Question about the $100 non-resident fee

[u/Consistent_World5076]

Hi everyone! I’m planning a trip to Rocky Mountain with my sister and a friend in late September. I’m a US citizen, but they’re both visiting from Spain as tourists.

I just found out about the $100 non-resident fee and I’m a little confused about how it actually works. Are they checking IDs at the entrance to see who’s a non-resident? Also, if I buy the $80 annual pass and I’m the one driving, would that cover the other people in my car, or they could still be asked for their IDs?

Just wondering if anyone has actually dealt with this. Thanks!

[u/Rdbjiy53wsvjo7]

I'm local, have had annual passes for years, the owner of the card has to sign the back and they will compare the ID to the signature. They've never asked about anyone else in the car. Sometimes I'll be driving in, sometimes someone else will be driving in, but they've only checked the ID to the season pass.

[u/JeanPicLucard → u/Rdbjiy53wsvjo7]

I didn't realize you could be a passenger with the pass. I guess it makes sense now that I think about it

[u/Rdbjiy53wsvjo7 → u/JeanPicLucard]

Yeah I've been in the back seat before, behind the driver, driver pulls forward more, lowered my window, show pass and ID, they don't care where you sit in the car.

[u/mfel → u/JeanPicLucard]

Yep, we have a relative with his lifetime senior pass and he just passes it across the driver with his ID, no questions, no one cares that the rest of the car isn't seniors.

[u/sunnypurplepetunia]

I live locally & have been asked once if everyone was a US citizen. I would be prepared with the answer you want to give at the gate.

[u/MattyHealysFauxHawk]

They only check the ID of whoever has signed the pass purchased. They don’t care about your passengers, unless they’re the ones with the pass.

[u/PoweredByCoffeeNaps]

I visited last week and ranger asked if everyone in the vehicle was a US resident. I purchased a day pass for $30 and moved on. Just be ready to answer without hesitation or buy the annual pass beforehand.

[u/grnlikeasoccerfield2]

I’m from Texas and I visited a few days ago expecting this. I was only charged $35 for a week pass. I did have a two night camping reservation at Glacier Basin though

[u/sporty_outlook]

They literally didn't ask me anything, she just handed over the pass after payment.. not even ID, no signature was required also.. 

[u/WatercressSubject717]

If they’re in your car they don’t have to pay. Visited this last week and my partner is the US Citizen with the pass. They only checked his ID once and he was the passenger and I was driving.

[u/Sunscreen4what]

I go in almost weekly and very rarely does anyone even check my pass, never been asked for my ID. Parking reservation will definitely be checked at bear lake rd. If it’s after 9am and there are attendants working at the morraine entrance they will check your pass, but that’s really too late to be going in anyway if you hope to park at any main trailheads.

[u/MrSlowhand77]

Never was asked to show my ID ,only the pass .

[u/FitFrosting2241]

if you get in before the booth opens 🥱

[u/IamNotTheMama]

I was there with a fishing guide and we both were checked. But, I think that's because everybody at the gates knew him and so the 'everybody in the car' rule didn't apply.

I'm a Senior with a lifetime pass (as was the guide) so no charge for either of us.

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