Free Lifetime National Park Pass for Veterans

Discover Your National Parks

Here’s some pretty cool news for those of us veterans who love to head out and see the great outdoors. As of November 11, 2022, Veterans and Gold Star families can receive the military Lifetime National Park Pass to federal recreation sites throughout the United States. The pass will cover entrance fees for a driver and all passengers in your vehicle or, since some national parks charge per person rather than per vehicle, you (the passholder) and three adults when applicable.

The National Park Pass will also cover standard amenity fees for lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and US Army Corp of Engineers.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and our federal teammates are proud to honor our veterans with free lifetime access to more than 2,500 federal recreation areas across the nation,” Commanding General Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon USACE.

How to Receive Your Pass

Lifetime Veteran’s Pass

There are three ways to receive the pass if you are a veteran.

Present one of the following acceptable pieces of identification while at a federal recreation site. (No Fee)
- Department of Defense ID Card
- Veteran Health ID Card
- Veteran ID Card
- Veteran’s Designation on State issued license or ID Card
Visit the National Park Service website. ($10 Special Document and Processing Fee online)
Visit the US Geological Survey website. ($10 Special Document and Processing Fee online)

Lifetime Gold Star Pass

Gold Star families may also receive the National Park Lifetime Pass.

To obtain your pass as a Gold Star Family member you must download and print a voucher to present to park staff and exchange for an Interagency Military Lifetime Pass, or simply place the voucher on the vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites.

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.

View a list of federal locations that issue passes. 

Download the Gold Star Family Voucher.

Also, Gold Star Family members can obtain a free Military Lifetime Pass online through the USGS Online Store with the same $10 processing fees.

Where Can You Go With Your Lifetime National Park Pass?

The program waives entrance or standard amenity fees for the following agencies:

I hope you take advantage of this opportunity and enjoy your national parks. Maybe I’ll see you out there!

Do you have questions about a family member’s service history, how to obtain personal records, or register with the VA?

These are just a few examples of the types of questions I receive at Ask A Specialist. It’s a free service and I’ll do my best to find your answer as quickly as possible.

Please do not send me any personal information other than a name and email address. In an emergency or for urgent matters go directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs website or call them at: 800-827-1000