Can an Old Rag day-use permit be transferred or resold to someone else?

No. Shenandoah National Park states plainly that Old Rag day-use tickets are not transferable. In its announcement of the permanent ticketing system, the park said tickets are "valid for the day of arrival only and are not transferable" (Source: https://www.nps.gov/shen/learn/news/snp-announces-permanent-ticketing-system-at-old-rag-mountain.htm).

Each ticket is tied to the name of the person who reserved it, not to a transferable slot. The park's FAQ explains that a hiker may book up to four tickets in their own name, and can also reserve tickets for up to three additional people, but the booking itself is linked to the original purchaser. The person who made the reservation online must present a photo ID at the Old Rag Entrance Station to use any tickets under that reservation, and a hiker without valid ID will not be allowed onto the mountain. Source: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm

Because selling a ticket to a stranger would mean someone other than the original purchaser trying to use it, this is inconsistent with the ID requirement and the park's explicit non-transferable rule. There is also no refund option that would make reselling practical: the park allows cancelling or changing the date of a ticket only up to noon the day before the reservation date, and states it cannot issue a refund for any reason. Source: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm

If plans change, the only official options are to change the reservation date through Recreation.gov (subject to availability) before the noon cutoff, or to let the ticket go unused. Tickets cost $2.00 each, are purchased through Recreation.gov facility 10088450, and are required March 1 through November 30 on the Saddle, Ridge, and Ridge Access trails, in addition to a separate park entrance pass. Source: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm

Note that in 2026 the main Old Rag Trailhead parking lot is closed for infrastructure work beginning May 4, 2026 and expected to finish by November 2026, with access only via overflow lots during that period, though the ticket rules themselves are unaffected. Source: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/faqs-oldrag.htm