Are There Any Other Benefits For Military Veterans Or Gold Star Families
In addition to the annual Interagency Military Pass, if you are U.S. citizen or permanent resident age 62 or older you qualify for an annual or lifetimeSenior Pass. You can buy a Senior Pass in person from a participating Federal recreation site, office, online, or by mail. If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have a permanent disability you may qualify for anAccess Pass. This is a free lifetime pass that you may obtain in person from a participating Federal recreation site, office, online, or by mail.
Disabled Veterans Eligible For Free Access To National Parks
Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10 percent or higher can get free access to the Grand Canyon, Hawaii volcanoes, and hundreds of other national parks across the country a benefit also available to active duty servicemembers.
Disabled veterans can apply for their pass in person at a participating federal recreation site by presenting a photo identification card and documentation proving permanent disability, such as a VA Benefit Summary Letter , VA identification with service-connected disability annotation, VA summary of benefits, or receipt of Social Security disability income.
Disabled veterans may also apply by mail by sending documentation and $10 processing fee to the United States Geological Survey, Attn: Access Pass, Box 25286, Denver, CO 80225. Documents to include are the Access Pass application form , proof of residency and one of the following: VA disability award letter, VA summary of benefits, or proof of SSDI income. Passes sent by mail could take 10 to 12 weeks.
The pass for disabled veterans also includes discounts on amenity fees, such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours.
The VA highlighted the program in a recent blog post.
Active duty members can obtain a free pass for a year, while disabled veterans can apply for a Lifetime National Parks Access Pass through the Department of Interior that gives them access to more than 400 national parks and 2,000 recreation sites.
Types Of National Parks Passes
National Parks passes are sold at most national parks. If the park does not charge a fee, this may not be available. So call first.
- NPS Access Pass: A free, lifetime pass that is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability that provides access to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies.
- 4th Graders-President Obama started a wonderful program to allow 4th graders to get a pass to our National Parks.
- Senior Citizens, Veterans and Volunteers may also qualify for a free pass. Visit your local park office for more information on those specific programs.
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Veterans With Disabilities Honor Pass
2022 Veterans With Disabilities Honor Pass
The Utah Division of State Parks is proud to offer qualifying veterans access to our Veterans With Disabilities Honor Pass!
Beginning May 4, 2022, the Honor Pass will be available for veterans who:
- Are a Utah resident
- Were honorably discharged from their military service
- Have a service-related disability and can provide a current summary of benefits letter issued by the Department of Veteran Affairs
The Honor Pass is valid for day-use admittance for the qualified veteran and up to seven guests in the same private vehicle. The pass is not valid at This Is The Place Heritage Park and does not cover fees charged by Davis County for travel on the Antelope Island Causeway. The Honor Pass is not valid for special charges or fees within the park such as the Jordan River Off-Highway Vehicle State Park rider fees, golf green fees, special program participation fees, camping fees, etc.
These passes are valid until the end of the calendar year they were issued. At that time, qualified veterans will need to bring updated documentation to once again receive a pass.
Pickup locations include Utah State Parks Region Offices, our main office in Salt Lake City, and all of our state parks excluding Flight Park, Piute State Park, Jordan River OHV State Park, Utahraptor State Park, Lost Creek State Park, and This is the Place Heritage Park.
Is There A Lifetime Pass For Veterans And Gold Star Families
Yes. Congress recently passed legislation authorizing a free lifetime pass to national parks and other federal recreation areas for eligible U.S. military veterans and Gold Star families. In recent years, they were able to receive annual passes. The new lifetime passes will be available to distribute later in 2022. Until then, Gold Star families and veterans may continue to use The Interagency Annual Military Pass with proof of eligibility as described above.
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What Is The Military Veterans And Gold Star Family Free Access Program
The Interagency Annual Military Pass provides free entrance to national parks and other federal recreation areas to current U.S. military members and their dependents, U.S. military 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.
