Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
in Las Vegas, Nevada, than in Salt Lake City, and most of Utah's national parks are closer to Las
Vegas than to Salt Lake City anyway.
The country's largest RV rental company, with outlets in Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, is
CruiseAmerica
(&
800/671-8042;
www.cruiseamerica.com
). RV rentals are also available from
El Monte RV
(&
888/337-2214;
www.elmonterv.com
)
and
Camping World
(&
877/297-3687;
www.rvrental.com
)
. Information on additional rental agencies, as well as tips on renting, can be
obtained online from the
Recreation Vehicle Rental Association
(www.rvra.org).
Passes Offer
free admission
on Most Federal
Lands
Those who enjoy vacationing at national parks, national forests, and other federal lands have op-
portunities to save quite a bit of money by using the federal government's annual passes. The
America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
costs $80 for
1 year, from the date of purchase, for the general public. It provides free admission for the pass
holder, and those in his or her vehicle, to recreation sites that charge vehicle entrance fees on
lands administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser-
vice, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Reclamation. At areas that charge per-person
fees, the passes are good for the pass holder, plus three additional adults. Children 15 and under
are admitted free.
The passes are also available for U.S. citizens and permanent residents ages 62 and older for
a lifetime fee of $10 (Senior Pass), and are free for U.S. residents and permanent residents with
disabilities (Access Pass). The Senior and Access passes also provide 50% discounts on some
fees, such as those for camping.
The Senior and Access passes can be obtained by mail with an application form available online
(see below) with a $10 processing fee, or without the processing fee in person at national parks,
U.S. Forest Service offices, and other federal recreation sites. The general public version (the
$80 one) can be purchased in person, by phone (&
888/275-8747,
ext. 1), or online at ht-
tp://store.usgs.gov/pass, a website that also provides complete information about the passes.
Tips on Accommodations
The small towns that serve as gateways to Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks,
as well as the parks themselves, offer a varied but somewhat limited selection of
lodging possibilities. Both parks have handsome lodges and cabins, owned by the
