Park Pass - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

almitra · 03-08-2008, 12:45 PM

Guess I'll be buying one next Wednesday if they sell them at Caddo Lake SP......it makes good sense as I have 5 trips already booked. Also ordered a cast iron DO cuz I NEED one desperately.

srds · 03-08-2008, 01:15 PM

Good ideal,be sure to use your 50% off coupons,Dw forgot to use hers last year.Have a great trip.

srds :cool:
Have Fun

Troop198 · 03-08-2008, 09:33 PM

They sell them at all the parks and it saves that daily fee.
They will give you a temporary card and mail you a plastic card. It is worth it. We have had one for years.

almitra · 03-09-2008, 09:26 AM

Good to know!

campermom · 03-09-2008, 12:23 PM

Just purchased my third Park Pass @ Buescher this weekend. The ranger said they've been really slow at getting the cards sent out. We'll have to wait up to 4 months for those coupons. It really is worth the money spent. You can invite friends and take them for the day.

MissionCamper · 04-16-2008, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by campermom

The ranger said they've been really slow at getting the cards sent out.

One reason I really wish they'd consider issuing cards that can be "recharged"...much like the gift cards you can get at retail stores. Or, perhaps, expand the program for us frequent buyers by offering cards good for 3 and 5 years.

I have to wonder how much money this costs (deprives) our parks system to go through the business of issuing a plastic card EACH year.

Shannon · 03-09-2008, 02:02 PM

The pass also gets you discounts at stuff purchased at park stores, as well as discounted rates on some rentals and tours, among other things.

almitra · 03-09-2008, 02:36 PM

I noticed that with the hay rides at Garner SP.

dmodechicky · 03-12-2008, 12:07 PM

I think we need to renew ours too. We get our money's worth out of it for sure!

Troop198 · 03-26-2008, 07:03 PM

After 4 months we finally got the real park pass in the mail. It came with four coupons for camping that you can use one at a time. (50 % off camping for one night, minimum 2 night stay)Still a good thing to have if you visit the parks even for the day. Planning two parks at least in the next month, Ray Roberts and Palo Duro. May also hit the big festival at Cedar Hill SP on April 5
for the day

April 5,2008
7th Annual Cedar Hill Expo — Enjoy a fun filled day in which you can participate in many of the programs we offer. Some of the events include reptile programs, bass casting for kids, a wildflower walk, archery and kayaking. Game Wardens will also be available throughout the day to answer questions regarding TPWD regulations

Shannon · 03-27-2008, 07:49 AM

**** ALL COUPONS HAVE BEEN AWARDED; THANKS GANG! ****
Speaking of which, I have TWO coupons from our State Park Pass renewal that I need to give away to a couple deserving Wild Texans. Justin and I won't have time to use all four of ours before they expire (ours expire in September 2008) so we're giving away two. I do not think you need to have a State Park Pass for the coupons to be accepted.

**** Congrats to TexasCamper_01, happybooker1, and almitra (I threw in a third coupon 'cuz she was within minutes of the second request.) They were the first registered WildTexas.com users to let me know they'd like to receive a September-expiring TPWD 50% off camping for one night (2 night minimum) coupon.

The coupons are good for "50% OFF CAMPING FOR ONE NIGHT | Expires September 2008" and must be presented at CHECK-IN at a Texas State Park.

Fine print on the coupons:
"Coupon valid for intended use only. Valid only for campsite or regular screened shelter. Not valid on holiday weekends or with any other offer. No cash value. TPWD not responsible for lost coupon. Good for one use. One coupon per visit. Subject to availability. Non-refundable."

No rules or conditions to receiving them, other than being a currently registered WildTexas.com user as of today March 27, 2008. Of course, you know I'd like you to come back here after the trip(s) and share your trip report(s), but even that's not required.

**** ALL COUPONS HAVE BEEN AWARDED; THANKS GANG! ****

Choderus · 04-13-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannon

Speaking of which, I have TWO coupons from our State Park Pass renewal that I need to give away to a couple deserving Wild Texans. Justin and I won't have time to use all four of ours before they expire (ours expire in September 2008) so we're giving away two. I do not think you need to have a State Park Pass for the coupons to be accepted.

I guess this depends on where you are camping. Last weekend a friend and I went to Village Creek SP for a 3 day camping trip. Since my Parks Pass card expires this month (04-2008) I decided to renew my card once we got down there. This usually gets you off to a good start with the Park Rangers. I spent the $60 for my new Parks Pass when we got to Village Creek but was then told that I could not use my coupon since I did not bring last year's card. She said that the coupon must be used with the card it came with. She also told me that she would not accept the coupon because "How am I supposed to know how you got a hold of that coupon? You could have gotten it anywhere!". I couldn't believe that after I just spent $60 with them the Park Ranger was accusing me of being a liar and/or thief! Like I would spend $60 and then try & rip them off of half a night's camping fees. :mad:

Needless to say we turned around and walked right out and headed up to Martin Dies, Jr. SP. It is a beautiful park, right on the lake, and the people there couldn't be nicer. They happily accepted my coupon for the first night and couldn't believe the treatment we received at Village Creek. I passed along a long email to the TXPWD web site letting them know about my experience and that I will never spend so much as a penny I found on the ground at Village Creek SP until that Ranger is gone.

BTW, I checked the coupon and nowhere does it say it can only be used with the Parks Pass card issued with them. I pointed this out to the Ranger but she flat out said that she didn't care.

Shannon · 04-13-2008, 08:37 PM

I would recommend you write (email, although a letter will get more attention) a letter to TPWD HQ because that's total bollocks. One, there's nothing on the coupons to tie it to the State Parks Pass it was issued with (name, barcode, whatnot). Two, they're engaging in not just poor customer service but ANT-customer service with attitude.

You should also call the park and ask to speak with the supervisor to lodge a complaint about the particular TPWD employee who verbally dressed you down for something as simple as a 50% off camping coupon.

Ridiculous! :mad:

Shannon · 04-13-2008, 08:40 PM

PS: I am perplexed by the quote you mentioned about "How am I supposed to know where you got the coupon...you could've gotten it anywhere" comment. Did you bring an original coupon or a photocopy of it?

Choderus · 04-13-2008, 09:35 PM

Not a photocopy at all. In fact I still had the original paper mailed to me with two of the coupons attached to it. I did receive a reply to the extended detailed email I sent to TX Parks & Wildlife thanking me for letting them know about my experience and assuring me that my message would be forwarded to the appropriate personnel. I'll let you know if I receive any further response.

Such a shame, too, because we went back to Village Creek SP to hike the trails and swim in the creek on Sunday and it is a beautiful park. Seems to me they could use the money there since they are still cleaning up from Hurricane Rita three years ago. This a picture of the entrance to Village Creek SP:

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