For more information about the Interagency Military Pass Program, please visit USGS Pass Store – Military Pass Frequently Asked Questions.
House Unanimously Passes Bill By Dr Ruiz Sen Shaheen To Guarantee Disabled Veterans Lifetime Passes To National Parks Wounded Veterans Recreation Act Now Heads To Presidents Desk For Signature
WASHINGTON, D.C. Throughout his tenure in Congress, Rep. Raul Ruiz, CA-36, has been a champion of all veterans, particularly wounded and disabled veterans.
On Monday, the House of Representatives passed the Wounded Veterans Recreation Act a bill to guarantee free, lifetime national park passes for all disabled veterans to enjoy more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. The legislation, introduced by Ruiz in the House and Sen, Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, in the Senate, ensures free national parks passes for all veterans with a service-related disability. By increasing veterans access to national parks, the legislation would help engage them with nature, which can provide healing and promote physical and mental health.
This is a great outcome for veterans in our district and across the country, Ruiz said in a prepared statement. National parks can connect our veterans with nature and increase their spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. The Wounded Veterans Recreation Act will protect free access to these cherished sites for our disabled veterans and improve their overall health. I look forward to seeing the President sign this bill into law to help improve the lives of veterans.
Ed Robles, the Executive Director of Mission Veteran emphasized the importance for veterans to connect with the outdoors and the natural environment, especially through visits to national parks.
Disabled Veteran
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Does The Waiver Include Others Traveling With The Veteran Or Gold Star Family Member
Free access is for the veteran or the holder of the Military Pass-Gold Star Family voucher as well as travelling companions who are occupants of a single, private non-commercial vehicle OR the veteran or voucher-holder and three persons where per person fees are charged. The voucher is non-transferrable and void if altered.
How To Buy Passes
Buying with a VSP Gift Certificate or web reservation account:If you need to pay with a Virginia State Parks gift certificate or have an online reservation account, use this link to pay .
Buying for someone else: When buying a pass for someone else online, we need their name and contact information for the annual pass. The pass will be mailed to them. Use this link and enter their information in Step 1. You will need to submit your mailing address information for the payment in Step 2 .You can also buy the pass at one of our parks and provide the pass holder’s name and email address. You will be handed the pass, so you can then send it to them.
Both systems email you a confirmation which serves as your temporary pass until your plastic hang tag arrives in the mail.
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Disabled Veterans Free State Park Access
Currently, Colorado residents who display a disabled veteran’s license plate are allowed free entrance to any state park or recreation area, not including campgrounds, on any day of the year that such park or area is open.
The act allows a Colorado resident to acquire a free transferable annual state parks pass by presenting the same documents required for a Colorado disabled veteran’s license plate at a regional office or the central office of the division of parks and wildlife, or at any other locations the division determines. Thus, Colorado residents who are veterans with disabilities will be able to obtain free access to state parks without acquiring a Colorado disabled veteran’s license plate.
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Refer Senate Bill 20-069 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a vote of 10-0. -
Vote Documents Refer Senate Bill 20-069 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar. The motion passed on a vote of 5-0.
Submit Proof Of Washington State Residency
Must be a current Washington State resident for at least 3 consecutive months. Submit 1 of the following documents:
- Valid Washington State driver license.
- Valid Washington State identification card.
- Valid Washington State voter registration card.
- Washington State senior citizen property tax exemption.
- Other proofs of residency may be accepted.
Note: We can not accept a Washington State driver license with a military expiration if it has been more than 90-day since you separated from active duty. That driver license is no longer valid. Please contact the Department of Licensing to renew your license before applying for this pass.
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What If I Have A Current Interagency Military Pass Or Other Type Of Interagency Pass
If you have a Military Pass, Access Pass, or one of the other Interagency Passes, you can simply use that pass for free access.
If you have recently purchased an Interagency Annual or Senior Pass, unfortunately no refunds are permitted.
Veterans and Gold Star Family free access vouchers and Interagency Passes are non-transferable.
