Free National Park Pass for Military and Veterans
Service members and their dependents get a free annual America the Beautiful pass. Veterans and Gold Star Families get a free lifetime pass. Here's who qualifies, which ID works, what the pass covers, and the fastest way to get it.
UpdatedThe two military passes at a glance
| Military Annual Pass | Military Lifetime Pass | |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Current U.S. Armed Forces members and their dependents | Veterans and Gold Star Families |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Valid | 12 months, through the end of the same month the next year | Lifetime of the pass holder |
| Get it | In person at a federal recreation site, or digital on Recreation.gov | In person, or digital on Recreation.gov; Gold Star Families can also use a voucher |
Military Annual Pass: current service members and dependents
The National Park Service says the free annual pass is for current members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents. Recreation.gov spells out who counts: the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Guard, military cadets, and active reservists (who don't need to be deployed). Inactive reservists, foreign military, NOAA, PHS and civilian contractors or employees are not eligible.
Accepted ID is one of these, unexpired:
- Common Access Card (CAC)
- DD Form 1173 (dependent ID)
- Next Generation Dependent ID
If you order through the USGS Store, note that it says a CAC is not accepted online for verification. Getting it in person or as a digital pass on Recreation.gov avoids that.
Military Lifetime Pass: veterans and Gold Star Families
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, which Recreation.gov defines as people who served in the Armed Forces including the National Guard and Reserves, can get a free lifetime pass. Dependents of retirees or veterans are not eligible for this one. Bring one valid, unexpired form of ID:
- DoD ID: DD Form 2, DD Form 2765, or Next Generation Uniformed Services ID
- Veteran Health Identification Card (see how to get a VHIC)
- Veteran ID Card, which VA has issued only digitally since September 2022 (see how to get a Veteran ID Card)
- A veteran designation on a state-issued driver's license or ID card
A digital pass must be in your name, and the name has to match the ID you show when you use it. Passes can't be transferred or given as gifts.
Gold Star Families
Gold Star Families are the next of kin of a service member who lost their life in a "qualifying situation" as defined in DoD Instruction 1348.36. They self-certify. You can apply for the Military Lifetime Pass online, or print the Gold Star Family voucher from the NPS page and show it to park staff, swap it for a pass in person, or display it on your dashboard at sites that aren't staffed.
How to get the pass
- In person (free): show your ID at one of the federal recreation sites that issue passes. NPS says physical passes are available at more than 1,000 sites.
- Digital on Recreation.gov (free): verify through ID.me, and the pass works right away. A physical card ordered there costs $7.50 shipping. Links: Military Annual and Military Lifetime.
- By mail from the USGS Store: the pass is free, but the store charges processing and handling fees. Its pages listed $12.50 total in October 2026 (one older line still says $10), so check the checkout total.
What it covers, and what it doesn't
The pass covers entrance and standard amenity (day-use) fees on lands run by six agencies: the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Per-vehicle sites: the pass holder and passengers in one non-commercial vehicle, or up to two motorcycles.
- Per-person sites: the pass holder plus 3 adults (16 and older).
- Not covered: camping, parking, special tours, special permits, ferries, reservation and group fees, and concession-run activities.
The pass holder must be there and show photo ID.
What changed in 2026
- Fee-free days are resident-only. Starting in 2026, free entrance on fee-free days is for U.S. citizens and residents only. Veterans Day, November 11, 2026, is on the list, along with Presidents Day (Feb. 16), Memorial Day (May 25), Flag Day (June 14), July 3–5, the NPS birthday (Aug. 25), Constitution Day (Sept. 17) and Theodore Roosevelt's birthday (Oct. 27). Timed-entry or reservation fees may still apply.
- New nonresident pricing. The standard annual pass is $80 for U.S. citizens and residents, and a new Non-Resident Annual Pass costs $250. NPS also lists a $100 per-person nonresident fee at 11 parks, which pass holders don't pay. The free military passes are unchanged.
Disabled veterans: the Access Pass
If you have a permanent disability, the free lifetime Access Pass is another option for U.S. citizens and residents. There's no age requirement and the disability doesn't need to be rated 100%. A document from a federal agency such as VA is accepted as proof. It's free in person; online or mail orders cost $12.50 in fees. For most veterans the Military Lifetime Pass is simpler, since your veteran ID is the only proof needed. Rated veterans can see other benefits in the 100% disabled veteran benefits guide.
Beyond national parks
Federal lands are only part of what's free or discounted for military families. Many state parks, museums and attractions have their own programs, and theme parks such as Disneyland Resort and LEGOLAND California run military ticket offers. The military discounts near me guide explains how to find what's around you.
Sources
National Park Service: Free access for military, veterans and Gold Star Families, Entrance passes and Fee-free days; Recreation.gov: Military Annual and Military Lifetime; USGS Store: Military Pass and Access Pass. All checked October 12, 2026. Basepass is independent and not affiliated with NPS or any federal agency.
Frequently asked questions
Do veterans get a free national park pass?
Yes. The National Park Service says veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and Gold Star Families can get a free Military Lifetime Pass. Recreation.gov defines veterans as people who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves. It is valid for the pass holder's lifetime.
Who qualifies for the free annual military pass?
Current members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents. That includes the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Guard, military cadets and active reservists. Inactive reservists, foreign military, NOAA, PHS and civilian contractors or employees are not eligible for it.
What ID do veterans need for the lifetime pass?
One valid, unexpired ID: a DoD ID (DD Form 2, DD Form 2765 or Next Generation USID), a Veteran Health Identification Card, a Veteran ID Card, or a state driver's license or ID with a veteran designation.
Can I get the military park pass online?
Yes. Recreation.gov offers free digital Military Annual and Military Lifetime passes, verified through ID.me, and a physical card from there costs $7.50 shipping. You can also get a physical pass free in person at federal recreation sites. Mailed orders from the USGS Store carry processing and handling fees.
Does the military pass cover camping?
No. It covers entrance and standard amenity (day-use) fees. Recreation.gov says it does not cover expanded amenity fees such as camping, parking, special tours, special permits or ferries, and concessioners may not accept it.
Is Veterans Day a free day at national parks in 2026?
Yes. November 11, 2026 is on the National Park Service's 2026 fee-free days list. Starting in 2026, free entrance on fee-free days is for U.S. citizens and residents only, and other fees such as timed entry or reservation fees may still apply.
Can military dependents of veterans or retirees get the lifetime pass?
No. Recreation.gov lists dependents of retirees or veterans as not eligible for the Military Lifetime Pass. Dependents of current service members can get the annual Military Pass.
Is Basepass affiliated with the National Park Service?
No. Basepass is independent and not affiliated with the National Park Service, any federal agency or the Department of Defense. Passes are issued only through federal sites, Recreation.gov and the USGS Store.
Find free places near you
Basepass maps parks, museums and attractions that are free or discounted for service members, veterans and families, with the ID each one asks for.
Find free places near me Basepass is independent and not affiliated with the VA, DoD, or any government agency.