America the Beautiful — Veteran & Gold Star Families Lifetime Pass
A free lifetime pass for veterans and Gold Star Family next-of-kin that covers entrance and standard day-use amenity fees at National Park Service, BLM, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Army Corps of Engineers sites — over 2,000 federal recreation sites nationwide.
Who Qualifies
Any veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard and Reserve members (no discharge-character restriction is stated by NPS). Gold Star Family next-of-kin of a service member who died in a qualifying situation (war, international terrorism, or military operations) also qualify.
Proof / Documentation Needed
DoD ID Card (DD Form 2 or 2765, or Next-Gen USID), Veteran Health ID Card (VHIC), VA Veteran ID Card, or a state driver's license/ID with a veteran designation. Gold Star Families self-certify using a printable NPS voucher.
How to Get It
Free in person at any participating federal recreation site with valid ID. Online, request a free digital pass through Recreation.gov (a physical copy ships for $7.50), or order a physical pass through the USGS Store for a $10 processing fee.
What It Covers
Covers entrance and standard day-use amenity fees. Excludes camping, tours, permits, and concession fees. Covers the pass holder plus vehicle occupants at per-vehicle sites, or the holder plus 3 adults at per-person sites.