Attractions & Parks
Do veterans get free access to national parks?
Yes. Every veteran and Gold Star family member can get a free lifetime pass covering all 2,000+ U.S. national parks, national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and most national forests. Active-duty service members get a free annual pass instead (normally $80/year). The pass covers the cardholder plus all occupants of a passenger vehicle — or the cardholder plus three additional adults at walk-in sites.
Updated June 2026 · Browse all benefits
What the America the Beautiful Military Pass covers
The America the Beautiful Military Lifetime Pass is a federal access pass issued jointly by the National Park Service (NPS) and USGS. It waives entrance fees at every federal recreation site that charges one.
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All 63 National Parks — Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains, Zion, and every other National Park in the system.
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National Monuments, National Recreation Areas, National Seashores, and National Lakeshores.
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National Wildlife Refuges that charge an entrance fee.
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Most National Forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sites that charge a day-use fee.
The pass does NOT cover camping fees, cabin or lodge rentals, parking fees (at sites that separate them from entrance), concessions, or special-permit tours. It covers the entrance fee only.
Veterans vs. active duty: what each group gets
The pass type differs based on your current status:
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Veterans (all eras, all ratings): Free lifetime pass — one-time issuance, never expires. Show any of: a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), Department of Defense ID with "Veteran" designation, state-issued driver's license or ID with a veteran designation, or a DD-214.
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Active duty: Free annual pass (normally $80/year) — renewed each year automatically while you remain on active duty. Show your current military ID or CAC at any park entrance.
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100% disabled veterans: Eligible for the same free lifetime veteran pass. Some parks may additionally honor the Access Pass (federal program for individuals with permanent disabilities), which can sometimes provide additional fee waivers beyond the entrance fee — confirm with the specific site.
How to get the pass
Two ways to obtain the pass:
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In person at any national park entrance gate — present your qualifying documentation and receive the pass immediately at no charge. This is the fastest method and avoids any fees.
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Online through the USGS Recreation.gov store — a processing and shipping fee of approximately $10 applies when the pass is mailed. The pass itself is free; you pay only for processing.
The lifetime pass is issued once and cannot be replaced free of charge if lost. Picking it up in person at a park entrance avoids the processing fee entirely and gets you the pass on the spot.
State parks: separate programs in each state
The America the Beautiful pass covers only federally managed sites — state parks are run independently by each state. Several states have their own veteran park programs that .gov federal sites don't cover:
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Texas — The Veterans Parklands Passport gives any honorably discharged veteran free entry to all Texas state parks. Veterans with a 60%+ service-connected disability get free entry plus one free companion. Pick it up in person at any state park with your DD-214.
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Maine — A free lifetime pass to all Maine state parks, museums, and historic sites for veterans with an other-than-dishonorable discharge. 100% disabled veterans can bring dependents at no cost.
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Colorado — A free Independence Pass covering all state parks for 12 months for Colorado resident veterans with a 50%+ service-connected disability or Purple Heart recipients. Renew annually at any Colorado Parks and Wildlife office.
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Arizona — 100% service-connected disabled veterans get a free day-use pass to all Arizona state parks, covering the pass holder plus up to three accompanying adults.
State park veteran programs vary widely. Search "[your state] veteran state park pass" or check your state parks agency's website to find the current program where you live.
Frequently asked questions
Does the pass cover guests and family members?
Yes. In a passenger vehicle, the pass covers all occupants of the vehicle. At walk-in or boat-in sites, the pass covers the cardholder plus up to three accompanying adults. Children under 16 are always free regardless of pass type.
Does the pass waive camping fees?
No. The America the Beautiful pass covers site entrance fees only. Camping, RV hookup, and parking fees (where charged separately from the entrance fee) are not waived by the pass.
Is the pass transferable — can someone else use it?
No. The pass is non-transferable and tied to the primary account holder. The cardholder must be present when using the pass.
Does the pass work at state parks?
No. The America the Beautiful pass only covers federally managed sites. State parks are managed separately — but many states have their own veteran programs. Texas, Maine, Colorado, and Arizona all offer free or heavily discounted state park access for veterans. See the "State parks" section above for details.
Boon Atlas is an independent benefits and perks directory. Boon Atlas is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, or any military branch. Confirm benefit details directly with the company, program, or official source before relying on any information listed here.
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