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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Passes cost will be increased for the first time since 1994.

This August, The National Parks Service reports that additional revenue from the increase in passes will be used to enhance the visitor experience in national parks. Due to legislation passed by the US Congress on December 16th, pass prices will be increased from $10 to $80 for a lifetime parks pass.

“The legislation also establishes an annual Senior Pass for $20,” the parks report. “That pass is valid for one year from the date of issuance. Four annual Senior Passes purchased in prior years can be traded in for a lifetime pass. Additionally, access to the majority of National Park Service sites remains free—only 118 of 417 National Park Service sites have an entrance fee.”

The service says individuals who have already purchased a lifetime pass will be grandfathered in and will not have to buy a new lifetime pass. The increase will take place August 28th, 2017.

Passes provide access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six federal agencies. That includes National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, US Forest Service and the US Army Corps of Engineers.

For more information on the price increase or the National Parks Service, visit www. nps.gov.