Veterans and Gold Star Families Get Free Lifetime Passes to National Parks

As a veteran founded business (founder Alissa Mensik served in the US Navy from 2004 - 2009 as an Avionics Technician) we were delighted to hear the announcement posted by the National Park Service on Veterans Day 2023 that lifetime passes are now available for current military service members and their dependents, Veterans and Gold Star Families. 

Not only does the Interagency Military Lifetime Pass waive entrance fees for National Park entrances, but extends to 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 as well. 

Veterans and their families 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.

In the past, Veterans and Gold Star Families were able to receive annual passes that had to be renewed each year, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 now authorizes a few LIFETIME pass to national parks and other federal recreational lands that does does not expire. 

How to get your Interagency Pass

Interagency Passes can be obtained in person while visiting a participating site. Visit Places to Get Interagency Passes for a searchable list and be sure to contact the site before you go, to make sure they are open and have passes in stock. In addition, Military passes, as well as those for seniors and persons with permanent disabilities, are available online through the USGS Online Store with an additional processing fee. Existing passes remain valid. You do not need to obtain a new pass if you already have a Lifetime Senior or Access Pass.

For more information about eligibility and passes, visit Free Entrance to National Parks for Veterans and Gold Star Families (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).