The Edit: Active duty military, veterans, Gold Star families and military retirees can enter every U.S. national park for free with the America the Beautiful military passes. The Military Annual Pass is for current active duty, reserve and National Guard members, their dependents and cadets with a CAC card or military ID, picked up free at any park entrance or office. The Military Lifetime Pass is for veterans and Gold Star family members and is issued at a park entrance with a veteran ID, a VA health card, a DD 214 or a state ID with the veteran designation. Veterans with a VA disability rating of 10 percent or more qualify for the lifetime Access Pass, which also discounts camping, lodging and some tours. The passes cover the vehicle entrance fee at Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Capitol Reef, White Sands, Mesa Verde and the rest, but not timed entry booking fees. As a retired Air Force veteran, Amanda uses the lifetime pass and our family has saved hundreds of dollars with it.

Military National Park Pass: At a Glance

Detail	What to know
Military Annual Pass	Active duty, reserve, National Guard, dependents and cadets; free; valid one year
Military Lifetime Pass	Veterans and Gold Star families; free for life
Access Pass	Veterans with a 10 percent or higher VA disability rating; free for life; discounts on camping and lodging
What to bring	CAC or military ID, veteran ID, VA health card, DD 214 or state ID with veteran designation
Where to get it	Any national park entrance station or park office, or online through the USGS store for a processing fee
What it covers	Entrance fees for the pass holder and everyone in the vehicle at national parks and federal lands
What it does not cover	Timed entry booking fees, state parks, tours and camping fees (the Access Pass discounts some)
Parks we have used it at	Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Capitol Reef, Mesa Verde, White Sands, Saguaro, Grand Canyon
Utah state parks	Not included, but Utah gives veterans 50 percent off day use fees

Summer is just around the corner, and if you’re planning a family adventure, here’s a travel tip that will save you hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars. Did you know that active-duty military, veterans, and their dependents can access U.S. National Parks for free?

Whether you’re visiting iconic places like Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, or Yosemite, the National Park Service offers free entry with passes that could seriously help your travel budget this summer. This is a great perk for military families who want to explore the beauty of our nation’s parks without worrying about entrance fees.

What You Need to Know About the Military Passes

Military Annual Pass

This pass is available for current U.S. military members (active duty, reserve, and National Guard) and their dependents. It’s a great way to enjoy unlimited access to national parks all year long.

• Who qualifies: Active-duty military members, their dependents, and U.S. cadets with a valid CAC card or military ID.
• How to get it: Just visit a national park office with your ID to grab your free annual pass. It’s that simple!

Military Lifetime Pass

Veterans, Gold Star families, and U.S. military retirees can also enjoy free lifetime access to national parks.

• Who qualifies: U.S. veterans with a valid veteran ID or veterans’ designation on a state-issued ID card.
• How to get it: Just present your ID at a park entrance, and you’re good to go!

Access Pass for Veterans with Disabilities

If you’re a veteran with a disability rating of 10% or more, you’re eligible for a lifetime Access Pass. This pass gives you not only free entry to national parks but also discounts on camping, lodging, and even guided tours!

• Who qualifies: Veterans with a disability rating of 10% or more, including those who receive benefits from the VA.
• How to get it: Bring a valid veteran ID or medical documentation when you visit a park or apply online for the pass.

Why This Is a Game Changer for Military Families

As a military family, we know travel can be expensive. But these free passes have made exploring some of the most beautiful places in the U.S. so much more affordable. My family has saved hundreds just by using these passes over the years. It’s truly one of the best perks available for military families.

Imagine the adventures your family could have in 2025 with the ability to visit all those National Parks without paying an entrance fee. Summer trips to places like Arches National Park or the Olympic National Park could be at the top of your bucket list—and thanks to these free passes, they’re much more affordable!

Military National Park Pass FAQ

How to Get a Military National Park Pass

• Active-duty military: Visit any park office with your military ID to get your free annual pass.
• Veterans: Present your veteran ID at a park entrance for a free lifetime pass.
• Veterans with disabilities: If you have a disability rating of 10% or more, you qualify for the Access Pass, which includes additional perks like discounts.

Let’s make 2025 the year you explore the great outdoors and create lasting memories with your family. Be sure to share this with anyone who needs to know about these amazing benefits! Also available to share on youtube.

For more details on how to get your passes, visit the National Park Service website.