National Parks are Free for - Veterans, Active Duty and Gold Star Families

HollywoodBQ

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10:56a, 3/26/23

AG

Apparently they've known about this on the OB since last November.
https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/3341593

I only found out about it on Friday when I went to El Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Adult admission was $10 so I put down my USAA credit card and the Park Ranger asked if I was Active Duty, or a Veteran. I said yes and showed him the Veteran stamp on my driver's license.

He told me that I could bring myself and up to 3 guests for free.

So, instead of $20 for my party of 2, we got in free. I was pretty happy with that and thought I'd share here.

Here are the details from the National Park Service:
https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

Quote:
Who is eligible to get a free Military Lifetime Pass as a veteran?
For purposes of this program, a veteran is identified as an individual who has served in the US Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and is able to present one of the following forms of identification to get the Interagency Military Lifetime Pass when entering a national park:
Unexpired Department of Defense Identification Card (DD Form 2, DD Form 2765, or Next Generation USID replacement)
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Veteran ID Card
Veterans designation on a state-issued US driver's license or identification card

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CanyonAg77

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11:34a, 3/26/23

AG

If you are a non-veteran old fart like me, $20 a year for Senior Pass, or $80 for a lifetime pass.

https://store.usgs.gov/lifetime-senior-pass

Quote:
The Forest Service, the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, USACE, and Bureau of Reclamation honor the Senior Pass at sites where Entrance or Standard Amenity Fee(s) (Day use fees) are charged.
In addition, the Tennessee Valley Authority may honor the Senior Pass for entrance or camping discounts.
Bureau of Land Management http://www.blm.gov
Bureau of Reclamation http://www.usbr.gov
Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov
USDA Forest Service http://www.fs.usda.gov
National Park Service http://www.nps.gov
US Army Corps of Engineers http://www.usace.army.mil

Saved us 50% on a Corps of Engineers RV spot, gets you in free a lot of places

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62strat

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12:20p, 3/27/23

AG

They also have the access pass, $20 for a family with a disabled member/child,
and free passes for 4th graders (and their families)

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BSD

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In reply to CanyonAg77 • 3:23p, 3/27/23

AG

Quote:
$80 for a lifetime pass.

Quite possibly the best deal of anything, anywhere. Even the "regular" season pass is a steal.

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62strat

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In reply to BSD • 3:41p, 3/27/23

AG

BSD said:
Quote:
$80 for a lifetime pass.

Quite possibly the best deal of anything, anywhere. Even the "regular" season pass is a steal.

My parents got in on the senior lifetime park pass back in 2017 when it was $10 right before the price hike to $80 in Aug of that year.

That was the best deal of anything ever.

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/senior-pass-changes.htm

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Aggie@state.gov

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1:42p, 3/28/23

AG

you can buy the pass online if you know your discharge date listed on your DD214.
they charge 10 bucks to mail it out. i just did it online......

schmendeler

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2:33p, 3/28/23

AG

I don't know if they still do it but there was a program a couple years back that allowed 4th graders to visit national parks for free. It also allows their siblings and parents in as well.

Seemed like a cool way to let families enjoy the parks.

schmendeler

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2:34p, 3/28/23

AG

Looks like it runs through 2026?

https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/every-kid-outdoors-program-provides-fourth-grade-students-with-free-entrance-to-public-lands.htm

62strat

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In reply to schmendeler • 3:06p, 3/28/23

AG

schmendeler said:
I don't know if they still do it but there was a program a couple years back that allowed 4th graders to visit national parks for free. It also allows their siblings and parents in as well.

Seemed like a cool way to let families enjoy the parks.

yep, I mentioned it above.

it seems like an honor system.. you can go get a 4th grade pass just by answering a few questions.

https://everykidoutdoors.gov/fourth_graders.htm

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schmendeler

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In reply to 62strat • 3:09p, 3/28/23

AG

Oh, i missed it! Thanks

62strat

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3:51p, 3/28/23

AG

my kids are 1 grade apart, so two consecutive years for us, starting in 24/25.

So far with the kids we've checked off (all road trips)
great sand dunes twice
mesa verde
black canyon of gunnison
arches
canyonlands

this summer we have tetons and yellowstone booked
will hit up Rocky mountain hopefully sometime before our current pass expires in sept.

Hopefully knock off a handful more when it's free!

The location of Denver was a big factor when we decided to move here; I always thought it was great how many unique places and natl parks we can visit that are <12 hour drive.

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