America The Beautiful Pass For Military And Families
Current 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 for the National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Annual Pass for FREE .
The pass grants access to more than 2,000 national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands.
For parks with a vehicle admission, the pass will cover the car in which the pass owner is riding in. For parks with a per-person admission, the pass covers the pass owner and three accompanying adults age 16 and older.
No entry fee charged for children 15 and under. Pass owner and up to 3 other bicyclists can enter for free at most parks, but check in advance for the policy of each park.
National Park Access Pass
The Access Pass, part of the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series, is available free for US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. The Access Pass may be issued to U.S. citizens or permanent residents of any age that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability that severely limits one or more major life activities. Applicants must provide documentation of permanent disability and residency or citizenship. The pass may be obtained in person at a federal recreation site or through the mail using an application form. Read more about the Access Pass, and other passes, below. Please note that passes are not available at all national parks see a list of all federal recreation sites , including national parks, where the passes are issued.
U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability may get a free, lifetime pass that provides admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies, including Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Access Passes are available online.
Required documentation: A copy of ID issued by an authorized U.S. agency such as your driver’s license, passport or state-issued ID and documentation that proves permanent disability such as:
-
Learn about accessibility laws and policy.
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for veterans and Gold Star Families will continue indefinitely, unless the Secretarial Order and/or FLREA are amended, superseded, or revoked/expired.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.
Also Check: Add Dependents To Va Disability
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.
Will There Be A Lifetime Pass For Veterans And Gold Star Families
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.
You May Like: Veterans Ptsd Social Security Disability
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.
The Outdoors As Therapy
Lofgren, a congressional aide for Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz, and former volunteer for Sinema, died at Death Valley National Park last April.
Before joining Grijalva’s office as a Wounded War Fellow in 2019, he served four years in the Army as a combat engineer and deployed to Afghanistan in 2011, according to the announcement of his hiring.
Grijalva said Lofgren loved the outdoors and used it as therapy.
“Alex working with us here saw that nature, our open spaces, our state and federal park lands and wilderness areas and public places were therapeutic, that they were important in the reintegrations of veterans back into our civilian life here after they completed their service to the nation, and he was a huge proponent of that,” Grijalva told The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network.
“As a veteran, I know firsthand the importance of national parks as a place of connection and healing when dealing with the visible and invisible wounds of war,” Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said in a statement.
He and fellow veteran Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, introduced the bill in the House last summer.
Following the law’s signing, Miller-Meeks, a doctor who served 24 years in the Army, said in a statement, “We often say that we support the physical and mental health of our veterans, and it is great to see legislation pass that will do great things for the health of our heroes.”
You May Like: What Is Waiting Period For Disability Insurance
Disabled Veterans Eligible For Free National Park Service Lifetime Access Pass
Editors note: this blog was updated Sept. 30, 2020.
Spring flowers are blooming, the summer travel season quickly approaches and Veterans are joining the 330-million yearly visitors enjoying U.S. National Parks.
Many Veterans, with a service connected disability rating, are entering Federal recreation lands and national parks for free with an America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands lifetime Access Pass through an interagency partnership between the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation. Good for entry into thousands of federally managed recreation sites across the country, the Lifetime Access Pass is another way a grateful nation says thank you for the service and sacrifices of U. S. Veterans with disabilities.
Camping under the stars Credit NPS / Emily Ogden
The Access Pass admits the pass owner and any passengers in a single, private vehicle at per-vehicle entrance and day use fee areas or, the pass owner plus three additional adults where per-person fees are charged. In addition to free entry at participating sites, the Access Pass includes discounts on some expanded amenity fees such as camping. Sites recommend that pass owners check with each site before visiting for details about Access Pass entry and discounts.
What Parks Does America The Beautiful Pass Cover
The America the Beautiful Park Pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges plus day-use fees at national forests and grasslands, and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and the Army Corps of Engineers. The military pass also covers everyone in your vehicle when you arrive at the park.
Don’t Miss: What Are The Rules For Short Term Disability
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.
Submit Proof Of Disability
Proof of your service connected disability is required. We can accept a letter from the VA, on official letterhead, that states your combined service connected disability rating of 30% or greater.
We will not accept your DD-214, the identification card issued by the VA Health Care system or a Retired Military Identification card.
Do not submit original documents.
