◆ State park benefits · all 50 states · verified 2026-07-21
Veteran State Park Discounts by State
State park veteran benefits vary enormously — some states waive entry for every veteran, some only for a 100% disabled rating, some only offer a camping discount, and a few (Iowa, Missouri, Pennsylvania) already charge no entrance fee to anyone. Each state below was researched against its own official parks/DNR site. States with a flagged note have a program that\'s ambiguous or actively changing — check the source link before relying on it.
50 states — tap any state for full details
Alabama
Free admission year-round via the "Parks for Patriots" program.
Alaska
Free 5-year camping pass for disabled veterans.
Arizona
100% disabled veterans get free entry year-round; retired/disabled veterans get 50% off day-use.
Arkansas
50% off camping for individuals with a 100% disability rating.
California
Distinguished Veteran Pass gives free day-use, camping, and boat use.
Colorado
Free entry for disabled-veteran/Purple Heart plate holders; an "Independence Pass" gives CO-resident disabled veterans unlimited a…
Connecticut
Free "Disabled Veteran Pass" valid at a limited list of parks.
Delaware
No veteran-specific state park discount found. Disabled residents (not veteran-exclusive) can use the federal America the Beautifu…
Florida
Free lifetime pass for veterans with a service-related injury; 25% off an annual pass for current/retired military and veterans ge…
Georgia
25% off the ParkPass and accommodations for disabled-veteran GA residents; 25% off an annual ParkPass for active military/veterans…
Hawaii
No veteran or disabled-veteran discount or fee waiver found.
Idaho
Exemption from the daily motorized-vehicle entrance fee for 100% disabled veterans.
Illinois
No camping fee (any day) for disabled veterans or former POWs. Most Illinois state parks already have no general entrance fee.
Indiana
Disabled veterans can buy a discounted annual "Disabled Hoosier Veteran Pass" ($25/yr, unlimited admission); all veterans get free…
⚠ verify before relying on this
Iowa
No veteran-specific discount found — moot for day-use since Iowa state parks have no general entrance fee for anyone (only camping…
Kansas
No state-park-specific veteran discount found. Disabled veterans (30%+) qualify for free hunting/fishing licenses, a separate prog…
Kentucky
Free lodge/cottage/campsite accommodation (self only) for 100% disabled KY-resident veterans; a 10–15% military discount on lodgin…
Louisiana
Free admission (site plus one private vehicle) for disabled veterans; 50% off day-use for active duty plus one family member; 15% …
Maine
Free lifetime day-use "Veterans Pass" (covers spouse/children when accompanied); a separate free-camping program exists for disabl…
Maryland
Day-use entrance charges waived for all veterans, resident and non-resident.
Massachusetts
Free parking for Disabled Veteran/Purple Heart/disability plate holders, regardless of residency; free parking for all visitors on…
Michigan
A free Recreation Passport (required for park entry) is available to Medal of Honor recipients, 100% disabled veterans, and former…
⚠ verify before relying on this
Minnesota
Free year-round vehicle permit (unlimited access to all MN state parks) for veterans with any service-connected disability, active…
Mississippi
15% off camping/lodging for seniors, disabled persons, veterans, and active service members (not veteran-exclusive); a $10/night V…
Missouri
All Missouri state parks are already free entry for everyone, so there is no veteran-specific day-use benefit needed. A $2/night c…
Montana
No dedicated free/discounted entrance for veterans as such — MT residents already pay no daily entrance fee (covered by a $9 vehic…
Nebraska
Free Disabled Veteran's Lifetime Annual Park Entry Permit.
Nevada
Disabled Veteran Annual Permit ($30/yr) gives free entry, boating, and camping. A separate flat $1 discount off the daily entrance…
New Hampshire
Free day-use admission for resident veterans with any federal VA disability rating; active-duty (any residency) also get free day-…
New Jersey
Free entry to all NJ state parks and forests.
New Mexico
Free lifetime day-use and camping pass — a July 1, 2025 law replaced the old disabled-only annual pass.
New York
Lifetime Liberty Pass gives free vehicle entry to state parks, DEC campgrounds/day-use areas, boat launches, historic sites, and a…
North Carolina
Free Annual Pass under NC Law 2024-45 — a disability-specific benefit, not for all veterans.
North Dakota
Free lifetime entrance permit for veterans with 50%+ disability or former POWs; other disabled veterans (under 50%) may buy a disc…
Ohio
No blanket free-entrance law (moot anyway — ODNR doesn't charge general entrance fees to anyone). Free camping pass for 100% disab…
Oklahoma
Free admission to all state-owned parks and museums for honorably discharged veterans — not limited to disabled veterans.
Oregon
Special Access Pass gives free day-use and free tent/RV/horse camping (up to 4 nights at a park, or 4 nights per month total).
Pennsylvania
No documented veteran-specific benefit found. PA state parks charge no general entrance/day-use fee to any visitor, so there's not…
⚠ verify before relying on this
Rhode Island
Free State Park Disability Pass gives free entry/parking at state-owned recreational facilities and beaches.
South Carolina
Half-price Annual "All Park Passport" — a general disability discount that 100%-VA-rated disabled veterans qualify for, not a vete…
South Dakota
Free lifetime Park Entrance License plus a 50% discount on camping/electrical fees.
Tennessee
No general entrance fee for anyone. Camping/cabin discounts: 25% off in-season, 50% off off-season for resident veterans; 50% off …
Texas
Free entry for all honorably discharged veterans via the Veterans Parklands Passport (no disability requirement); a separate Disab…
Utah
Veterans with Disabilities Honor Pass gives day-use admittance only. The program is mid-update as of 2026; prior-year passes remai…
⚠ verify before relying on this
Vermont
Green Mountain Passport: a one-time $2 lifetime pass for free day admission to VT state parks and historic sites (no disability ra…
Virginia
Disabled Veteran's Passport gives free entry (no parking/admission fee) plus 50% off camping, swimming, picnic-shelter rentals, an…
Washington
Lifetime Disabled Veteran Pass gives free day-use parking (no Discover Pass needed), free boat launch/trailer dump, and free campi…
West Virginia
No free-entrance program found for veterans or disabled veterans. Only a 10% discount (code VETS10) on lodge rooms/cabins/campsite…
Wisconsin
Free State Park/Forest/Trail Pass for higher-rated disabled veterans/former POWs; a discounted $7 Disabled Veteran Recreation Card…
Wyoming
Free day-use entrance for all honorably discharged veterans (no WY residency required); a separate Lifetime Veteran's Permit gives…