National Park Service
National Park Service Military Veteran Discount
| Discount | Eligibility | Verify |
| Free Annual or Lifetime Pass | – Military Members – Reserve – Dependents – Gold Star Families | Military or Veteran ID |
Click on the image below to take advantage of the Military Veteran Discount at National Park Service.
National Park Service Military Discount
The National Park Service offers eligible members of the U.S. military community free Annual or Lifetime Military Passes providing access to national parks and thousands of other federal recreation sites.
Current U.S. military members and their dependents are eligible for the free Military Annual Pass.
U.S. military veterans and eligible Gold Star Families are eligible for the free Military Lifetime Pass.
Military Annual Pass
Current members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents can receive a free Military Annual Pass.
Eligible service members include members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Space Force, as well as National Guard and Reserve members.
The pass can be obtained for free in person at participating federal recreation sites by presenting qualifying military identification.
Military Lifetime Pass
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and eligible Gold Star Families can receive a free Military Lifetime Pass.
Veterans can obtain the pass in person using qualifying proof of veteran status, including a Department of Defense identification card, Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), Veteran ID Card, or veteran designation on a state-issued driver’s license or identification card.
Eligible Gold Star Family members can use the required Gold Star Family Voucher.
What Does the Pass Cover?
The Military Annual and Lifetime Passes cover entrance fees and standard amenity day-use fees at federal recreation lands managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
At locations charging a vehicle entrance fee, the pass covers the pass holder and occupants of a single private, non-commercial vehicle or up to two motorcycles. At locations charging per-person entrance fees, it covers the pass holder and up to three additional people age 16 or older.
The Military Pass does not generally cover camping, tours, special recreation permits, reservation fees, organized group fees, or concession-operated facilities and activities.
Passes can also be obtained online through Recreation.gov or ordered from the USGS Store. Although the pass itself is free, shipping or processing charges may apply when requesting a physical pass online.
Last Verified: September 4, 2026
This military benefit was independently reviewed and verified by MilitaryVeteranDiscounts.com using current information from the National Park Service. Pass eligibility, identification requirements, covered fees, and program terms may change without notice.
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