America the Beautiful Military Lifetime and Annual Passes

A free lifetime pass to national parks, wildlife refuges, national forests and other federal lands for every U.S. military veteran and Gold Star family, and a free annual pass for current members and dependents.

Also called: national parks pass, military pass, lifetime pass, Gold Star pass, federal recreation lands, Interagency Pass.

For: Veteran or service member, spouse, child, survivor.

Where it applies

Applies in states and territories.

Federal

The Interagency Military Lifetime Pass is free to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and to Gold Star family members. The Military Annual Pass is free to current members of the armed forces and their dependents. Either pass covers entrance and standard amenity, or day-use, fees at national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests and grasslands, and other sites managed by the Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers. It does not cover camping, tours or other expanded amenity fees, though some sites discount them. A veteran shows a Veteran ID Card, a Veteran Health Identification Card, a veteran designation on a state driver's license or ID, or a DoD ID card. A Gold Star family member downloads a voucher. The lifetime pass is available at federal recreation sites and online.

Thresholds

Thresholds for America the Beautiful Military Lifetime and Annual Passes
Gate	Rule
Veteran or Gold Star family	Any veteran, including Guard and Reserve; current members and dependents for the annual pass.

Documents the source lists

What the official source lists for an application, and where to get each document. It is a reference read from the source, not a full list of what the office may ask for; check with the office or an accredited representative before you apply. Needed means the source asks for it; Helps means the source calls it optional or says it speeds things up.

Needed One of: a DoD ID card, a Veteran Health Identification Card, a Veteran ID Card, or a state driver’s license or ID with a veteran designation
For a veteran’s lifetime pass.
Where to get it VA issues the VHIC and the Veteran ID Card; a RAPIDS office issues the DoD ID; your state’s motor vehicle agency adds the designation.
Listed by National Park Service, free access for veterans and Gold Star families read 2026-10-10
Needed Gold Star Voucher
For a Gold Star family member.
Where to get it Print it from the National Park Service page.
Listed by National Park Service, free access for veterans and Gold Star families read 2026-10-10

Sources

Free entrance for current military, veterans and Gold Star familiesOfficial
Entrance passesOfficial

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-08.

What changed then:

First published.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.