National Park Pass Question

[Gadget Man]

Thanks to the members of this forum, I discovered that I was eligible for an “America the Beautiful” disabled park pass. I received my pass in the mail yesterday. It comes with what appears to a plastic placard that hangs on my rear view mirror. There aren’t any instructions however on how to use the pass. Do I carry the access card with me or do I hang it on my mirror along with the placard? I’m a little confused.

Thanks!

Craig

[BFlinn181]

You are supposed to hang the placard with your pass in the slits to display it when parked. I never have since I don't want to temp anyone to break into my vehicle. I guess if I visited a place that had closely monitored parking looking for scofflaws I might hang it, otherwise it's in my wallet.

[rcraig19]

Originally Posted by Craig P.

Thanks to the members of this forum, I discovered that I was eligible for an “America the Beautiful” disabled park pass. I received my pass in the mail yesterday. It comes with what appears to a plastic placard that hangs on my rear view mirror. There aren’t any instructions however on how to use the pass. Do I carry the access card with me or do I hang it on my mirror along with the placard? I’m a little confused. Thanks! Craig

How did you go about getting your disabled pass? I am pretty sure my wife would qualify. Just getting started MHing and certain we would use the pass. I will not be 62 until June so her qualifying now would be a better way to go.

[fletch460]

Rcraig, google America The Beautiful and the song and park pass will show up with inst.

[jackfish]

Many individual parks will have information about validating your entrance if hangtag theft has been a problem.

10. How do I show my pass at a site that doesn't have an entrance station? At Federal recreation sites that don't have entrance stations you need to display your pass or show proof of pass ownership to compliance officers via one of the two following methods:
HANGTAGS
A pass can either be displayed on your rearview mirror using a free hangtag or on your dashboard with the signature side showing. Remember, the hangtag itself is only a way to display your Pass, and is not valid for entry unless it holds a valid Pass.
DECALS
If you own an open-topped vehicle (jeep, motorcycle, etc.) you may obtain a free decal to attach to your vehicle that will serve as proof of payment at sites that don't have a staffed entrance station.
Decals are issued on annual basis, even for owners of lifetime Senior/Access passes
Decals are NOT valid for entry at staffed entrance sites - you MUST show your pass
Decals must be obtained in person and you must show the following: your Pass, driver's license and vehicle registration. The name on all three documents must match.
All sites that issue passes issue free hangtags

[Gadget Man]

Originally Posted by rcraig19

How did you go about getting your disabled pass? I am pretty sure my wife would qualify. Just getting started MHing and certain we would use the pass. I will not be 62 until June so her qualifying now would be a better way to go.

Here's a link to the USGS website: Access pass


Thanks for the replies folks. So in other words, the mirror placard is used only for parking (barring theft), other than that, I should carry the Access Pass with me.

Thanks!

Craig

[texnet]

Some parks we have been in require you to park your vehicle then take the pass inside to register. I just carry mine in my billfold.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Carry it. If there is a gate attendant or a registration office for the park, you will need to show your pass and probably another ID to prove the pass is yours and not "borrowed".

As explained above, the hang tag is for parks where there is no entry check or registration and the rangers rove around checking passe on parked cars. But if you registered at entry, you will receive a park registration "pass" and that goes on the car/RV instead.

[PyrateSilly]

We got our passes at the gate of one the parks. I showed the paperwork to the Ranger from the VA and my ID and the Ranger filled out his side of stuff and gave me the pass. Then he asked for Thom's ID and gave him one too.

[Dog Folks]

US Army Corp Of Engineers also honors this pass.

They have mostly attended gate houses and you just need to show the pass and ID once upon registration.

[jpharley]

We did not get a hang tag with ours, just the card. We picked ours up at a ranger station at a national park. We presented proper documentation, filled out a form, and we were handed a pass.

[lenkerb]

the pass does not work at Mt Rushmore....

[jpharley]

Rushmore parking is run by a private vendor and the attraction itself has no entrance fee.

[bdickson]

Originally Posted by lenkerb

the pass does not work at Mt Rushmore....

the pass covers the basic entry fee at most parks. Additional charges like parking, tours etc may not be covered.