check or money order along with a form and proof of age and citizenship.
- In-person purchase requires a photo ID proving you are 62 or older and proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, such as a passport or birth certificate.
- Once you receive your pass, it has no expiration date and works at any federal recreation site that charges an entrance fee.
Buying in Person at a National Park or Recreation Site
The fastest way to get a Senior Pass is to walk into any national park entrance station and buy one on the spot. You will need to bring a photo ID that shows your date of birth (a driver's license or passport works) and proof that you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. A birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers, or permanent resident card all count as proof.
The entrance fee booth staff will take your information, take a photo of you for the pass, and hand you the pass the same day. You pay $80 in cash, check, or card. If you are visiting a national park that does not have an entrance fee (some smaller parks do not), you can still buy a pass at the visitor center or ranger station.
This route works well if you are already planning a trip to a national park or national forest. You do not need to plan ahead or wait for mail delivery. If you live near a national park or forest, you can also drive there just to buy the pass without paying an entrance fee — staff will let you through to the fee station.
Ordering Online Through Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov is the federal government's recreation booking website and sells Senior Passes online. Go to Recreation.gov, search for "Senior Pass," and follow the checkout steps. You will need to upload a photo of your ID (showing your date of birth) and a photo of your proof of citizenship or permanent residency. You can use your phone camera to take these photos and upload them directly.
The pass costs $80 plus a $2.50 shipping fee, and you can pay by credit or debit card. Recreation.gov will mail the pass to your address, which usually takes five to seven business days after you place the order. You will receive an email confirmation with a tracking number so you can watch for delivery.
This route is useful if you want to buy a pass before a trip but do not live near a park entrance. You do not have to go in person, and the wait is shorter than mail order. The trade-off is the $2.50 shipping fee and the five- to seven-day wait.
Ordering by Mail Through the U.S. Geological Survey
You can also order a Senior Pass by mail directly from the U.S. Geological Survey, which manages the pass program. read the Senior Pass process form from the USGS website (search "Senior Pass process form USGS"), print it, and fill it out by hand. You will need to include a copy of your photo ID and a copy of your proof of citizenship or permanent residency.
Mail the completed form, copies of your documents, and a check or money order for $80 to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. The USGS will process your order and mail the pass back to you, which usually takes two to three weeks from the day they receive your envelope. Include a return address so the pass reaches you.
This route takes the longest but works if you prefer not to upload photos online or do not have a credit card. It also works if you want a record of your order in writing. Keep a copy of everything you mail in case there are questions.
What Documents You Need for Each Route
| Purchase Route | Photo ID Required | Citizenship Proof Required | How to Provide |
|---|---|---|---|
| In Person at Park | Yes, original | Yes, original | Show to staff at entrance station |
| Online (Recreation.gov) | Yes, photo of ID | Yes, photo of document | Upload photos during checkout |
| Mail (USGS) | Yes, copy | Yes, copy | Mail photocopies with process form |
For citizenship proof, acceptable documents include a U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, permanent resident card, or tribal ID card. A driver's license alone does not count as proof of citizenship, even though it counts as photo ID for age verification.
If you do not have a birth certificate or passport, you can order one from your state's vital records office or the State Department. This can take several weeks, so plan ahead if you need to get these documents first.
Using Your Senior Pass Once You Receive It
Once you have your pass in hand, you can use it when ready at any national park, national forest, or other federal recreation site that charges an entrance fee. The pass is a physical card that you show at the entrance booth. It covers your entrance fee and the entrance fees for up to three companions in the same vehicle.
The pass does not cover camping fees, parking fees at trailheads, or fees for activities like boat launches or guided tours — only entrance fees to the site itself. Some national parks charge separate fees for things like the Acadia National Park carriage roads or the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite; your Senior Pass covers the main park entrance but not these add-on fees.
Your pass never expires and does not need to be renewed. You can use it for the rest of your life. If your pass is lost or stolen, you can request a replacement by going back to any park entrance or by contacting the USGS with proof of your original purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a Senior Pass if I am not a U.S. citizen?
You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. If you have a green card or permanent resident status, you can buy a pass by showing your permanent resident card as proof. If you are a temporary resident or on a visa, you are not able to purchase a Senior Pass.
What if I turn 62 before my trip but do not have time to order?
You can buy a pass in person at any national park entrance on the day you arrive, as long as you bring your photo ID and proof of citizenship. This is the fastest option and requires no advance planning. Staff will take your photo and issue the pass the same day.
Can someone else buy a Senior Pass for me if I cannot go in person?
No, you must buy the pass yourself and provide your own photo ID and citizenship documents. The pass is tied to your identity and photo. You can order online or by mail without going to a park, which may be easier than asking someone else to buy it for you.
Do I need to renew my Senior Pass after a certain number of years?
No. A Senior Pass never expires and does not need to be renewed. Once you buy it, you can use it for the rest of your life at any federal recreation site that charges an entrance fee.
What if I lose my pass after I buy it?
You can request a replacement by visiting any national park entrance station or by contacting the USGS with proof of your original purchase, such as a receipt or confirmation email. There may be a small replacement fee, which varies by location.