Senior parks pass price increase causes surge in demand

A senior pass for national and federal parks is increasing in August by $70 and that is causing a surge in demand.

Park Ranger Denise Mcinturff at the McNary National Wildlife Refuge says the pass has been $10 since 1994, but the fee will be changed to now support maintenance projects at national and federal parks.

"The sale of the senior passes now will be deposited into two new fund, the Second Century Endowment and the National Parks Centennial Challenge Fund, and it is hoping that these fees will help pay for some of the backlog," says Mcinturff.

The deadline to get a pass for $10 is August 25th, and she says they've seen a steady increase of 3 people a day, but online it is a several month wait to get the pass before it is $80.00. The pass will wave all entrance fees and day use at federal and national parks and may provide senior discounts for tours and campsites.

Seniors over the age of 62 can get a pass at the McNary National Wildlife Refuge, on 64 Maple Street in Burbank, WA, 99323. The online method will cost an additional $10.00 for a processing fee.

If seniors wait until after the deadline they can buy a lifetime pass for $80 or a yearly pass for $20 and if you buy those each year for four years, you can then trade it in for a lifetime pass.

You can find more information on the National Parks website or by calling the McNary National Wildlife Refuge at 509-546-8333.