Benefit Fact Sheet
The National Park Service in partnership with Operation Live Well offers free military passes to thank America's veterans, Gold Star Families, current military and their dependents for their support of our country. The passes are provided to encourage them to explore recreational opportunities on their public lands and waters.
- A free lifetime Military Passis available for Gold Star Families and U.S. military veterans.
- A free annual Military Passis available for current U.S. service members and their dependents.
The passes provide free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests.
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 expanded the Interagency Pass Program and authorized a free Military Lifetime pass to National Parks and other federal recreational lands for eligible veterans and Gold Star Families.
The Interagency Military Annual Pass provides free lifetime entrance to National Parks and other Federal recreation areas to current U.S. service members and their dependents, veterans and Gold Star Families.
Who is eligible to gain free entrance as a Veteran?
Veterans who are able to present one of the following forms of identification or the Interagency Military Pass when entering a National Park:
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Department of Defense Identification Card (Non-expired CAC, a Retired Military ID or a Uniformed Services ID)
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Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
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Veteran Identification Card
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Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card
Who is eligible to gain free access as a member of a Gold Star Family?
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, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the U.S. Armed Forces. Eligibility requirements are in section 3.2 of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36.
Before visiting a national park site, Gold Star Family members must download and print a Gold Star Family Free Access Voucher to present to park staff, exchange for an Interagency Military Lifetime Pass, or place on the vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites (representations of the voucher are prohibited; the physical voucher or pass must be present). By downloading and signing the voucher, Gold Star Family members are self-certifying that they meet the required criteria as identified in sections 3.2 and 3.3 of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36.
What is the Military, Veterans, and Gold Star Family Free Access Program?
The Interagency Military Annual Pass provides free entrance to national parks and other Federal recreation areas to current U.S. service members and their dependents, veterans, and Gold Star Families.
The entrance fee waiver does not cover expanded amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, transportation, special recreation permits, reservation fees or special tours.
The pass is FREE if picked up in person at sites that issue passes, locations can be found at https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/pickup-pass-locations.htm. A Military pass can be ordered from the USGS Store for a $10 processing fee. For more information about the Interagency Military Pass Program, please visit USGS Pass Store - Military Pass Frequently Asked Questions.
What agencies are participating in the free access program?
The program covers entrance or standard amenity (day-use) fees for the following agencies:
National Park Service:
https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm
America the Beautiful - National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Military Pass:
https://store.usgs.gov/MilitaryPass