Friday, March 22, 2024

Free National Park Pass For Veterans

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Will There Be A Lifetime Pass For Veterans And Gold Star Families

ALL Veterans: Lifetime Access Pass for National Parks

Yes. On December 27, 2021, President Biden signed into law S. 1605 The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 . Section 641 of the NDAA makes Gold Star families and veterans eligible for lifetime passes to federal recreational lands. It will be several months before the new lifetime passes are printed and delivered. Until then, Gold Star families and veterans may continue to use The Interagency Annual Military Pass with proof of eligibility as described above.

Get Free Annual Pass To National Parks

Current U.S. military members and their dependents, Reserve and National Guard members, U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Family members can obtain the National Park’s annual Pass for free. For more details, visit the National Park site.

Military.com provides discount information as a service to our members. We make every effort to ensure accuracy, but are not liable for the availability of discounts provided by a third party. Discounts may vary by location. The discount provider may track how you navigated to their site, but we do not share personal information with them.

How To Access Free National Park Admission

To take part, veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, must present one of the following forms of identification or the Interagency Military Pass when entering a national park:

  • Department of Defense Identification Card
  • Veteran Health Identification Card
  • Veteran ID Card
  • Veterans designation on a state-issued US drivers license or identification card

A Gold Star Family member must download and and either present it to park staff, exchange it for an Interagency Military Pass or place it on their vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites.

The rules stipulate that free access will be given to the veteran or holder of a Gold Star Family voucher, plus traveling companions who are occupants of a single, non-commercial vehicle. Where per-person fees are being charged, the veteran may get free admission for three persons 16 and older.

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

  • National Park Service
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  • U.S. Forest Service

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Where To Buy America The Beautiful Pass

Wondering where to buy America the Beautiful passes? The good news is that service members dont have to buy it. Get your free military annual pass in person at any of these federal recreation sites. You will need to bring your Common Access Card or Military ID. U.S. military members and their dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Space Force, as well as Reserve and National Guard members are eligible.

Veterans Gold Star Families Get Free Entrance To National Parks Refuges Other Public Lands

how to get a FREE lifetime pass to National Parks for people with ...

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 are waived for current Military Service-members and their dependents, Veterans and Gold Star Families.

They now 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, from serene to high octane, including hiking, fishing, paddling, biking, hunting, stargazing, camping, and much more.

Are you eligible?

For purposes of this program, a Veteran is identified as an individual who has served in the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and is able to present one of the following forms of valid identification:

  • Department of Defense Identification Card
  • Veteran ID Card
  • Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. drivers license or identification card

Gold Star Families are next of kin of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her 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 United States Armed Forces.

The America the Beautiful the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program

How to get your Interagency Pass

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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.

America The Beautiful National Park Pass For Military Members And Their Families

An America the Beautiful National Park Pass is your ticket to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Each pass 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 Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. A pass covers entrance and standard amenity fees for a driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per vehicle fee areas .

The America the Beautiful National Park Pass is available free of charge to U.S. military members and dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard and also, Reserve and National Guard members.

For more information and how to obtain a free National Park Pass, visit the National Park Service website.

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The History Of Our National Parks

The National Park Service manages more than 84 million acres across all U.S. states and territories. Since its inception, its served as a model for countries around the world to put programs in place to preserve the natural beauties of their country.

In 1872, the U.S. Congress established the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act. This bill aimed to create what we now know as parks and set aside more than one million acres of public land in what would become Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Yellowstone was Americas and the worlds first national park. Other national parks followed in places like Michigan, California, Arizona, and elsewhere.

It wasnt until 1916 that President Woodrow Wilson created the NPS as its own agency. It aimed to conserve the scenery, wildlife, and natural and historical objects within the parks. The NPS wanted to ensure that future generations of Americans could explore natural parks.

Can Current Members Of The Military Receive Free Entrance To National Parks Who Else Can Receive Free Entrance

National Parks To Be Free For Veterans And Gold Star Families

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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New Veterans’ National Parks Pass

  • View From The BunkerBy Rob Watkins

In 1993, as a veterans representative for the Florida Department of Labor, I was sent to Denver, Colorado, for training. While there I had a little free time and made my way to the Rocky Mountain National Park. It was winter time so I found the Ridge Trail road that goes from one side of the park over a 14,000 peak and out the other side of the mountains. When I stopped at the Rangers office, I got my first national parks pass. Since I was disabled, I received it for free.

I have used my pass almost a hundred times visiting and camping at beautiful sights across our country. There are passes that fit different categories of users and last week the National Parks Service issued a new pass that will give free access to Gold Star families and veterans.

WHAT THE PASS PROVIDES

The previous military lifetime pass was issued to current US military members and their dependents in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Space Force, as well as Reserve and National Guard members.

Last week, on Veterans Day, the NPS expanded the pass, that does not expire, to include veterans and Gold Star Families, authorized through the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022.

ENTRANCE PASSES

Senior Pass

Cost: $80 Lifetime Senior Pass $20 Annual Senior Pass

Available for: US citizens or permanent residents ages 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of age and residency or citizenship.

Access Pass

Cost: Free lifetime pass

How Long Will Free Access Be Available

Free access for veterans and Gold Star Families will continue indefinitely, unless the Secretarial Order and/or FLREA are amended, superseded, or revoked/expired. The Gold Star Voucher is valid for one calendar year. New vouchers for successive years can be obtained by downloading a new voucher and completing the self-certification . Annual Interagency Military passes are valid for one year from the month of issuance.

