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Claims & Benefits

Free National Parks pass for Veterans, for life

Veterans and Gold Star families get free entrance to national parks and other federal recreation lands. The pass is free for life. Here's what ID to bring.

Who this is for: Veterans, Gold Star family members, and anyone planning a trip with one.

Who gets in free, and what ID to show

Veterans can show any one of these at the entrance, or to get the free lifetime pass:

  • A Department of Defense ID card (including the retiree or Next Generation ID).
  • A Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) from VA.
  • A Veteran ID Card (VIC) from VA.
  • A state driver's license or ID with a Veteran mark on it.
  • Gold Star families: print the Gold Star Voucher from the National Park Service.
Which Veteran ID should I get?

Source: NPS: Free access for Veterans and Gold Star families

How to get the lifetime pass

Ask for it free in person at many national parks and federal recreation sites. You can also get a free digital pass on Recreation.gov, or a physical card mailed for a small shipping fee. The USGS online store charges a processing fee.

It covers entrance and day-use fees. It doesn't cover camping, tours or other extras.

NPS: Veterans free accessAll park passes

Sources: NPS: Free access for Veterans and Gold Star families; NPS: Passes

Getting outside helps

VA funds adaptive sports and outdoor programs, and many Veteran groups run hikes, fishing trips and retreats. Many states also give Veterans free or cheap hunting and fishing licenses and state park passes.

VA adaptive sportsBenefits in your stateVeteran events near you

Questions before your trip

Call the park ahead if you're not sure your ID will work. Your county Veteran service office can help you get a VA ID card.

  • Which of my IDs will the park accept?
  • Does my state give Veterans free park entry or fishing licenses?
Veteran ID cardsFind your county office

Your next step

Community and connectionVeteran events

Official sources

Reviewed against these sources on October 26, 2026. Rules change. Confirm details with the National Park Service before you act on them.

This guide is general education. It does not decide your eligibility, it is not legal or medical advice, and Helping The Brave is not affiliated with the National Park Service or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Keep reading

Eligibility basics

Discharge status, service period and length of service decide which doors are open to you. Understanding them first saves months of guessing.

Disability compensation

A monthly, tax-free payment for conditions connected to your service. The rating is about how much the condition limits you, not how severe it feels.

VA health care

Enrollment puts you in a priority group, and that group decides what you pay. Many Veterans who assume they do not qualify actually do.