National Park Pass for Veterans

Can vets and Gold Star families enter National Parks for free?

Starting on Veterans Day, November 11, 2020, Gold Star Families and U.S. military veterans received free lifetime access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges and other sites managed by the Department of the Interior. Lands and waters managed by the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are also participating in the program. The free access program is a way to thank America’s veterans and Gold Star families for their support of our country and to encourage them to explore recreational opportunities on their public lands and waters.  U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt announced this via a Secretarial Order on October 28, 2020.

The entrance fee waiver does not cover expanded amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, transportation, special recreation permits or special tours.

For purposes of this program, a veteran is identified as an individual who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and is able to present one of the following forms of identification when entering a national park:

·         Department of Defense Identification Card (CAC Card)

·         Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

·         Veteran ID Card

·         Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S. driver’s license or identification card

Before visiting a national park site, Gold Star Family members download and print a voucher to present to the ranger or place on the vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites. 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 (NOK) 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 (Qualifying Situation) and 3.3 (Eligible NOK) of Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36.”

Free access is for the veteran or the holder of the 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 (16 and older) where per person fees are charged. The voucher is non-transferrable and void if altered.  The Access Pass also provides discounts on other things such as camping, swimming, board launching, and guided tours. You can find additional information at the following link: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm  or by calling 888-275-8747 (ASK-USGS).