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How To Get Your Free National Parks Pass

  • If you wish to apply online, youll need internet access and about a half-hour of your time. If you wish to apply in person, you have to visit one of these participating National Park Offices. Not all parks issue these passes, so make sure you check first. And, you should probably call first.
  • Applying for your National Parks Pass online. Pandemic Update: Due to the pandemic, many park offices were closed and not issuing passes. Make sure you double check on their website before you visit a specific park office.
  • Disability Access Pass for National Parks: Read through the instructions first and gather your documentation. You will need to upload documentation, so prepare PDFs or pictures of your documents.
  • Free National Parks Pass for Volunteers If you volunteer more than 250 hours per year, you also may qualify for a free national parks pass.
  • 4th Grade National Parks Pass 4th Graders are eligible for a free pass too!
  • Senior Citizens-National Parks Pass Senior Citizens get a discounted pass or a Golden Access Pass.
  • What Does The Free Access Include

    Military veterans with a VA disability rating qualify for a free ...

    Free access under this voucher program includes entrance fees at U.S. national parks and wildlie refuges, as well as amenity fees at U.S. national forests and grasslands and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.

    Some fees are not included, including amenity fees that cover camping, tours, special recreation permits, organized groups, or concession-operated facilities or activities.

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    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 US Armed Forces who lost his or her 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 US Armed Forces. Eligibility requirements are in section 3.2 of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36.

    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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    Free Access Granted To Military Veterans And Gold Star Families

    Without those brave men and women that served our country and uniform, and without the support of their families, our nation would not be what it is today. To show our gratitude for their selfless service, the USDA Forest Service announced it will offer U.S. military veterans and Gold Star families fee-free access to their national forests and grasslands.

    Beginning on Veterans Day, November 11, 2020, the Forest Service began offering a fee waiver granting veterans and Gold Star families free access to all Forest Service operated day-use standard amenity recreation fee sites such as trailheads, picnic sites, visitor centers and most other day-use recreation sites.

    To access the benefit, veterans can present any of several government issued documents verifying veteran status:

    • Department of Defense Identification Card
    • Veteran Health Identification Card
    • Veteran ID Card
    • Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. drivers license or identification card

    Note: Form DD-214 is not accepted.

    Gold Star families can download and print a voucher to show a ranger or place on the vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites. Find out more and .

    Free Park Passes For Veterans And Gold Star Families

    National Parks To Be Free For Veterans And Gold Star Families
    Veterans Resource Station

    Veterans and Gold Star families can now visit the nations national parks at no cost.

    This month, the national park service started offering a lifetime pass the provides free entry to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country. This includes national parks, wildlife refuges, forests and our very own Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

    For more information on how to get your lifetime pass,

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    National Park Pass For Veterans

    WASHINGTON – Today the Biden-Harris Administration announced that starting on Veterans Day Nov. Veterans and Gold Star family members will be able to get a free lifetime entrance pass for federal parks and recreation sites nationwide starting Nov.

    Free National Park Passes For Lifetime For Active Duty Military Veterans And Gold Star Families Thrifty Nw Mom

    How Does A Gold Star Family Gain Free Access To A National Park

    Before visiting a national park site, Gold Star Family members must download and print a voucher to present to park staff, exchange for an Interagency Military Pass, or place on the vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites . View a list of federal locations that issue passes.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. Following is the self-certification language on the voucher:

    I hereby affirm that I am an eligible next of kin of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a qualifying situation, such as war, an international terrorist attack or a military operation outside of the United States while serving in the United States Armed Forces, as identified in sections 3.2 and 3.3 of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36.

    Gold Star Family members can obtain a free Military Pass online through the USGS Store. There is a $10 online processing fee.

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    The America The Beautiful The National Parks And Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program

    The Interagency Pass Program includes a free annual pass for active-duty members of the U.S. Military and their dependents. Current Military service members must show a valid Department of Defense ID. Dependents of current service members must show a valid 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 senior citizens age 62 years or older.

    National Park Service Awards Lifetime Pass To Veterans And Families

    How to get your FREE Lifetime National Parks Pass~Disabilities, 4th ...

    With the new Interagency Military Lifetime Pass, current and former service members, as well as their families, will be able to visit public lands for free

    The National Park Service on Nov. 11 unveiled a program that will provide veterans and their families with a lifetime free entrance pass to Americas national parks. The Interagency Military Lifetime Pass will waive entrance fees for National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands, as well as standard amenity recreation fees for Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites for veterans, Gold Star Families, and current military service members and their dependents. The pass is an expansion of the current annual pass available to active military service members and their families.

    We have a sacred obligation to Americas veterans. This new lifetime pass is a small demonstration of our nations gratitude and support for those who have selflessly served in the U.S. Armed Forces, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said in a press release on Nov. 8. Im proud the Department of the Interior can provide veterans and Gold Star Families opportunities for recreation, education and enjoyment from our countrys treasured lands.

    Gold Star Families are defined as the immediate family members of those service members who died in the line of duty.

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    How Long Will Free Access For Veterans & Gold Star Families Be Available At The National Parks

    According to its website, free access to the National Parks for veterans and Gold Star families will continue indefinitely. The officials also noted that the Gold Star Voucher is valid for one calendar year. New vouchers for successive years can be obtained by downloading a new voucher and completing the self-certification. Annual Interagency Military passes are valid for one year from the month of issuance.

    The National Parks also explains that the vouchers cover entrance fees at 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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