Starting on November 11, 2022, Veterans Day, a free national park pass for Veterans will be available. Announced by the Biden-Harris administration, U.S. Veterans and Gold Star families are now able to get free lifetime passes to over 2,000 recreation sites and federal parks. The National Park Service wants to show their thanks and appreciation to those who’ve served their country. Suggested read:6 of the Best Disney Discounts, Special Offers, Deals for Veterans

Why a Free National Park Pass for Veterans?

The Department of Defense has long strived to improve the well-being and health of those in the defense industry. They want people to explore recreational sites and public lands and waters. The national park passes cover the costs of either the driver and passengers in the vehicle or the pass holder and three adults (ages 16 and up) at parks that charge per person. This pass and its benefits can be used at any national park in the country. Fees can also be waived for people with a different military national park pass, such as the America the Beautiful pass. The pass can also be used to get access to national wildlife refuges, national forests, grasslands, and any public land that’s managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Bureau of Land Management. Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Department of the Interior, said, “We have a sacred obligation to America’s Veterans. This new lifetime pass is a small demonstration of our nation’s gratitude and support for those who have selflessly served in the U.S. Armed Forces… I’m proud the Department of the Interior can provide Veterans and Gold Star Families opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment from our country’s treasured lands.” Chuck Sams, National Park Service Director, said, “As a Veteran, I know firsthand the many sacrifices that members of the Armed Forces and their families have made in service to our country, and I am thrilled that Gold Star Families and military Veterans can now enjoy lifetime access to national parks and other public lands.” It’s clear the gratitude and appreciation that so many organizations and institutions maintain for our nation’s heroes, and this is but one example of that.

How To Get the New Pass for Free

In order to receive the national parks lifetime pass, Veterans must submit any of the following:

• Veteran ID card.
• Veteran classification on a U.S. driver's license or ID card.
• Veteran health identification card.
• Unexpired Department of Defense ID Card (Next-Generation USID replacement, DD Form 2765, or DD Form 2).

Passes can be ordered online for a $10 fee for shipping and processing or received at a National Park, staffed fee kiosk, or a land agency store for free. Gold Star families are those who lost a family member serving during conflict. These families are also available to receive the lifetime park passes by showing proof of a self-verification form certifying that they are related to that former military member. The form will include confirmation of the individual being next of kin and a signature block. This is the only form of identification that the Gold Star family member will need to show.

Buying Other National Park Passes

If one cannot show proof of identification or has difficulty receiving the pass, there are other passes available for everyone, including the Acadia National Park pass, Rocky Mountain National Park pass, and Glacier National Park pass. While the locations for these passes are exclusive, meaning they’re only for the one park, they still provide access to the park and can be purchased online or in person.

Showing Thanks to Our Veterans

While it doesn’t cover amenities in the national parks and recreation sites, the national park pass for Veterans is still a special way of showing thanks to those who’ve served. If, for any reason, you don’t have access to the lifetime pass, you may still be able to enter for free on certain days throughout the year, such as MLK Day, Veterans Day, National Public Lands Day, and Veterans Day. Read next:8 Great Military Retirement Benefits to Get Your Post-Military Life Started Right