Veterans & Gold Star Families get free lifetime passes to National Parks, wildlife refuges, other public lands

Not sure where to post this but thought it was a good to know for all our Veterans (myself included) and Gold Star families.

"On Veterans Day 2022, the National Park Service will unveil a lifetime pass providing free entrance to national parks for Veterans and their families. The Inter-agency Military Lifetime Pass waives entrance fees for the National Park Service and 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 for current military service members and their dependents, Veterans and Gold Star Families.

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.

The Military Pass has been expanded to include a pass that does not expire for Veterans and Gold Star Family members. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 authorized a free lifetime pass to national parks and other federal recreational lands for eligible Veterans and Gold Star Families. In recent years, they were able to receive annual passes."

https://news.va.gov/110751/free-lifetime-pass-to-national-parks/

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

https://store.usgs.gov/MilitaryPass

I got that email over the weekend. There's of course comments that you have make sure the facility you're going to is open and has passes to give out, and then have the proper ID. Don't just roll up thinking the "veteran" label on your drivers license is enough. But if you visit national parks, this is great. Texas has always given vets access to state parks btw

The veteran ID is enough to get you the pass though.

SubmarineNuke said:

I got that email over the weekend. There's of course comments that you have make sure the facility you're going to is open and has passes to give out, and then have the proper ID. Don't just roll up thinking the "veteran" label on your drivers license is enough. But if you visit national parks, this is great. Texas has always given vets access to state parks btw

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The “ Veterans” status on my license was enough to prove veteran status. If you mean one has to go through the process upon entry to any Fed park to receive a yearly veterans pass at the initial entry then that is true. The only thing “ new” with this is the ending of the “need to renew every year” veterans pass and the creation of a lifetime pass.

SubmarineNuke said:

I got that email over the weekend. There's of course comments that you have make sure the facility you're going to is open and has passes to give out, and then have the proper ID. Don't just roll up thinking the "veteran" label on your drivers license is enough. But if you visit national parks, this is great. Texas has always given vets access to state parks btw

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You can order the pass as well from the usgs link I posted, if you do it that way it's $10 to cover the fee/mailing cost but well worth it.

I received mine yesterday and took the opportunity to grab a new patch for the headliner.

This is the least we can do for all of our current military and Vets!!!

Ordered mine.

BroncoSarge said:

Ordered mine.

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Same.

69rancherogt said:

This is the least we can do for all of our current military and Vets!!!

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100% truth...sent link to brother that was first boots on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq rappelling out of Blackhawks.

Compta38 said:

100% truth...sent link to brother that was first boots on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq rappelling out of Blackhawks.

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I have 2 sisters and their husbands with 99 years of combined service to our country. I sent this link to them yesterday and none were aware of it

Billnchristy said:

The veteran ID is enough to get you the pass though.

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Yep. I’ll get a pass, but an ID has always worked to get in free at any National park I’ve visited.

Thanks for the info! Ordered.

I'm planning on stopping at Fort Pickens when I am down home for thanksgiving and picking one up.

I picked up https://store.usgs.gov/product/519543 a few years back, but ordered my Vet card today.

BTW, you can get them replaced if you lose them, but it's $10 every time.