The National Park Service is offering U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families a free lifetime military pass.
NPS says the new pass will be made available in partnership with Operation Live Well as a way to thank military personnel and their families for their service.
The pass includes access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, including national parks, wildlife refuges and forests.
“This is a small token of appreciation for veterans who have bravely dedicated their lives to defending our freedom," NPS Director Chuck Sams said in a statement. "This pass conveys our immense gratitude and respect for those who have given so much."
Each lifetime pass covers entrance fees for a driver and all passengers (or passholder and up to three adults at sites that charge per person), as well as standard amenity fees at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The pass will be eligible to all veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and can provide proof of service.
Gold Star Family members can also download a voucher to present to park staff to get a pass. 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 country.
"We have a sacred obligation to America's veterans. This new lifetime pass is a small demonstration of our nation's gratitude and support for those who have selflessly served in the U.S. Armed Forces," said Secretary Deb Haaland, whose father served during the Vietnam War. "I'm proud the Department of the Interior can provide veterans and Gold Star Families opportunities for recreation, education and enjoyment from our country’s treasured lands."
Passes can be obtained for free at participating federal recreation areas that normally charge an entrance fee. Passes can also be obtained online for a processing fee.
Current members of the US Armed Forces and their dependents can also enter national parks for free with an Interagency Military Annual Pass. These passes can be obtained online for a fee.
Military passes waive entrance fees but do not cover expanded amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, transportation, special recreation permits, reservation fees or special tours.
The new Military Lifetime Pass will be available starting November 11, 2022 and never has to be renewed.
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