Disabled Veterans Can Now Get Free Lifetime Access To National Parks
Its never too soon to start planning an epic spring or summer vacation. For disabled veterans living stateside, 2020 could be the best year yet for outdoor recreation. This is because the National Parks Service offers disabled veterans an amazing deal on their next visit. From Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to Dry Tortugas National Park and the Mt. Zion and the Smokey Mountains in between, theyre all at our fingertips and its now totally free.
More than 330 million people visit Americas most beautiful parks every year, and the parks are about to see a huge influx from American veterans due to this partnership between the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation. Disabled veterans can get free access with an Access Pass on their cars, granting free access to anyone in that vehicle. On top of access, the access pass gives holders a discount on expanded amenity fees at many National Parks sites, which can include campsite fees, swimming, boat launches, and group tours.
All a veteran has to do to be one of those who enter the parks for free is submit proper documentation of his or her service-connected disability, along with proof of identification and a $10 processing fee. A Veterans Administration letter of service connection is enough to satisfy this requirement, and the passes can even be ordered online.
The G Team
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Are Passes Available For Disabled Veterans Or Other People With Disabilities
Yes. The Interagency Access Pass is a lifetime pass that is free for any US citizen or permanent resident, including a veteran or Gold Star Family member, who has a permanent disability. An Access Pass may also provide discounts for expanded amenities like camping, guided tours etc. For more information visit USGS Store – Access Pass.
Are There Any Costs To Participate
No. The voucher covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands and at lands managed by the National Park Service, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and US Army Corps of Engineers.
Fees still apply for expanded amenities such as camping, tours and special recreation permits. Reservation fees and fees for organized groups or concession-operated facilities or activities may not be covered by the voucher or Interagency Pass.
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What Is Covered By The Free Access Program
The voucher covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands and on lands managed by the National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and US Army Corps of Engineers.
Dear New Mexico Veteran
New Mexico State Parks is proud to provide you with a Veterans Annual Day Use Pass and three Veterans Camping Passes. All passes are valid for the next 12 months and are available at no charge to New Mexico resident veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability.
Eligibility for the Veterans Annual Day Use Pass is verified by the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services . To register for your passes, please contact the DVS at 505-827-6300. Once eligibility is ensured by the DVS, passes are distributed from the State Parks main office in Santa Fe. Once registered, for address changes, please contact the State Parks Office at 1-888-667-2757 or contact LeeAnnn Romero at
This pass is valid for New Mexico resident veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability. Pass is non-transferable. Pass expires on the last day of the twelfth month from the date of issue. Valid during posted day-use hours only. The New Mexico State Parks Division is not responsible for lost or stolen passes. No replacement or extra vehicle passes are available.
THE VETERANS DAY-USE PASS IS NOT VALID: for concession operated park facilities for reservation fees, group shelter fees, meeting room fees or camping fees or for utility hook-ups.
To claim your free, three-night camping stay, please make a reservation with a state park directly.
FOR ALL OTHER CAMPING RESERVATIONS CONTACT RESERVE AMERICA AT 1-877-664-7787
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Free Entrance To National Parks For Veterans And Gold Star Families
- Duration:
- 1 minute, 17 seconds
The National Park Service in partnership with Operation Live Well would like to thank military personnel and their families for their service and invite them to enjoy their national parks.
Gold Star Families and US military veterans are eligible to receive free lifetime access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. The free Military Pass is a way to thank Americas veterans, Gold Star Families, and current military and their dependents for their support of our country and to encourage them to explore recreational opportunities on their public lands and waters.
Can Current Members Of The Military Receive Free Entrance To National Parks Who Else Can Receive Free Entrance
Current members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents can enter national parks for free with an annual Interagency Military Pass through the America the Beautiful the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program. There are a total of seven Interagency Passes available. For more information and to obtain these passes, please visit the USGS Store.
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How To Get Your Free National Parks Pass