You May Like: Is Colour Blindness A Disability In Australia
How Many National Parks Are Free
NPS free days are the perfect time to get out and explore some of the countrys most stunning landscapes and important historical attractions without spending a dime. Only 108 of the 423 NPS sites and parks currently charge entrance fees, so there are hundreds of places you can visit for free year-round.
Alert: Highest Cash Back Card We’ve Seen Now Has 0% Intro Apr Until 2024
If you’re using the wrong credit or debit card, it could be costing you serious money. Our expert loves this top pick, which features a 0% intro APR until 2024, an insane cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee.
In fact, this card is so good that our expert even uses it personally. for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
Also Check: How Long Is The Appeal Process For Social Security Disability
Don’t Ignore Other Money
Active-duty military members, veterans, and their families can also take advantage of other money-saving deals. Life is expensive, so every discount adds up, and can help you reach your personal finance goals sooner.
Here are some other deals that you won’t want to miss:
- Apple: A 10% discount is available to current and veteran members of the U.S. Military, National Guard and Reserve and immediate family members residing in the same household.
- Costco: Current, retired, and veteran military members can get a $20 Costco digital gift card when becoming a new Costco member.
- Home Depot: Get 10% off eligible purchases , available to active-duty military members, veterans, and their spouses.
- The North Face: A 10% discount is available to active, reservist, veteran, and retired U.S. military personnel.
- Verizon: Current military members and veterans can save up to $25/month on Verizon Wireless unlimited phone plans.
While these are just a few examples of deals, many other brands offer savings to U.S. military members and veterans. Be sure to ask if a discount is available before you rush to swipe your at the checkout line.
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.
Read Also: What Are The Requirements To Collect Social Security Disability
How Do I Get Into National Parks For Free
At park sites that charge per vehicle, the pass covers passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle who accompany the pass owner. At sites that charge per person, the fourth-grade pass owner can bring up to three adults for free. Any other children in the group under the age of 16 can also join in for free.
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.
Recommended Reading: How Much Will My Disability Back Pay Be
How Does A Veteran Gain Free Entrance To A National Park
In national parks that charge an entrance fee, a veteran will need to present one of the following forms of identification to receive a free Interagency Military Pass:
-
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
Its especially important to obtain the Interagency Military Pass to display on the vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites. View a list of federal locations that issue passes.
At sites that do not issue annual Interagency Military Passes, showing the above forms of identification will allow free entrance.
Veterans can also obtain a free Military Pass online through the USGS Store. There is a $10 online processing fee.
Can Current Members Of The Military Receive Free Entrance To National Parks
Current members of the US 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.
You May Like: Can You Go On Disability For Depression
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.
Introducing The Interagency Annual Military Pass
The Interagency Annual Military Pass is available to current U.S. military members, veterans, dependents, and Gold Star families.
Passes are free at sites that issue passes, including parks and federal recreation sites. Passes can also be obtained online through the USGS store, but a $10 processing fee applies. Plan to bring documentation to show you qualify for the pass.
The Interagency Annual Military Pass covers entrance fees to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sites and National Park Service sites.
Additionally, the pass covers standard amenity fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites.
If you’re visiting parks and lands with family or friends, they can also enjoy free entry:
- The pass holder and any accompanying passengers in a private, non-commercial vehicle can gain entry at no cost at sites that charge a per-vehicle fee.
- At sites that charge fees per person, the pass holder, and up to three additional adults are admitted at no cost.
Also Check: How To Apply For Disability Benefits In Texas
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.
All Veterans To Benefit From New Act Just Signed Into Law Will Get Free Lifetime Access To National Parks
March 11, 2022 by USMilitary.org
A new act signed into law gives all veterans and Gold Star families free lifetime access to National Parks.
The act was part of the defense authorization bill which was signed into law recently.
When you take your oath, if you go into the service, to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, you really are protecting the homeland,stated the National Park Services new director Chuck Sams. I think this is a great recognition of that responsibility you took on to serve your nation.
Back in 2020, the Department of Interior announced that veterans and Gold Star families would get free access to national parks and other public lands, but the new law makes it permanent.
Many popular destinations, such as the Grand Canyon National Park and Yellowstone National Park, can now be visited by veterans for no cost.
In order to use the benefit veterans will need to present a form of valid identification, which may include:
- Veteran ID card
- State-issued card displaying veteran status
Recommended Reading: Can Asthma Be Considered A Disability
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.