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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Park Service, on Veterans Day, unveiled a free lifetime pass providing entrance to national parks for veterans and their families, as well as Gold Star families and active-duty military.
The Interagency Military Lifetime Pass waives entrance fees for the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and standard amenity recreation fees for the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites for current military service members and their dependents, veterans and Gold Star Families.
Those who qualify have free access to approximately 2,000 public locations spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, which host activities to fit any lifestyle, including hiking, fishing, paddling, biking, hunting, stargazing, camping, and much more.
The Military Pass has been expanded to include a pass that does not expire for veterans and Gold Star Family members. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 authorized a free lifetime pass to national parks and other federal recreational lands for eligible Veterans and Gold Star Families. In recent years, they were able to receive annual passes.
For purposes of the program, a veteran is identified as an individual who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard and Reserve, and can present an unexpired Department of Defense Identification Card, Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), Veteran ID Card or has a veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card.
Gold Star Families are next of kin of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who lost their life in a “qualifying situation,” such as a war, international terrorist attack, or military operation while serving with the United States Armed Forces.
Current military service members must show a valid (unexpired) Department of Defense ID. Dependents of current service members must show a valid (unexpired) DD Form 1173 AD or DEC.
Other free or discounted passes, including some lifetime passes, are available for persons with permanent disabilities, fourth-grade students, volunteers and those age 62 or older.
To get a pass, visit a participating site (find them listed at nps.gov/plan your visit) or the USGS Online Store. For more information about eligibility and passes, visit NPS.gov.
PHOTO: Acadia National Park is one of more then 2,000 sites across the U.S. that will have free entrance for veterans and their families with the new lifetime access pass. (Maureen Milliken photo)
