Good for over 2000 Federal Recreation Sites

A free, lifetime Access pass, plus a $10 handling fee, is available to anyone who has a permanent disability (does not have to be a 100% disability) from the VA. This pass provides admittance to more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by five Federal agencies.

This is an $80.00 value good for a life time!! The application process is simple. You may apply for the pass through the mail or appear in person at a recreation site. 

Go to: https://store.usgs.gov/s3fs-public/access_pass_application.pdf  for the instructions, documents you need, and the application form. Fill out the application along with a copy of your annual VA letter that confirms your disability and a copy of your driver’s license with $10 handling charge to the address given on the application form and they will mail you the Access Pass. 

The pass may be ordered at https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass   After ordering and paying $10, you are then instructed to upload your documents. 

You may obtain this pass free (without handling charges) at any Federal Recreation site. Passes are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE, and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen.

Passes for Active Duty Military may be obtained at the Federal Recreation areas: Free admission at sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees for one full year from the month obtained (through last day of that month).

What is the difference between the Interagency Military-Annual and Military-Lifetime Pass?

The Interagency Military Pass has been part of the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Series since 2012. On December 27, 2021, President Biden signed into law S. 1605 “The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022” (NDAA). Section 641 of the NDAA makes Gold Star families and veterans eligible for lifetime passes to federal recreational lands. The Interagency Military-Lifetime Pass can be issued to Gold Star families and U.S. military veterans. The Military-Annual Pass can be issued to current U.S. military and dependents.

Who qualifies for the Interagency Military-Lifetime Pass and what documentation is required?

1. Gold Star Families

• Gold Star Families are next of kin of a member of the United States Armed Forces who lost his or her life in a “qualifying situation,” such as a war, an international terrorist attack, or a military operation outside of the United States while serving with the United States Armed Forces, as explained in Department of Defense Instruction 1348.36
• Gold Star Family members must self-certify by applying for a Military-Lifetime Pass online at https://store.usgs.gov/MilitaryPass or downloading and printing a special voucher to either present to the ranger, exchange for a Military Pass in person, or place on the vehicle dashboard at unstaffed sites. Gold Star Vouchers may be downloaded from https://www.nps.gov/customcf/goldstar/voucher.htm

2. Veterans

• Individuals who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, and are able to present one of the following valid non-expired forms of identification when entering or using federal lands:

1) Department of Defense Identification Card (CAC Card, DD Form 2, DD Form 2765)

2) Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

3) Veteran ID Card

4) Veterans designation on a state-issued U.S.driver’s license or identification card

• When acquiring a pass in person, the actual IDs listed above must be presented. As of September 2022, the VA only provides a digital version of the #3 Veteran ID Card. When acquiring a pass online, photocopies or digital images are accepted. Form DD-214 is not accepted.

Are passes available to disabled veterans or other people with disabilities?

Yes. The Interagency Access Pass is a lifetime pass that is free for any US citizen or permanent resident who has a medically determined permanent disability, including veterans. Review the Access Pass section for additional details.

For further information, please see https://store.usgs.gov/MilitaryPass

For additional questions see https://store.usgs.gov/faq#US-Military